Strengthening international cooperation to develop Vietnam’s Halal market

On the afternoon of November 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs chaired an online mid-term review conference for the national project “Project on Strengthening International Cooperation to Build and Develop Vietnam’s Halal Industry  until 2030.” The meeting gathered representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, industry associations, experts, manufacturers, and leading agrifood exporters.

In Dong Nai, Nguyen Viet Thang, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Foreign Affairs, chaired the session.

Nguyen Viet Thang, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Foreign Affairs, chairs the conference at the Dong Nai provincial site. Photo: B. Nguyen

According to data shared at the conference, the global Muslim population reached 2 billion in 2024 and is projected to rise to 2.2 billion by 2030, accounting for one-third of the world’s population. The global Halal market is currently valued at USD 2 trillion and is expected to reach USD 3 trillion by 2030.

To date, approximately 1,000 Vietnamese enterprises have entered or are preparing to enter the Halal market. Among them are several major corporations in the agriculture and food sectors, which are playing a leading role in driving Vietnam’s agricultural exports into this expanding market. Experts noted that the Halal market remains largely untapped, particularly in the areas of agricultural and food products.

The conference focused on advancing the effective implementation of Vietnam’s national plan titled “Strengthening International Cooperation to Develop the Halal Industry by 2030.” Delegates emphasized the urgent need to finalize a legal framework and regulations related to Halal standards. Key solutions discussed included improving information exchange, promoting trade, and supporting domestic enterprises in accessing and expanding exports to Halal markets.

Participants also addressed persistent barriers such as limited awareness and insufficient training among Vietnamese businesses regarding this emerging market. Discussions highlighted the importance of tailored support for enterprises and high-potential agricultural products, the development of dedicated farming and livestock zones for Halal production, and the establishment of a unified legal and regulatory system to manage Halal-certified products and services in alignment with international standards.

Nguyen Phuong Tra, Director General of the Department of Middle East - Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the conference attracted a wide range of constructive feedback. She affirmed that the ministry would take all contributions into account to ensure the effective implementation of the national plan titled “Strengthening International Cooperation to Develop the Halal Industry in Vietnam by 2030.”

Tra also emphasized that active coordination among the government, ministries, and relevant agencies, working in tandem with the business sector, will play a crucial role in advancing the plan during this new phase.

Binh Nguyen – Translated by Thien Kim, Minho