Vietnam Expands Trade Outreach to Global Halal Market
Vietnam Expands Trade Outreach to Global Halal Market
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Vietnam is intensifying efforts to expand exports to the global Halal market as part of a broader strategy to diversify trade destinations amid growing uncertainty in traditional export markets. Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), the country’s economic hub, have identified the Halal sector as a key growth opportunity, targeting an estimated 2.2 billion Muslim consumers worldwide, particularly in the Middle East.
Vietnam’s export-oriented economy has faced increasing challenges due to rising trade protectionism, tariff tensions, and stricter standards in established markets such as the United States, Europe, and Japan. In contrast, the Middle East has emerged as a high-growth import market, with annual merchandise imports exceeding $1.2 trillion and average GDP growth rates of 5–6 percent.
According to official data, Vietnam’s exports during the first 11 months of 2025 reached $5.4 billion to the United Arab Emirates and $1.9 billion to Saudi Arabia. Key export items included mobile phones and components, electronics, footwear, textiles, seafood, agricultural products, and vehicles. Despite this growth, experts say trade potential between HCMC and Middle Eastern markets remains underdeveloped.
Major regional retail groups, including Lulu Hypermarket in the UAE and Al Othaim Markets in Saudi Arabia, have expressed interest in sourcing Vietnamese products. Tran Phu Lu, Director of the HCMC Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), said the city is pursuing the development of a Halal ecosystem to strengthen integration into global value chains.
In 2025, ITPC organized more than 160 trade promotion activities, including targeted programs to connect Vietnamese businesses with Halal markets, aiming to secure long-term export growth and broader market access.
