A USD 2 Trillion Market, Yet Vietnamese Businesses Still Struggle to Access It

At the international conference “Market Trends and Export Opportunities for Vietnamese Agricultural and Processed Food Products in Halal Markets,” held under Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 (VIS 2025), experts affirmed that Vietnam has significant potential to become a regional center for Halal-certified processing and supply.

Nevertheless, according to Hồ Thị Quyên – Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) – Halal certification activities in Vietnam remain fragmented, lacking effective coordination among relevant agencies. Vietnam still lacks internationally recognized Halal certification bodies, making it difficult for enterprises to verify compliance, conduct quality assessments, and manage logistics in accordance with strict Halal standards.

She emphasized that Vietnam also lacks human resources with deep expertise in Halal value chains, from production and processing to packaging, distribution, and marketing.

Business networking at Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 – Photo: VIS

From the perspective of Vietnam’s overseas trade missions, Phạm Thế Cường – Commercial Counselor of Vietnam in Indonesia – noted that most Vietnamese food and agricultural processors are small and medium-sized enterprises, with limited management capacity and insufficient resources to meet Halal standards.

However, he stressed that Halal could become a “strategic gateway” for Vietnamese products to access the 2.2 billion Muslim consumers worldwide. In Indonesia alone, rapid growth in e-commerce creates opportunities for Vietnamese Halal products to expand exports through online channels or via local distributors familiar with import licensing and market regulations.

Islamic Economies Seek New Suppliers – A Window of Opportunity for Vietnam

From the Middle East, Mohammed Alfawaz – Chairman of Saudi Food Industry – noted that Vietnam has established a Halal certification body (HALCERT) and is advancing mutual recognition agreements with major global Halal certification organizations. He considers Vietnam a promising destination within Gulf countries’ efforts to diversify supply sources, which have long relied on Malaysia, Brazil, and India.

Saudi Arabia’s Halal market was valued at around USD 60 billion in 2024, with 85–95% of food products imported—indicating substantial demand for credible Halal-certified suppliers. In this context, Vietnam holds advantages in agricultural diversity, competitive costs, and increasingly sophisticated processing capacity.

Data from Vietnam Customs show that two-way trade between Vietnam and Muslim-majority economies reached USD 24.7 billion in the first seven months of 2025, with exports accounting for USD 10.9 billion. Yet this remains a small fraction of the global Halal market, estimated at more than USD 2 trillion.

Vietnamese Businesses Begin to Adapt, But Long-Term Strategy Is Essential

Many Vietnamese enterprises have invested in improving production processes, applying international standards, and upgrading quality control and traceability systems. Vietnamese products—from seafood, coffee, and rice to processed foods—are gradually expanding their presence in Indonesia, Malaysia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Hằng – Marketing Director of the Halal Certification Agency (HCA Vietnam) – noted that Halal is not merely a required permit but a “golden passport” that elevates the value and brand reputation of Vietnamese products.

Afriansyah Noor – Vice Chairman of Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) – stated that Indonesia, with annual Halal food spending exceeding USD 155 billion, is among the most promising markets for Vietnamese goods, thanks to geographic proximity, lower logistics costs, and improving supply capabilities.

In the Middle East, demand is even stronger. Key Vietnamese exports such as seafood, rice, coffee, processed foods, and cosmetics are considered well-suited to Halal market requirements and consumer preferences.

Many Vietnamese product groups are increasingly favored in Halal markets.

Can Vietnam Become a Global Halal Hub?

Experts broadly agree that Vietnam is in a “golden window” to rise as a Halal supply hub for the Asia–Pacific region. The global Halal industry is forecast to grow 5.5% annually and may reach USD 10 trillion by 2030.

To seize this opportunity, Vietnam needs a comprehensive strategy that includes:

• establishing an internationally recognized Halal certification ecosystem;

• developing specialized human resources capable of participating in the full Halal value chain;

• supporting SMEs in upgrading technology and production conditions;

• building brands associated with green, clean, and transparent values;

• strengthening partnerships with global certification bodies and major distributors in Muslim-majority markets.

If implemented effectively, Vietnam could not only expand export markets but also emerge as a trusted Halal center in the region—contributing to elevating the nation’s brand position in global supply chains.

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