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To develop a Halal (permitted) ecosystem in Da Nang, the city needs to build a strategy that meets the core needs of Islamic tourism, from cuisine and religious facilities to staffing and promotion.
Expanding guest capacity
Da Nang has quite a few restaurants that are Muslim-friendly, with approximately 40 Halal/Indian restaurants; more than 10 Halal-certified establishments; over 100 vegetarian restaurants; and over 500 seafood restaurants with menus and service styles suitable for Muslim customers.
Since the beginning of the year, the city has implemented various solutions to promote and attract potential Muslim tourists from Indonesia, Malaysia, the CIS, and the Middle East, along with exploiting direct and charter flights from these four potential markets.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Dinh Cong Hoang, Head of the Middle East and West Asia Research Department, Institute of South Asia, West Asia and Africa Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences ), the Halal tourism market has witnessed remarkable growth, contributing over $300 billion globally and is expected to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.07%.
Halal tourism is experiencing a significant growth trend, projected to reach 230 million visitors by 2028, with spending reaching $225 billion. A large proportion of these visitors are young travelers (Gen Z & Millennials), tech-savvy, seeking unique experiences while remaining committed to their faith.
Associate Professor Dr. Dinh Cong Hoang believes that, in this trend, Da Nang has many opportunities and potential because it is considered an international gateway, has a large-capacity international airport directly connecting to major Islamic centers; has a network of direct flights from Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Singapore, and potential flights from India and Indonesia. In recent years, the city has become a symbol of modern, safe, and friendly tourism, attracting visitors to check in.
“Da Nang has high-class accommodations with 4-5 star infrastructure capable of setting up private prayer areas, providing prayer mats (Sajadah) and Qibla orientation in rooms. Many villas have private pools, meeting the high privacy needs of Muslim women and Middle Eastern families,” said Associate Professor Dr. Dinh Cong Hoang.
Developing a Halal ecosystem
Having served the Muslim market for many years, Mr. Doan Van Tuan, Head Chef of Furama Resort Da Nang, said that the quality of service, cuisine, and staff serving Muslim guests at hotels is extremely important; especially the human element and honesty in providing service.
"If a Muslim customer goes to a restaurant and asks about a dish, for example, and the waiter can't answer the question about the ingredients, they won't trust the waiter and certainly won't eat," Mr. Tuan explained, giving an example.
Therefore, Mr. Tuan suggested the need for in-depth training programs, organizing training courses on Islamic culture for tour guides, hotel receptionists, and chefs; and encouraging and supporting businesses to register for Halal certification…
According to Ms. Phan Thi Van Thao, Head of Contracts Department at Crystal Bay - Da Nang Branch, Muslim tourists tend to stay for longer periods, spend more, and opt for all-inclusive tours covering airfare, hotels, food, entertainment activities, and cultural exploration.
"For other types of tourists, when choosing accommodation, they care about aesthetics and good service, but for Muslim tourists, they care about whether or not it's Halal. Therefore, accommodation establishments need to invest more deeply in amenities, cuisine, and Halal lifestyle. Only then can they sustainably attract this market," Ms. Thao said.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Dinh Cong Hoang, based on its existing potential, Da Nang needs to set a specific roadmap for developing the Halal ecosystem. This includes surveying the current situation and providing awareness training for tourism businesses in 2025; piloting a "Muslim-friendly Hotel/Restaurant/Tour" model in 2026; completing the certification system and boosting international promotion in 2027; and by 2030, making Da Nang a leading Halal destination in Vietnam.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/don-dau-phuc-vu-thi-truong-khach-hoi-giao-3314715.html
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