Halal certification in need of improvement

The rapidly expanding Halal economy is opening new export opportunities for Vietnam, but also exposing weaknesses in certification systems, governance standards, and supply chain readiness.

- By Nguyen Thu

Vietnam is moving towards more transparent food sourcing

Vu Ba Phu, director general of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), told VIR at the HalalViet Promotion and Experience Centre in Hanoi earlier in mid-May that the Halal economy is becoming an increasingly important pillar of global consumption, driven by trends favouring food safety and transparent sourcing.

“The growth momentum of the Halal market no longer comes solely from more than two billion Muslim consumers,” Phu said. “Consumers are paying greater attention to quality, traceability, and responsible production, creating new advantages for Vietnam to participate more deeply in the Halal supply chain.”

According to Phu, Vietnam possesses robust conditions thanks to its strengths in agriculture, food processing, seafood exports, and an extensive network of free trade agreements.

Trade turnover between Vietnam and member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reached approximately $24.7 billion in 2025, including $10.9 billion in exports. However, Vietnam’s Halal-certified exports remain limited at around $700 million, despite estimated potential of up to $34 billion.