Indonesia eyes more partnership with Vietnam in Halal-certified production, cosmetics

Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country, is eager to share its expertise in Halal standards and looks forward to collaborating with Vietnam in sectors such as food processing, cosmetics, tourism, and Halal financial services, said Agustaviano Sofjan, consul general of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City.

Sofjan made the remarks at a workshop titled "Promoting international cooperation in the Halal Industry between Vietnam and Indonesia," organized by the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCMC (ITPC) and the Indonesian Consulate General on Monday.

"The Halal industry is a key area of cooperation, not only to serve the needs of the global Muslim community but also to appeal to international consumers who value quality and safety. As an Islamic country, Indonesia is ready to share its experience in Halal standards and to work with Vietnam in areas such as food processing, cosmetics, tourism, and Halal finance,” he said.

At the event, Tran Phu Lu, director of ITPC, highlighted that Vietnam’s export activities are expected to continue facing challenges, including weakening global demand, rising raw material prices, high logistics costs, and increasing competition from other countries in the region.

He encouraged businesses to innovate and tap into emerging markets like the Halal sector to expand their export reach and reduce dependency on traditional markets.

According to industry research, the Halal industry remains significantly underexploited. By 2030, the global Halal market, including food and beverage (F&B) and other sectors, is projected to be worth $10 trillion. The F&B segment alone is expected to hit $5.91 trillion by 2033, added Lu.

Data from the General Department of Customs show that in the first quarter of 2025, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Indonesia reached $4.2 billion, a 17% increase year-over-year.

Vietnam’s exports to Indonesia totaled $1.4 billion, driven by key products such as coffee, raw plastics, iron and steel, textiles, and mobile phones and components. Despite this growth, the trade volume still falls short of the potential between the two ASEAN powerhouses.

Indonesia, with a population exceeding 280 million, most of whom are Muslim, is the world’s largest Halal market. This presents a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese companies to export Halal-certified products. However, meeting the country’s strict Halal standards and navigating its complex certification procedures remain major hurdles.

Nguyen Ngoc Hang, marketing director of Halal Certification Agency (HCA) Co., Ltd., shared details on Indonesia’s Halal product regulations. The Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) mandates that most imported and domestically traded products be Halal-certified. Non-compliant goods must clearly be labeled as “Non-Halal.”

Under Indonesia’s Regulation No. 42/2024, labeling requirements for imported goods and services will be enforced by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, with full implementation expected by October 17, 2026.

Vietnamese businesses can obtain Halal certification through BPJPH-recognized organizations like HCA. The certification process includes a document review, on-site inspections, and compliance with SJPH Standard No. 20/2023.

Once certified, businesses must register with Indonesia’s SIHALAL system and follow labeling rules, including displaying the official BPJPH and HCA Halal logos.