The global Halal market, serving Muslim consumers, is expanding rapidly and is now valued at trillions of USD, spanning sectors from food and pharmaceuticals to finance and logistics.
This growth presents significant opportunities for Vietnamese exports. However, experts said translating potential into tangible gains will require businesses to meet certification standards and adopt well-defined market strategies.
The issue was highlighted at a seminar on Halal strategy to connect Vietnamese food with markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Southeast Asia, jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh City investment and trade promotion centre (ITPC) and the food and foodstuff association of Ho Chi Minh City on April 3.
ITPC deputy director Ho Thi Quyen said the global Muslim population has surpassed 1.9 billion, accounting for about 25 per cent of the world’s population. Around 63 per cent of Muslim consumers regularly use Halal products, with the GCC and Southeast Asia emerging as key high-demand markets.
She added that Halal consumption is increasingly extending beyond Muslim consumers, driven by strict standards on food safety, traceability and ethical production.
Despite this potential, Vietnam’s participation in the Halal market remains limited. Only around 0.2 per cent of Vietnamese enterprises have Halal-certified products, with fewer than 1,000 certified firms nationwide. Many businesses continue to face barriers related to access to information, certification systems and market strategies. In addition, most Halal exports from Vietnam consist of raw or semi-processed goods with relatively low added value.
Truong Xuan Trung, Vietnam’s trade counsellor in the UAE, estimated the global Halal economy at about USD 5 trillion, with projections of reaching USD 10 trillion by 2028. He noted that the Middle East, particularly GCC countries, plays a central role, with food imports accounting for 85-90 per cent of demand, offering significant opportunities for exporters such as Vietnam.
Beyond food, the Halal ecosystem is expanding rapidly into pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, packaging, finance and logistics. Emerging segments such as Halal fashion and environmentally friendly packaging are expected to reach hundreds of billions of USD in the coming years.
The comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between Vietnam and the UAE, which took effect on February 3, 2026, is expected to remove tariffs on 99 per cent of Vietnamese goods, creating a major competitive advantage. The UAE’s strategic location and advanced logistics infrastructure also provide a gateway for Vietnamese firms to access wider markets across Asia, Europe and Africa.
In Southeast Asia, where more than 40 per cent of the population is Muslim, the region serves as both a major export destination and a strategic base for deeper integration into global Halal supply chains, according to Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hang, marketing director of Halal Certification Agency Vietnam.
Ly Kim Chi, president of the food and foodstuff association of Ho Chi Minh City, said Vietnamese enterprises need comprehensive preparation to move up the Halal value chain. This includes improving compliance with certification standards, investing in production processes, building brands and strengthening competitiveness. She added that closer cooperation with trade promotion agencies, certification bodies and international organisations is essential to reduce risks and maximise opportunities.
Trung also pointed to the growing trend of “green Halal”, which prioritises plant-based products, biodegradable packaging and carbon reduction. He said businesses must invest in dedicated production lines, tailor products to cultural preferences and diversify market access channels, including retail systems and e-commerce platforms, to succeed.