A cooperation agreement signed by partners at the international seminar on Halal tourism development

At the international seminar on Halal tourism development held on April 15, delegates highlighted both the immense potential and the challenges of building a Halal tourism ecosystem in Vietnam. The event was co-organized by Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism, the Institute for South Asia, West Asia and Africa Studies (ISAWAAS), and the Vietnam Halal Certification Center, drawing around 150 domestic and international representatives.

Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Ha, Rector of Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism, emphasized that with over 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, this is a vast market that Vietnam must proactively engage. Halal tourism not only holds great promise, but also presents an opportunity to enhance service quality and project a more welcoming and civilized image of the country.

Dr. Dinh Cong Hoang, Head of Middle East and West Asia Studies at ISAWAAS, cited figures showing the global Halal market is estimated to reach over US$7,000 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit US$10,000 billion by 2028, growing at an annual rate of 6-8%. In addition to countries with large Muslim populations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and those in the Middle East, destinations like Thailand and Singapore are actively tapping into this segment and becoming top Halal-friendly destinations.

Within this context, Hanoi with its position as a political, cultural, and tourism hub is seen as well-positioned to capture the Halal tourism wave, particularly as traditional international markets show signs of saturation. Recently, the number of visitors from Muslim-majority countries such as India and those in the Middle East has risen sharply, including luxury travelers and even billionaires, offering positive signals for Vietnam’s tourism industry.

However, attracting and retaining Halal travelers remains a challenge. Vietnam still lacks the necessary infrastructure to meet the religious and cultural needs of Muslim tourists from prayer facilities and Halal-certified food options to gender-sensitive recreational services. According to Mr. Ramlan Osman, Director of the National Halal Certification Center (HALCERT), accommodations should provide separate dining areas for Halal guests, prayer rooms in airports and hotels, and gender-segregated entertainment spaces.

Azerbaijani Ambassador Shovgi Kamal Oglu Mehdizade remarked that Vietnam is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Arab nations. Tourists are not only drawn to Vietnam’s coastal resorts but also interested in opportunities for Halal food exports from Vietnam to their home countries. He also emphasized the importance of working with international experts from Muslim countries to effectively develop Vietnam’s Halal tourism industry.

From a government perspective, Ms. Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, affirmed that there is considerable potential to attract Halal travelers to Hanoi. The department plans to enhance awareness among tourism businesses about this market segment and collaborate with hotels and airports to provide prayer spaces, Halal dining services, and other culturally appropriate amenities. Hanoi also aims to strengthen ties with embassies and international organizations while organizing cultural exchanges and training programs to build a skilled workforce for Halal tourism.

By 2030, Hanoi plans to establish a comprehensive Halal tourism ecosystem, with a focus on developing “Halal-Friendly Zones” in central districts. These zones will integrate Halal-standard services and facilities, contributing to a professional, friendly and culturally inclusive image of the capital in the eyes of Muslim travelers.