Hanoi launches first Halal promotion and experience center

On May 15, the Institute for Industry and Trade Strategy and Policy Studies, in coordination with the Hanoi Green Cooperative (HalalViet), held the launch ceremony of the HalalViet Promotion and Experience Center, along with an international scientific conference titled “The Halal market - A growth key for Vietnamese businesses.”

The event brought together leaders from agencies under the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; representatives of central ministries, agencies, and departments; provincial Departments of Industry and Trade; embassies of Islamic countries; international Halal organizations; experts and scientists; as well as a large number of businesses in manufacturing, import-export, and representatives of news agencies and the press.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoi, Director of the Institute for Industry and Trade Strategy and Policy Studies (Ministry of Industry and Trade), affirmed:

"Viet Nam, with its advantages in agricultural products, food, industrial manufacturing, and its potential in tourism and services, is facing a major opportunity to expand exports to the Islamic market. The development of the Halal industry will also promote growth in supporting sectors such as logistics, transportation, and preservation. At the same time, it presents an opportunity to attract investment flows from member countries of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) as well as Muslim tourists to do business and travel in Viet Nam, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development in the coming years." 

The global Halal market is witnessing remarkable growth, reaching trillions of USD, expanding from food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals to service sectors such as tourism, logistics, and e-commerce. The current Halal consumption trend is no longer limited to Muslim communities; it is also gaining attention from a wide range of consumers for its strict quality standards, which serve as a benchmark for transparency, safety, and sustainable development.

However, businesses entering this market still face challenges, including investment in production lines and equipment to meet Halal standards and regulations; a lack of connection platforms, information, and a synchronized ecosystem for Halal products; and especially the complexity of certification procedures, which vary across different markets and require compliance with specific Halal certification processes.

Ms. Ba Thi Nguyet Thu, Director of the Hanoi Green Cooperative, said that HalalViet aims to contribute to building an integrated ecosystem for Vietnamese enterprises, ranging from raw material zones, research, and deep processing to commerce, logistics, and Halal tourism.

“We expect that Viet Nam will not only serve as a supplier of raw materials, but will gradually become a hub for high-value-added Halal processing, a center for innovation and Halal standardization in the region, and an important link in the global Halal supply chain,” Ms. Thu said.

HalalViet is committed to supporting businesses with real value, real capacity, and real connectivity. It also hopes to continue receiving support from regulatory agencies, international organizations, and the business community to jointly build a reputable, professional, and sustainable Halal ecosystem in Viet Nam.

This space is positioned as a connectivity hub, showcasing products and offering an immersive experience of Halal culture. In terms of expertise, the program serves as a platform for standards consultancy, certification support, and capacity building to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises and cooperatives. At the same time, it represents a pioneering step in digital transformation by developing an e-commerce platform to connect B2B and B2C networks globally.

Within the conference framework, experts and business representatives engaged in in-depth discussions on global Halal market trends and technical barriers in these markets. The discussions also covered solutions for meeting Halal standards, certification and traceability requirements, building transparent supply chains, and applying innovation in production.

The international scientific conference also addressed challenges arising from the lack of a synchronized supporting ecosystem, while highlighting opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises.

HalalViet Promotion and Experience Center is the first in Viet Nam. This is a pioneering step toward positioning Viet Nam as a regional hub for Halal production and supply in Southeast Asia, and a significant advancement in the country’s deeper integration into the global Halal trade ecosystem.