JAKARTA – Vietnam is ramping up initiatives to penetrate the worldwide Halal market, representing a strategic pivot as the country works to broaden its export portfolio beyond traditional trading partners. Officials in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam’s commercial center, have pinpointed the Halal industry as a promising avenue for growth, with eyes on reaching approximately 2.2 billion Muslim consumers globally, especially throughout the Middle East.

Responding to Shifting Trade Dynamics

The Vietnamese export economy has encountered mounting obstacles recently, including increased protectionist policies, escalating tariff disputes, and more rigorous compliance requirements in conventional markets like the United States, Europe, and Japan. These challenges have prompted Vietnamese authorities to seek alternative trading opportunities.

The Middle East has emerged as an attractive destination, characterized by robust import demand totaling more than $1.2 trillion annually in merchandise, coupled with sustained economic expansion averaging 5-6 percent GDP growth rates.

Current Export Performance and Potential

Official figures reveal that Vietnam exported $5.4 billion worth of goods to the United Arab Emirates and $1.9 billion to Saudi Arabia during the initial eleven months of 2025. The export portfolio encompasses diverse products including mobile phones and their components, electronic devices, footwear, textiles, seafood, agricultural commodities, and vehicles.

However, industry analysts maintain that commercial ties between HCMC and Middle Eastern nations remain significantly underutilized, suggesting substantial room for expansion.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Prominent Middle Eastern retail chains have shown interest in Vietnamese products. Major players such as Lulu Hypermarket in the UAE and Al Othaim Markets in Saudi Arabia have indicated willingness to source goods from Vietnam.

Tran Phu Lu, Director of HCMC’s Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), confirmed the city’s commitment to establishing a comprehensive Halal ecosystem. This infrastructure development aims to enhance Vietnam’s integration into international value chains and position the country as a reliable supplier to Halal-conscious markets.

Systematic Market Development Approach

Throughout 2025, ITPC conducted over 160 trade promotion initiatives, including specialized programs designed to forge connections between Vietnamese enterprises and Halal market opportunities. These efforts reflect a coordinated strategy to establish sustainable export relationships and achieve meaningful market penetration in this expanding sector.

The focus on Halal market development represents Vietnam’s pragmatic response to evolving global trade conditions while capitalizing on the sustained growth trajectory of Muslim-majority regions.

Original Article:

Shia Waves. (2026, January 6). Vietnam Expands Trade Outreach to Global Halal Market.  Retrieved from https://shiawaves.com/english/news/world/asia/vietnam/138700-vietnam-expands-trade-outreach-to-global-halal-market/