Indonesia to open halal certification center in Ho Chi Minh City

The plan was announced on Wednesday by Indonesian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Carolina Tinangon at an international workshop titled ‘Indonesia’s Halal Certification Procedure,’ jointly organized by the Indonesian Consulate General and the municipal Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) at the New World Saigon Hotel.

The announcement followed remarks by Ho Thi Quyen, deputy director of the ITPC, who highlighted halal as one of Vietnam’s strategic export markets, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

She noted that many of Vietnam’s key exports, including tea, coffee, agricultural produce, and processed foods, have been well received in halal markets.

However, only about 100 Vietnamese enterprises currently hold halal certification that allows them to enter the Indonesian market.

Quyen identified Indonesia’s stringent certification process as the main hurdle, compounded by Vietnamese firms’ limited familiarity with the standards and assessment procedures.

She stressed that obtaining certification remains the central challenge, as strict requirements often create difficulties for companies in the early stages of navigating complex procedures.

Responding to these concerns, Tinangon said Indonesia is moving forward with plans to establish the certification center directly in Ho Chi Minh City.

The facility is expected to provide clearer guidance, streamline administrative procedures, and shorten processing times for Vietnamese enterprises seeking certification.

It is projected to become operational in the first half of 2026.

Welcoming the initiative, Quyen said Vietnam’s large production capacity, stable supply chains, and strategic geographic location position the country to become a regional halal food processing hub in Southeast Asia.

Tinangon emphasized that halal certification is not merely a legal requirement but also a gateway for businesses to access the global halal market, one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide.

She noted that cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia has so far been largely limited to food and beverages, even though halal standards apply to a wide range of consumer goods, from chemicals and pharmaceuticals to footwear and clothing.

She added that halal is increasingly extending beyond its religious significance, attracting non-Muslim consumers through strict assurances of quality, food safety, and hygiene.

Cooperation can progress gradually so Tinangon said it is now time to scale up collaboration so Vietnamese products gain broader acceptance in Indonesia, while Indonesian goods strengthen their presence in Vietnam.

She cited forecasts showing that global spending on halal products could reach around US$10 trillion by 2030, while the global Muslim population is projected to approach nearly three billion by 2050, accounting for close to 30 percent of the world’s population.

Against this backdrop, Indonesia has set a target that by October 17, 2026, all products circulating in its domestic market must carry Indonesian halal certification.

Tinangon described the requirement as both a regulatory obligation and a major opportunity for foreign enterprises, including Vietnamese firms, seeking to enter and remain competitive in Indonesia’s market of more than 270 million people.

She added that Indonesia views the halal industry as a potential key driver of bilateral trade and investment with Vietnam, in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership framework established by the two countries in March.