1. A consistent policy, a clear roadmap
On 14 February 2023, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 10/QD-TTg approving the scheme “Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam’s Halal industry to 2030”. It is regarded as the first national-level policy document on mobilising international resources for the Halal industry. Its tasks include an annual national trade promotion programme for Halal products, planning Halal industrial parks in localities with strong raw-material bases, and closer coordination between ministries and sectors.
From that direction, the pieces fell into place one by one: the National Halal Certification Centre (HALCERT) was launched in April 2024; Decree 127/2026/ND-CP, issued on 6 April 2026 and in force from 1 June 2026, created for the first time a dedicated legal framework for Halal products and services, with 6 chapters and 28 articles, of which Articles 21–23 cover market development support policies. The Ministry of Science and Technology also plans to develop 17 new Halal standards in the period to 2030.
📌 KEY POINTS
Direction: Decision 10/QD-TTg (14 February 2023) – the scheme to develop the Halal industry to 2030.
Institutions: HALCERT (April 2024) and Decree 127/2026/ND-CP (in force from 1 June 2026).
Integration: five Vietnamese certification bodies recognised by JAKIM (Malaysia); the Vietnam – UAE CEPA in force since 3 February 2026.
2. Khanh Hoa: from tourist destination to Halal meeting point
On 8 July 2026, the Vietnam Halal Tourism Conference opened in Nha Trang, chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, with about 350 delegates from Vietnam and abroad. The conference had two sessions: global Halal tourism trends, and a Halal economy forum on trade and investment promotion.
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong cited the Global Muslim Travel Index: by 2030 the world will see about 245 million Muslim tourist trips, with spending of around USD 255–280 billion. According to Khanh Hoa Newspaper, the province has been set a target of welcoming 7.2 million international visitors. Muslim travellers are therefore a segment Khanh Hoa can hardly ignore.
Halal tourism and Halal trade go hand in hand: Muslim travellers need Halal-compliant food, restaurants and hotels. Every certified local restaurant or processing facility both serves visitors and acts as a “showroom” for export products.
3. The 27 October conference: hopes of moving from “promotion” to “connection”
The conference takes place as the regional Halal market shifts quickly. On 17 October 2026, just one day before the expected deadline, the Indonesian government announced it would push back mandatory Halal certification for many product groups, including imports, to October 2028, tied to the completion of mutual recognition agreements on Halal certification. Malaysia and Indonesia have just set up a joint Halal council. Saudi Arabia is expanding its Global Halal Mark alliance. Countries are “setting the standards”, and slow-moving businesses will have to play by someone else’s rules.
From a business perspective, a successful conference is measured not by the number of delegates, but by the number of connections that continue after it. There are four questions businesses should bring to Nha Trang:
- Which markets are genuinely open to their products, and what exactly are the certification requirements?
- How are the support policies under Decree 127/2026 being implemented: certification costs, trade promotion, training?
- How far has mutual recognition progressed with Malaysia, Indonesia and the Gulf states?
- After the conference, through which channel will connections be maintained so they do not end at a business card?
4. Conclusion
The policy framework is in place. What is still missing is enough certified businesses and a regular channel to buyers. Policy only turns into export turnover when businesses take the initiative to prepare certification, keep their records transparent and follow through on every opportunity they meet at conferences such as the one in Nha Trang.
Glossary
- Halal scheme (Decision 10/QD-TTg): the scheme “Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam’s Halal industry to 2030”.
- HALCERT: Vietnam’s National Halal Certification Centre.
- JAKIM: Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, which issues and recognises Halal certification in Malaysia.
- CEPA: Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (here, between Vietnam and the UAE).
- Global Halal Mark: a common Halal mark initiated by a Saudi-led alliance.
- Halal tourism: travel services that meet the needs of Muslim travellers (Halal food, prayer spaces, suitable accommodation).
References
Legal texts and official sources
- Prime Minister – Decision No. 10/QD-TTg of 14 February 2023 approving the scheme “Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam’s Halal industry to 2030” (available at https://vanban.chinhphu.vn) (Vietnamese)
- Government – Decree 127/2026/ND-CP on quality management and development policies for Halal products and services (full text at Thu vien Phap luat) (Vietnamese)
- TCVN – New Halal policies supporting market development take effect from 1 June 2026 (Vietnamese)
- HALCERT – Decree 127/2026/ND-CP: a new step in managing and developing the Halal market in Vietnam (Vietnamese)
- Government News – Ministry of Science and Technology to develop 17 new Halal standards (Vietnamese)
Press and industry analysis (secondary sources, cited as published)
- VietnamPlus – Strengthening international cooperation to develop Vietnam’s Halal industry (Vietnamese)
- Khanh Hoa Newspaper – Vietnam Halal Conference opens with the theme “Vietnam – a new destination for Halal tourism” (Vietnamese)
- Nhan Dan – Vietnam aims to become a new destination for Muslim tourism (Vietnamese)
- Thanh Nien – Vietnam gets ahead of the Halal tourism wave in Southeast Asia (Vietnamese)
- Doanh nghiep Hoi nhap – Vietnam Halal Tourism Conference – Khanh Hoa opens its doors to Muslim travellers (Vietnamese)
- Vietnam News (VNA) – Việt Nam has five Halal certification bodies recognised by Malaysia
Photos: Unsplash (Nha Trang photo); HalalHub.vn archive (event photos). Graphics: HalalHub.vn.
HalalHub.vn · Published 18 October 2026 · Legal information checked as of 18 October 2026; regulations may change, so please check official sources before making decisions.
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