Indonesia’s new consul general in Ho Chi Minh City seeks to boost halal cooperation

Tinangon conveyed the message during a courtesy visit to Nguyen Van Duoc, chairman of the municipal administration, on Monday.

She thanked city leaders for their warm welcome and said she was pleased to begin her tenure in Vietnam’s most dynamic city.

The consul general noted that ties between Vietnam and Indonesia are flourishing but still hold room for further growth, especially in halal-related business, as well as in technology transfer, socio-cultural exchanges, and education.

“I hope that during my tenure, we can develop more practical and effective cooperation initiatives between Indonesia and Ho Chi Minh City,” she said.

Tinangon added that she also looked forward to promoting student exchanges and cultural programs to strengthen mutual understanding and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

Acknowledging Indonesia’s regional influence and economic strength, Duoc said he hoped the country would support Vietnam in developing its halal industry and act as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter Islamic and Middle Eastern markets.

Duoc also highlighted the 70-year relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia, which traces its roots to the historic friendship between late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Soekarno.

He noted that despite these long-standing ties—upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March—much of the two countries’ economic potential remains untapped.

Chairman Duoc expressed hope that Consul General Tinangon would help introduce initiatives to promote more practical and effective cooperation between the two sides.

Seeing Ho Chi Minh City as home to many food processors and exporters, the diplomat suggested expanding opportunities for businesses from both sides to exchange experience and cooperate in food processing and related sectors such as the halal industry.

Duoc added that the city planned to host a halal products fair in December to connect domestic and foreign enterprises in the sector, proposing collaboration with the Indonesian Consulate General to organize the event.

Amid deepening globalization, the halal economy has emerged as a highly promising field, with its market size estimated at over US$2 trillion and serving around 2.2 billion Muslim consumers worldwide, according to a report released at an international seminar in Ho Chi Minh City in September.