Vietnamese firms urged to tap Muslim markets with Halal products

With nearly two billion Muslims world-wide and demand for Halal products being worth around US$2.3 trillion annually, there is potentially a huge market for Vietnamese firms to exploit, experts have said.

vietnamese firms urged to tap muslim markets with halal products hinh 0
Vietnamese firms showcase their products at a recent Halal exhibition in Malaysia. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoang Nhuong

According to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the global Halal industry is forecast to be worth US$3.6 trillion by 2021, with food and drink accounting for US$2 trillion.

Halal refers to any action or behaviour that is permissible in Islam, and requires animals to be slaughtered in a particular way and after a prayer.

Muslim countries with large demand are the UAE, Kuwait, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The UAE is the second largest economy in the Middle East, a regional commercial and financial centre and the third largest transshipment hub and re-export centre globally.

It has huge demand for various products, with its imports being worth US$265 billion last year.

Kuwait also needs to import all sorts of goods because of its unfavourable conditions in terms of land and workers.

But so far, the market share of Vietnamese products in these countries remains modest.

For instance, Vietnam’s share of the UAE’s imports last year was less than 2% at US$5 billion.

According to experts, demand in the market is increasing, offering Vietnamese firms a great chance to boost exports of products such as tea, coffee, dried and canned fruits, canned drinks, and charcoal.

Their exports to Kuwait are worth only US$70-75 million out of a total of US$30 billion.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hang, head of the marketing division at the Halal Certification Agency in Vietnam, said this market does not have technical and tariff barriers like the US or EU but requires strict Halal standards.

Tran Phan Te, general director of Lai Phu Joint Stock Company which has exported products to Muslim markets in the Middle East, said to obtain Halal certification, companies must undergo a food processing procedures audit.

Hang said many businesses only know that Halal products are those not tainted by pork but do not know they must also meet other requirements.

Since there are very few Muslims in Vietnam, local companies are still not familiar with Halal standards, which are different in each country, complicating the issue somewhat, she said.

But she and many other experts encouraged Vietnamese businesses to understand Halal requirements to step up exports to Muslim countries.

VNS

Other News

Data-driven land valuation to curb speculation: Experts

Data-driven land valuation to curb speculation: Experts

From a property-market perspective, Do Thi Thu Giang, National Director of Valuation and Advisory at Savills Vietnam, said the orientations under Resolution No. 21-NQ/TW could make the market more transparent and efficient, with property values increasingly tied to actual development and use potential.

Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW sets new growth drivers for Vietnam

Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW sets new growth drivers for Vietnam

Science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and AI must be translated into higher productivity rather than pursued as ends in themselves. At the same time, people should be placed at the centre of development, not merely viewed as a resource but as the ultimate objective of development policies.

Expo to open door for Vietnamese suppliers to enter US market

Expo to open door for Vietnamese suppliers to enter US market

US retail giant Target is seeking Vietnamese suppliers of household goods, home textiles, children’s products, personal care and beauty products, with a focus on companies capable of manufacturing and developing products that meet requirements on quality, design and supply chain management.

2026 Banking Sector Digital Transformation to open in Hanoi

2026 Banking Sector Digital Transformation to open in Hanoi

The annual event, which will be held on August 18-19, 2026, at the ICE International Exhibition Centre, 91 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi, is expected to attract around 324 delegates and feature 21 booths representing credit institutions, payment intermediary service providers, and technology companies.

Vietnam – one of most attractive destinations for leading US semiconductor companies: expert

Vietnam – one of most attractive destinations for leading US semiconductor companies: expert

Vietnam has built a solid semiconductor and electronics industry before joining ITSI, attracting major US semiconductor companies. Intel Products Vietnam is one of Intel's largest assembly and testing facilities worldwide, while chip design companies such as Synopsys, Cadence, Marvell and Qualcomm have established engineering and research centres in the Southeast Asian country.

Vietnam targets higher-quality FDI under Resolution 10

Vietnam targets higher-quality FDI under Resolution 10

During the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam attracted more than 38 billion USD in registered FDI, up nearly 58% year-on-year. More importantly, the increase was driven by large-scale, high-tech projects rather than a surge in the number of new investments, signalling a significant improvement in the quality of capital inflows.

Manufacturing, engineering drive hiring growth in H1: report

Manufacturing, engineering drive hiring growth in H1: report

Manufacturing and engineering posted the strongest recruitment growth, with hiring demand surging 70% year-on-year, driven by production expansion, supply chain restructuring and sustained investment inflows in high-tech manufacturing.

Government proposes special mechanisms to unblock APEC 2027 projects in Phu Quoc

Government proposes special mechanisms to unblock APEC 2027 projects in Phu Quoc

The projects in Phu Quoc have been implemented under tight deadlines. Since May 2025, the Prime Minister has directed preparations for APEC 2027, including accelerated infrastructure development on the special zone. An Giang province and investors have subsequently launched a number of major projects involving complex technical requirements and demanding construction schedules.

Financial market reform plan targets high, sustained growth through 2045

Financial market reform plan targets high, sustained growth through 2045

The plan seeks to develop a balanced and modern financial market that is closely integrated with regional and global markets, strengthens the mobilisation and allocation of domestic and foreign capital, and enhances the market’s role as a key provider of medium- and long-term capital for the economy and as a major driver of sustained high economic growth.

An Giang aims to become leading maritime economic hub

An Giang aims to become leading maritime economic hub

Under the province's master plan for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050, An Giang will prioritise investment in five strategic sectors: strategic infrastructure; processing industries and clean energy; trade, services, logistics and border-gate economy; high-quality tourism; and high-tech agriculture, ecological development and the circular economy.