Vietnam issues new regulations on Halal.

VHO - From June 1, 2026, Government Decree No. 127/2026/ND-CP on quality management and policies for the development of Halal products and services will officially come into effect. This is considered an important step towards building a comprehensive legal framework for the Halal sector in Vietnam, meeting the growing demands of both domestic and international markets.

Halal tourism services are services that cater to the needs of Muslim tourists. Photo: ST

According to Decree No. 127/2026/ND-CP issued on April 6, 2026 , Halal is a term of Arabic origin meaning "lawful" or "permitted," used to refer to products or services that fully meet Halal requirements according to the published standards.

Meanwhile, Halal products are products that have been assessed and certified as meeting these requirements; while Halal services include related activities such as trading, transporting, storing, packaging, displaying, or handling Halal products.

The decree also states: “Halal tourism services are services such as accommodation, food, travel, transportation and other related services that are designed, provided and certified to fully comply with Halal requirements according to a specific Halal standard, in order to meet the needs of Muslim tourists.”

The decree comprehensively regulates all aspects related to the quality management of Halal products and services, from standards, labeling, traceability, testing, and certification to inspection, handling of violations, and policies supporting the development of the Halal industry.

One of the overarching principles is ensuring transparency, consistency, and traceability throughout the entire supply chain. Quality management is based on risk assessment, focusing on controlling stages, components, or factors that may affect the Halal status of the product.

Halal cuisine

To facilitate trade and exports, Vietnam will prioritize referencing and harmonizing with widely recognized international standards and practices, including those of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Standards and Metrology Institute of Islamic States (SMIIC), and relevant guidelines of the International Food Standards Commission (Codex Alimentarius).

The decree also clearly stipulates the requirements for Halal products circulating in the Vietnamese market. Accordingly, products must meet the published standards and fully comply with all relevant Vietnamese laws and regulations.

The ingredients and additives used must be Halal and free from any prohibited components according to Halal regulations. For ingredients of animal origin, slaughter must be carried out in accordance with the Halal procedures specified in the applicable standard.

The entire production and processing process must ensure hygiene and have measures to prevent "cross-contamination" between Halal products and non-Halal ingredients. Similarly, packaging, storage, transportation, and display must be organized in a way that preserves the Halal nature of the product and avoids confusion during distribution.

For Halal services, service providers must fully meet the requirements stipulated in the applicable published standards, while also complying with relevant specialized legal regulations.

Another noteworthy point is the regulation on labeling and traceability. According to the decree, Halal products circulating in the market must clearly state the phrase "Halal product" or "Halal" on the label in an easily recognizable and readable location, except in certain cases where exemptions are granted.

For products in the high-risk category, traceability will become a mandatory requirement. This aims to ensure transparency, enabling regulatory agencies and consumers to verify the origin and production process of products throughout the entire supply chain.

Regarding certification activities, the decree stipulates that Halal certification is a voluntary activity, carried out according to the needs of businesses. However, in cases where specialized management agencies have specific regulations for certain types of products or services, certification may become mandatory.

Halal certification organizations wishing to operate in Vietnam must meet requirements regarding capacity, management systems, and a team of expert assessors. Notably, the certification organization must have at least two officially certified assessors who are Muslim, hold a university degree or higher, and have received specialized training in Halal assessment and knowledge.

Illustrative image

Besides establishing a quality management mechanism, the decree also dedicates a separate chapter to policies supporting and promoting the development of the Halal industry.

In the field of international cooperation, the Ministry of Science and Technology will take the lead in promoting the signing of mutual recognition agreements on Halal conformity assessment results with international organizations and markets. This is an important basis for improving access to export markets with high demand for Halal products.

Regarding trade promotion, businesses with Halal products participating in specialized trade fairs, exhibitions, or trade delegations abroad will receive financial support through national trade promotion programs. Typical Halal products will also receive promotional support through the Vietnam National Brand Program.

In the tourism sector, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will implement programs to promote Vietnam as a destination friendly to Muslim tourists, while supporting travel agencies and accommodation establishments in connecting with potential Muslim tourist markets.

The decree also outlines several policies to support businesses with resources. Among them, export-oriented Halal products are identified as a key product group, prioritized in the National Program for Improving Productivity and Quality of Goods. The State also provides one-time support for testing and certification costs for key export-oriented Halal product manufacturers.

Notably, Vietnam will build and operate a national Halal database, integrated with the existing data system on standards, measurement, and quality. This database will provide information on Halal standards, regulations of export markets, a list of certification bodies, businesses, and certified products, thereby helping businesses access information more quickly and conveniently.

By establishing a relatively comprehensive regulatory framework for the Halal sector for the first time, Decree 127/2026/ND-CP is expected to create a transparent legal foundation, improve product quality, protect consumers, and support Vietnamese businesses in effectively exploiting the potential of the global Halal market.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/viet-nam-ban-hanh-quy-dinh-moi-ve-halal-233031.html