HANOI (Bernama-VNA): Halal tourism presents a promising opportunity driven by rising global Muslim travel demand, and while Vietnam is beginning to tap into this market, it still faces challenges in meeting its unique cultural and religious needs.
According to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) with over 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, Halal tourism is booming.
The global Halal tourism market was valued at around US$266 billion in 2023. It is projected to hit US$276 billion in 2024 and soar to US$350 billion by 2030.
Rector of the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism Dr Trinh Thi Thu Ha noted that Muslim tourism has become a global trend and is playing an increasingly vital role in many countries' tourism sectors.
Recognising the vast potential of this market, the Prime Minister approved a national strategy on February 14, 2023, titled "Enhancing international cooperation to develop Vietnam’s Halal industry by 2030.”
In 2024, the country launched the Vietnam Halal Certification Authority (HALCERT) and introduced national standards for Halal-related products and services. Vietnam’s tourism authorities have also ramped up promotional campaigns to attract Muslim travellers.
Despite these efforts, Vietnam still lacks sufficient infrastructure and services tailored to Muslim visitors, making it less appealing to this demographic.
Director of HALCERT Ramlan Osman emphasised that Muslim-friendly tourism comes with specific criteria. They include Halal-certified food, prayer facilities, services tailored to Ramadan, privacy in entertainment such as gender-separated areas, and family-oriented tour options.
He pointed out that one of the biggest challenges for Muslim travelers is food, saying that Vietnamese food is delicious, but if it does not meet Halal standards, they can’t eat it. - Bernama-VNA
