HALAL ECONOMY IN VIETNAM COMPARED TO INDONESIA: LESSONS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN A MULTI-CULTURAL INTEGRATION CONTEXT

Abstract

This study compares the development of the Halal economy in Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population and a leading regional Halal hub, with Vietnam, which is in the early stages of building its Halal sector. The research aims to draw lessons from Indonesia’s experience in certification systems, value chain development, investment attraction, and international cooperation to propose suitable strategies for Vietnam in a multi-religious and multicultural integration context. Vietnam has strategic advantages such as its location in Southeast Asia, diverse agricultural resources, and open cooperation policies with Muslim-majority countries. However, it faces challenges, including the absence of a unified Halal certification body, limited practical experience, and low business awareness of Halal market requirements. Indonesia, by contrast, has established a comprehensive institutional framework integrating government, industry associations, and enterprises to expand its Halal industry. Using secondary data analysis, interviews with Vietnamese enterprises, and comparative analysis, the study identifies Vietnam’s strong potential to develop its Halal economy. To effectively join global Halal value chains, Vietnam must learn from Indonesia in certification systems, enterprise support, and brand promotion. The study offers practical insights to guide policy formulation and foster economic and cultural cooperation with Muslim-majority nations.