Halal Travel Expert Trains Visit Indochina Team on Muslim Tourism

Amid the booming Halal tourism market, Visit Indochina invited an expert on Muslim travel to conduct a training session, providing updates on market trends and approaches to better serve this growing visitor segment.

At Visit Indochina’s headquarters in Da Nang at the end of August, Mr. Hosen Yousof (Tuấn Anh) – an expert in developing Muslim-friendly and Halal travel products in Vietnam – spent several hours sharing his knowledge on the Halal market.

Visit Indochina standardizes services for Halal travelers

According to Mr. Hosen Yousof, Halal travelers have strict and distinct requirements, and Vietnam – particularly the central region – is emerging as an increasingly attractive destination. With a safe environment, beautiful beaches, and a wide range of heritage sites tied to spiritual beliefs, destinations such as Da Nang and Hue are welcoming many groups from Muslim-majority countries.

However, the network of facilities that meet Halal standards in Vietnam remains limited.

Recently, during a meeting between Da Nang’s tourism authorities and the local business community, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism announced that it is drafting a development plan to attract Halal visitors. This plan will define standards and establish a network of qualified facilities to serve travelers from Muslim countries.

With an extensive partner network across many countries, Visit Indochina has been actively exploring the Halal market, working with both domestic and international partners to prepare for large Halal tour groups visiting Vietnam.

The training program with the Halal expert is part of Visit Indochina’s broader initiative to enhance service capacity and standardize offerings for Muslim travelers.

Vietnam as a favored destination for Muslim tourists

According to statistics, the global Halal tourism market reached approximately USD 276 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to USD 350 billion by 2030, and could reach USD 548.1 billion by 2035.

With an annual growth rate of 6.1% and the Muslim population expected to reach 2.2 billion by 2030, this is a lucrative segment that many countries are competing to capture.

Experts note that Muslim travelers often prefer destinations that are culturally and spiritually compatible. Recognizing this, several countries in the region have invested heavily in Halal-certified infrastructure and services.

The Vietnamese government has also shown interest, guiding the development of the Halal economy in general and Halal tourism in particular. Many industry fairs and seminars have been held, and some hotels, restaurants, and travel companies – including Visit Indochina – have begun adopting Halal standards.

However, assessments show that Vietnam still lacks sufficient Halal-standard infrastructure and that the workforce knowledgeable about Muslim culture remains limited. The link between travel agencies, destinations, and specialized media has yet to be fully established.

Businesses also lack full access to Halal standards and traveler needs. Vietnam faces direct competition from destinations already successful in this segment, such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Jakarta.

To seize the opportunity, Halal travel experts recommend that businesses develop Halal-friendly accommodation, dining, mosques, and facilities. At the same time, training human resources – from tour guides to hotel and restaurant staff, and even tourism education programs – is essential.

The government should also provide incentives for businesses investing in this segment while expanding bilateral cooperation with Muslim countries such as the UAE, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Visit Indochina’s efforts to attract Halal tourists to Central Vietnam

As part of its strategy to diversify markets and tap into the potential of Halal tourism, Visit Indochina has promoted numerous initiatives to draw Muslim visitors. In 2023, the company organized a dedicated Halal market seminar at Furama Da Nang, attracting many managers and business representatives.

According to Mr. Nguyen Son Thuy, Director of Visit Indochina, the Vietnamese government has approved the scheme “Enhancing international cooperation to develop Vietnam’s Halal industry by 2030.” This provides strong momentum for tapping into the vast Muslim tourism market.

Following major events such as APEC 2017, Da Nang has demonstrated its ability to meet diverse service standards for different traveler groups. Each year, the city welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors from Muslim-majority countries such as Iran and India. Currently, Da Nang has around 20 tourist sites and facilities capable of serving Halal travelers.

Visit Indochina.