Vietnam eyes expanded exports to Halal markets via Malaysia gateway
Vietnam – Malaysia trade reached 14.2 billion USD in 2024. In the first half of 2025, bilateral trade increased 6% year-on-year to 7.7 billion USD.
Zaimah Osman, Malaysia’s Trade Consul in Ho Chi Minh City, discusses cooperation opportunities between Vietnamese and Malaysian businesses in the Halal food sector. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
HCM City (VNA) - Vietnam is seeking to boost exports to Halal markets through Malays꧟ia, which is viewed as a straཧtegic gateway to the global market, heard a business forum in Ho Chi Minh City on August 7.
Vietnam – Malaysia trade reached 14.2 billion USD in 2024. In the first half of 2025, bilateral trade increased 6% year-on-year to 7.7 billion USD. Officials see significant room for growth, as Malaysia’s consumer culture is close to Vietnam’s and tariff barriers are low under ASEAN and CPTPP agreements.
The global Halal market is projected to hit 5 trillion USD by 2030, with Malaysia’s share expected at 113.2 billion USD, spanning food and beverages; cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals with 85.2 billion USD, 10.5 billion USD and 5.9 billion USD, respectively.
Malaysia’s trade promotion agency MATRADE highlighted its pro-business environment and invited Vietnamese firms to tap into its network of over 200 trading partners. Vietnam’s Halal industry is backed by a government strategy to 2030, aiming to make the country a trusted global Halal hub.
Experts urged Vietnam to pursue mutual recognition agreements with major Halal certifiers, develop dedicated Halal industrial zones and logistics hubs, digitise certification with blockchain, and create a national “Vietnam Halal Certified” brand. Human resource training and stronger university–industry links were also emphasised.
Maybank Malaysia's Halal Product Director Shariza Abdul Rasheed noted that Vietnam’s Halal Certification Agency has been officially recognised by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), enabling easier access to Malaysia’s distribution system. She stressed that Halal certification signals global hygiene, ethics, and sustainability standards, not just religious compliance.
Businesses were encouraged to join key Halal trade events, including the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) from September 17–20, 2025, where the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre will organise a pavilion.
E-commerce platforms such as Malaysia’s Salaam Market and business matchmaking programmes were also recommended to connect Vietnamese producers with local partners, with the aim of raising Vietnam – Malaysia trade to 25 billion USD by 2030./.
The draft decree states that Vietnamese halal certification organisations will be supported in improving their capacity, achieving international recognition and having their certification results accepted by different countries and territories, especially in target export markets.
If Vietnamese businesses can meet Halal requirements, they won’t just reach Muslim consumers, she said, adding that they’ll also tap into the high-end segment in global markets increasingly focused on quality and product safety.
Vietnamese seafood processing and export enterprises are in the process of completing procedures and adopting necessary technologies to bring their products into the Halal market.
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