Hanoi (VNA) – A scientific workshop on Islamicculture and the prospects of Halal industry in Vietnam was held in Hanoi onAugust 14.
The event was co-hosted by the Institute for Africanand Middle East Studies (IAMES) andthe Institute for Religious Studies (IRS) under the Vietnam Academy of SocialSciences.
Speaking at the event, IAMES General Director Asso. Prof LePhuoc Minh said the event not only popularises knowledge about Islamicculture, including customs, traditions, and taboos in the lives of the Muslimcommunities in the world and Vietnam but also raises public awareness of the Halalindustry among Vietnamese policymakers, managers, researchers, businesses andpeople, thus opening up opportunities for Vietnam to engage in the global Halalvalue chain, diversify its export markets, attract Muslim tourists andsubstantial investment from Muslim-majority nations worldwide whilestrengthening cooperative ties between Vietnam and 57 member countries of theOrganisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
IRS Director Asso. Prof Chu Thanh Tuan said theMuslim community groups over 32,000 followers in 14 Vietnamese cities andprovinces. Vietnam only has about 20 export items to the Halal market, which isa remarkably low number. As much as 40% of Vietnamese localities lack certifiedHalal export products.
In mid-2021, the IAMES was the first State agency to set up a researchtaskforce known as the Vietnam Halal Centre of Excellence (Vietnam Halal COE)whose efforts have been recognised by the embassies of African and Middle Eastcountries, the Foreign Ministry, ministries and agencies.
The IMAES is also continuing its research andutilisation of its staff resources, collaborating with regional andinternational research institutes to contribute to the development of the Halalindustry in Vietnam./.