The Malaysian government plans to collaborate with Vietnam by sharing its well-established halal infrastructure, including certification systems and halal raw materials. This support aims to help Vietnam build capacity and expand its access to the international halal market.
The proposal was discussed during the recent seminar titled ‘Accessing the Global Halal Market — Opportunities for Vietnamese Enterprises’ held in Hanoi. Malaysia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Datuk Tan Yang Thai, underscored the importance of understanding halal standards and consumer expectations. He recommended a long-term, practical collaboration to help Vietnamese firms integrate into the global halal supply chain.
“Malaysia encourages Vietnamese companies to tap into its halal infrastructure, including certification facilities and readily available halal raw materials,” Tan said. This, he noted, would accelerate Vietnam’s compliance with international halal standards and enhance its global product marketing.
Vietnam’s agricultural exports reached RM263 billion ($62.4 billion) in 2023, with a trade surplus of RM81 billion ($18.6 billion). According to the Vietnam Halal Center, the country has the capacity to produce halal products worth RM144 billion ($34 billion) targeted at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries.
Ramlan Osman, Director of the Vietnam Halal Certification Agency (HALCERT), highlighted Vietnam’s existing agricultural surplus, which includes high-potential ingredients such as coffee, rice, seafood, aquaculture products, spices, legumes, vegetables, and fruits, many of which are suitable for use in halal-certified goods.
Tan also urged Vietnamese firms to source halal-certified raw materials from Malaysia to streamline the production of halal-compliant products.
The upcoming Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), taking place from 17 to 20 September in Kuala Lumpur, is expected to serve as a crucial platform for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the halal sector.
“With Vietnam’s entrepreneurial spirit and a shared commitment to collaboration, I believe the country can become a successful and influential player in the global halal economy,” Tan stated.
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