04 key issues businesses should consider when entering the Halal market in Vietnam

From 2026 onward, Halal certification activities in Vietnam have entered a stage of specialized legal regulation under Decree No. 127/2026/ND-CP on the management of Halal activities (“Decree 127”).

For the first time, Vietnam has established a relatively comprehensive legal framework governing Halal products and services, including applicable standards, certification activities, labeling requirements, traceability, quality management, and policies supporting the development of the Halal market. This development creates significant opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to participate in the global Islamic market, while simultaneously giving rise to new legal, commercial, and compliance risks.

In this article, BLawyers Vietnam analyzes 04 important legal issues that manufacturers, exporters, F&B businesses, logistics providers, and foreign investors should pay particular attention to when conducting Halal-related activities in Vietnam from 2026 onward.

1. How has Halal evolved from a “religious standard” into a legal compliance requirement?

One of the most notable changes introduced under Decree 127 is the incorporation of Halal declaration, labeling, traceability, and the use of Halal indications into a formal State regulatory framework with clear legal implications. Accordingly, enterprises engaging in the manufacture, importation, trading, or promotion of Halal products and services must simultaneously satisfy the following requirements:

(i) Requirements regarding applicable standards

Enterprises are required to identify and publicly declare the applicable Halal standards before circulating products in the Vietnamese market. In addition, the process of formulating and amending national standards for Halal products and services must involve representatives of the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and Muslim experts with professional knowledge of Halal requirements.

Accordingly, for exported goods, enterprises may apply Halal standards based on the requirements of foreign partners or importing markets. Meanwhile, for products intended for domestic consumption, enterprises must apply national standards, international standards, regional standards, or standards of Islamic countries recognized under Vietnamese law.

Importantly, the applicable standards must not conflict with Vietnam’s mandatory regulations on food safety, product quality, goods labeling, environmental protection, and other relevant legal requirements.

(ii) Control over the entire Halal supply chain

The new legal framework requires enterprises to maintain end-to-end control over the entire Halal supply chain, rather than focusing solely on finished products, including:

1. Raw materials and additives must be Halal and must not contain Haram or Najis elements;
2. Animal-derived ingredients must originate from Halal sources and be slaughtered in accordance with the applicable Halal procedures;
3. Manufacturing processes must include measures to prevent cross-contamination with non-Halal elements; and
4. Packaging, storage, transportation, and display activities must preserve the Halal integrity of products.

(iii) Requirements on labeling, certification marks, and traceability

Under the new regulations, the words “HALAL” or “HALAL PRODUCT” must be clearly displayed on product labels, except in certain special cases where such wording is not mandatory, including:

1. Products bearing a Halal certification mark for which a Halal certification body has issued a certificate and granted the right to use such mark; and
2. Ingredients, food additives, and processing aids used for manufacturing or processing purposes that are not sold directly to consumers.

Nevertheless, the use of Halal certification marks must comply with the rules and requirements of the relevant Halal certification body. For high-risk product categories, Halal traceability is mandatory. Incorrect labeling, improper use of Halal marks, or failure to substantiate Halal origin may expose enterprises to significant legal risks.

2. Enterprises should establish internal Halal control systems rather than rely solely on certification

One notable aspect of Decree 127 is that Halal quality management is no longer based solely on the possession of a “Halal certificate”, but instead shifts toward a mechanism focused on end-to-end supply chain control and internal Halal risk management.

Accordingly, Halal management activities are implemented based on the following principles:

1. Ensuring consistency, transparency, and non-discrimination in all state management activities and Halal conformity assessment activities;
2. Harmonization with internationally recognized practices and standards commonly applied in Islamic markets, including those of the OIC, SMIIC, and Codex;
3. Protection of the lawful rights and interests of consumers, particularly Muslim consumers;
4. Adoption of a risk-based management approach; and
5. Ensuring the integrity, authenticity, and traceability of Halal products throughout the entire supply chain.

This approach indicates that the regulatory authorities are moving from a “certification verification” model toward a “compliance system control” model. Accordingly, for enterprises operating in the F&B, food, cosmetics, logistics, OEM/ ODM, or export sectors targeting Islamic markets, Halal compliance is no longer merely an operational matter, but has become a long-term legal compliance requirement.

3. Halal certification Is no longer merely a “commercial procedure” but has become a compliance assessment activity subject to clear legal conditions

Another significant change introduced by Decree 127 is the establishment, for the first time, of a relatively comprehensive legal framework governing Halal testing, conformity assessment, and certification activities in Vietnam. Accordingly, enterprises can no longer rely solely on a “Halal logo” or certificates issued in foreign markets, but must also review the legality and recognition status of certification activities in Vietnam:

(i) Halal certification may become mandatory

Under the current regulations, Halal certification is, in principle, a voluntary activity conducted based on business needs. However, certification may become mandatory where competent sectoral authorities issue regulations requiring Halal certification for certain categories of products or services.

This reflects the State’s gradual shift toward placing Halal activities within a conditional regulatory framework, particularly in sectors directly affecting consumers or export activities.

(ii) Only qualified certification bodies are permitted to conduct Halal certification activities in Vietnam, including:

1. Domestic certification bodies that have been granted a Certificate of Registration for certification activities in accordance with the Decree; or
2. Foreign certification bodies whose certification results are recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

In addition, Halal certification bodies must satisfy a number of stringent professional requirements, including:

1. Maintaining a management system compliant with TCVN 13888 or an equivalent international Halal standard;
2. Having at least two official assessors who are Muslims;
3. Ensuring that such assessors are trained in quality management systems, certification assessment, and Halal knowledge in accordance with the relevant standards; and
4. Possessing practical assessment experience relevant to the applicable certification scheme.

This demonstrates that enterprises should exercise particular caution when selecting a Halal certification body, as the use of unrecognized or non-compliant certifications may directly affect export activities, distribution operations, and commercial reputation.

Legal support from BLawyers Vietnam

For enterprises investing in, manufacturing, importing, or exporting Halal products and services in Vietnam. BLawyers Vietnam can assist enterprises with:

1. Advising on legal requirements applicable to Halal products and services;
2. Reviewing Halal standards and declaration dossiers for applicable standards;
3. Advising on legal structures for Halal investment and export activities;
4. Advising on contracts with certification bodies, suppliers, and distribution partners;
5. Advising on legal risk management and Halal traceability compliance; and
6. Assisting with engagement with State authorities and handling disputes relating to Halal matters.

The above is not official advice from BLawyers Vietnam. If you have any questions or suggestions about the above, please contact us at info@blawyersvn.com. BLawyers Vietnam would love to hear from you.

Date: 02 June 2026

Writer: Ha Le