Vietnam’s strategic push into the Middle East halal market is paving the way for the growth of its own Muslim-friendly tourism sector.
In 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar to strengthen Vietnam’s position as a key supplier of halal-compliant products to the Middle East, while also highlighting its potential for Muslim-friendly tourism.
Aligned with the national project, “Strengthening International Cooperation to Build and Develop Vietnam’s Halal Industry by 2030,” Vietnam is leveraging its agricultural strengths to become a trusted halal hub, expanding into tourism.
Setting the standards beyond “xin chào”
A key milestone is the introduction of Vietnam’s National Standard TCVN 14230:2024, guiding tourism stakeholders in adopting Muslim-friendly practices. “Muslim-friendly tourism is not just about food,” said Tran Phong Binh, deputy director of the Tourism Marketing Division at the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism. “It’s about cultural sensitivity, appropriate service, and creating an environment where Muslim tourists feel welcomed and respected.
“This includes providing halal food, prayer facilities, toilets with water features, and removing alcohol from minibars – ensuring convenience without discomfort or discrimination.”
Looking ahead, Vietnam aims to ensure the sustainable growth of its Muslim-friendly tourism sector by aligning it with broader national goals. “Our long-term plan is to link halal tourism development with sustainable tourism and green tourism initiatives,” Binh added.
Halal certification
Vietnam’s efforts are supported by the Vietnam Halal Certification Authority (HALCERT), established in April 2024 under the Vietnam Certification Centre (QUA-CERT). HALCERT provides halal certification services and guides local businesses to meet international standards.
“Vietnam is making notable strides in developing Muslim-friendly services,” noted HALCERT director Ramlan Osman. “We’ve had productive engagements with provincial governments, and Ha Long City has shown strong interest, with at least nine hotels and food outlets enhancing their Muslim-friendly offerings.”
HALCERT is also collaborating with Ha Long University to introduce courses on halal standards and Muslim-friendly hospitality. In Hanoi, plans are underway to launch Muslim-friendly training programmes with Hanoi Tourism this month.
Tour operators ready to roll
Local tour operators like Venus Travel Vietnam are curating Muslim-friendly packages beyond offering halal meals. Sales manager Lưu Thị Phương Linh shared, “We’ve invested in capacity building by having our staff attend Muslim-friendly tourism workshops. We also encourage feedback from Muslim guests to continuously improve services.”
Linh hopes for continued support from national tourism authorities and stakeholders to strengthen training programmes, ensuring Vietnam’s tourism industry meets the diverse needs of Muslim travellers.