In the context of increasingly deep international integration, Vietnam's tourism industry is facing great opportunities to expand markets and improve service quality. One of the rapidly growing trends today is Halal tourism – serving Muslim travelers. This is not only a potential market but also a gateway for Vietnam's tourism in general and Hai Phong in particular to connect with an international clientele that has strong and stable spending power.
According to the Global Islamic Economy Report 2023, published by the DinarStandard research group, the size of the global Halal economy has exceeded USD 7 trillion and is expected to rise to USD 10 trillion by 2030. Halal products and services include food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and, notably, Muslim-friendly tourism services.
Vietnam has identified this as one of its strategic development directions, with Prime Ministerial Decision 10/QĐ-TTg (14/2/2023) on “Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop the Halal industry in Vietnam until 2030.” Within this, Halal tourism is seen as a potential sector to attract international visitors, especially from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe.
To meet international requirements, Vietnam has issued a system of national Halal standards TCVN, including TCVN 14230:2024 – Muslim-friendly tourism services – Requirements. This standard includes regulations on:
- Appropriate lodging facilities (prayer rooms, separate dining areas, Halal menus…);
- Services free of elements prohibited by Islamic regulations;
- Friendly, easily accessible information for Muslim guests;
- Clear, transparent control and certification procedures.
The application of this standard helps accommodation facilities, restaurants, and tour operators meet the requirements of the Halal market, enhance brand reputation, and at the same time expand the ability to attract high-quality customers.
With a strategic location — the northern international gateway, possessing an international seaport, Cat Bi airport, together with a system of modern industrial zones and services — Hai Phong has a great advantage to become the region’s Halal service center. Especially in tourism, developing Halal hotels, Halal restaurants, and Muslim‑friendly tour packages will open major opportunities to attract international visitors. Priority markets include:
Singapore & Europe (UK, Germany) – niche markets, high quality requirements.
Malaysia & Indonesia – large markets, clear standards, culturally close.
Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar…) – large and stable transaction value.
Aware of this trend, Hai Phong College of Tourism aims to incorporate Halal standards into the tourism overview curriculum in order to
Enhance international integration capacity for lecturers and students;
Provide knowledge about Halal standards in restaurants, hotels, and travel;
Aiming to train a workforce capable of serving Muslim customers to international standards;
Connecting businesses – educational institutions – Halal certification bodies to promote the development of Halal tourism products and services in Hải Phòng.
Halal tourism is not only a trend but also a strategic opportunity to elevate the tourism brand and develop specialized tourism programs. Grasping and implementing Halal standards in training and practice is a proactive step that demonstrates the Institution's vision for global integration.
Article by: MSc. Mai Thi Hue - Vice Principal
