Vietnam's halal ambitions: a conversation with HALCERT Director Ramlan Osman

Vietnam made a decisive move earlier this year when Decree 127 came into effect, giving the country its first comprehensive legal framework for halal certification, labelling, and traceability. At the centre of that effort is HALCERT, the government body tasked with building Vietnam's halal industry and securing international market access by 2030. 



Salaam Gateway spoke with HALCERT Director Ramlan Osman about the sectors driving Vietnam's halal export push, the infrastructure gaps that still need to be closed, and how the country is positioning itself as a credible halal hub in Southeast Asia.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

1. What is HALCERT's role within Vietnam's broader halal ecosystem, and how does its certification scheme align with international standards (such as those recognised by GCC markets, Malaysia's JAKIM, or Indonesia's BPJPH) to ensure Vietnamese halal products gain cross-border acceptance? 

HalCert was established on 24 April 2024 as a government body under the Ministry of Trade, based on decision (10/QD - FT), dated February 14, 2023.  The objective behind the creation of HalCert is to strengthen international cooperation, and to build and develop Vietnam's Halal Industry by 2030. As for alignment with other certifications and standards, Decree 127 provides the emphasis on prioritising references to OIC/SMIIC and from widely recognised international standards such as Jakim, BPJBP etc. This is important for Vietnamese products in gaining international acceptance.

2. What are the main sectors driving Vietnam's halal export ambitions, and what gaps currently exist in infrastructure, supply chain, or producer awareness that HALCERT is working to address?

The three key areas that need to be focused are agriculture, top 20 producers meeting the OIC importation needs, food manufacturing (ready-to-eat snack ingredients), and Muslim-friendly services (accommodation, tour sites, service providers, and agents).