On the morning of July 8, in Nha Trang, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa Province inaugurated the Vietnam Halal Conference 2026 under the theme "Vietnam - A New Destination for Halal Tourism." Attendees included Ms. Nguyen Minh Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Nguyen Long Bien, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee; representatives from the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI); ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, the UAE, Iran, Pakistan, and Bangladesh with representatives from the embassies of various Muslim-majority nations; as well as tourism promotion agencies, Halal certification organization, airlines, tourism enterprises, and domestic and foreign investors.
Delegates attending the conference (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
In the opening speech, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang emphasized that the Vietnam Halal Conference is the first international forum organized by Vietnamese government agencies specifically focused on Halal tourism, demonstrating a determination to diversify markets and generate new growth momentum. The conference will help shape a new development mindset, viewing Halal tourism not merely as a tourism product, but as an opportunity for Vietnam to integrate more deeply into the global Halal value chain. Vietnam boasts a stable political environment, guaranteed security, diverse natural landscapes, and a strategic geographic location that offers convenient connectivity to major Muslim markets. However, the flow of Muslim tourists to Vietnam currently accounts for only about 3% of total international arrivals, indicating significant growth potential and an under-tapped market. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs hopes that these discussions and conferences will lead to the establishment of new cooperation frameworks, raise awareness, and foster comprehensive investment in the Halal ecosystem, thereby elevating Vietnam's position within the global Halal value and service chain.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang delivering the opening speech (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
In the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong highlighted the booming global Halal economy, noting projections that by 2030, the number of Muslim tourists will reach approximately 245 million, with total spending estimated at $280 billion. Muslim tourists are characterized by high spending, longer stays, and a strong emphasis on experiencing local culture.
Mr. Ho An Phong urged ministries, sectors, and localities to take decisive action to remove institutional bottlenecks and build a comprehensive Halal tourism ecosystem-encompassing accommodation, dining, prayer facilities and transportation. The tourism sector needs to harmoniously integrate Vietnamese cultural identity into tourism products such as MICE, golf, and beach resorts. Simultaneously, efforts must be made to enhance the quality of a professional workforce knowledgeable about Islamic culture and to boost the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data for destination management and effective promotion in key markets, including ASEAN, South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
According to the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, many localities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, and An Giang have proactively worked on product development, service quality enhancement, and the gradual establishment of tourism models friendly to Muslim travelers. The selection of Khanh Hoa as the venue for this conference is highly significant; as a national tourism hub boasting modern infrastructure, excellent international connectivity, and a strategic focus on high-quality tourism, demonstrates its determination to capitalize on the growth of the Halal market. This move also contributes to realizing the goal of diversifying international source markets and creating new growth momentum for Vietnam's tourism industry.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong speaking at the conference (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
In his welcoming remarks, Nguyen Long Bien, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, expressed his honor in co-organizing the Vietnam Halal Tourism Conference 2026 with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This event serves as a significant opportunity to showcase and promote the potential, culture, and history of both Vietnam and Khanh Hoa. It also creates a platform for fostering partnerships and developing tourism products and services tailored to Muslim travelers, thereby helping to attract an increasing number of visitors from key Halal markets to Vietnam and Khanh Hoa in the near future.
Mr. Nguyen Long Bien emphasized that with an area exceeding 8,555 km², a coastline stretching nearly 500 km, and a landscape featuring over 200 islands and stunning bays such as Van Phong, Nha Trang, and Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa is a region rich in unique cultural values. Furthermore, the province aims to develop a network of 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts friendly with Muslim while promoting high-end signature products including bird's nest, agarwood, sea grapes, and agricultural produce meeting VietGAP, ISO, and HACCP standards to gradually establish Khanh Hoa as an ideal, safe destination for international travelers in this segment. Notably, Khanh Hoa plans to integrate Halal tourism development into its provincial tourism strategy; encourage businesses to invest in facility upgrades and diversify products and services tailored to Muslim travelers' needs; enhance workforce training; and step up promotion in key markets. Simultaneously, the province will expand cooperation with international certification organizations, enterprises, and partners to progressively transform Khanh Hoa into a welcoming, safe, and attractive destination for Muslim tourists.
Mr. Nguyen Long Bien, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee speaks at the conference (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
A representative of the Gulf Accreditation Center (GAC) presents the accreditation certificate for the Halal certification program to the National Halal Certification Center (HALCERT) (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
The conference is divided into two sessions. Session 1, themed "Global Trends: Opportunities and Solutions for Halal Tourism in Vietnam," focuses on presenting global trends, potential, and experiences regarding Halal tourism development. Experts analyze the growth trends of the Halal tourism market, the needs of Muslim travelers, and best practices for building a tourism ecosystem. During this session, delegates also discuss solutions for establishing an action framework for Vietnam's Halal tourism, Halal standards and certification systems, and strategies to develop Muslim-friendly aviation, resort, and travel services. Session 2, titled "Halal Economic Forum - Trade and Investment Promotion between Khanh Hoa Province and Halal Market Partners," takes place on the afternoon of the same day.
Delegates attending the conference pose for a commemorative photo (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
Overview of the conference (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
On this occasion, the Gulf Accreditation Center (GAC) awarded accreditation to the Halal certification program of the National Halal Certification Center (HALCERT). This event marks a significant milestone, opening up opportunities for extensive cooperation between Vietnam's Halal sector and Gulf nations.
Thanh Thanh