Hanoi (VNA)🉐 - Recognising the great potential of Muslim tourists from the Middle East, the capital city of Hanoi is preparing the necessary conditions to proactively attract this unique market segment.

Halal tourism, also known as Muslim-friendly tourism, caters specifically to the needs of Muslim travellers. Due to cultural and religious differences, this group has distinct lifestyles, practices, and dietary requirements. Muslims abstain from certain meats, particularly pork, carnivorous animals, several amphibians, as well as alcoholic beverages. In recent years, with increasing cultural exchanges, Muslim tourists have been visiting Vietnam, and Hanoi in particular, in growing numbers. Most of these travellers come from Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and some Middle Eastern countries. A recent example is a group of 200 Iranian tourists who chartered an entire flight to Hanoi, demonstrating the strong potential of the Halal tourism market. According to Trinh Thi Thu Ha, Rector of the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism, Halal tourism is emerging as a global trend. With over 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, Halal tourism is expected to contribute nearly 350 billion USD to the global travel industry by 2030. This is a highly promising market that we need to actively tap into, she noted. The concept of Halal goes far beyond simply serving meals without pork or alcohol. It encompasses accommodations, prayer times, worship services, hospitality styles, and even respect for religious beliefs. However, the number of accommodations and restaurants in Hanoi that meet Halal standards remains limited, and travel businesses face challenges in serving this group. In Southeast Asia, countries like Thailand and Singapore, despite not having large Muslim populations, have developed a Halal tourism "ecosystem" with compatible restaurants, hotels, shopping centres, and entertainment services. Hanoi possesses many advantages to become a Halal tourism hub, potentially transforming this market into a powerful catalyst for the city’s tourism sector. Building a Halal-friendly ecosystem is now an essential step. Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said tapping into the Halal market is not just about aligning with a global trend, but also a sustainable growth strategy that helps Hanoi expand its reach into the Muslim world. To welcome this market, Director of the National Halal Certification Centre (HALCERT) Ramlan Bin Osman suggested that hotels and restaurants offer dedicated Halal food and coffee areas. Entertainment venues need separate spaces for men and women. Attractions must meet Muslim-friendly standards. Since Muslims pray at specific times daily, airports and hotels should also provide dedicated prayer areas. Giang emphasised that the Department of Tourism will step up awareness campaigns among tourism businesses about the characteristics of Muslim travelers. The department will also work with airports and accommodation providers to prepare Halal-friendly zones and suitable dining services. Hanoi plans to collaborate with embassies and international organisations to boost cultural exchange with Muslim countries and train human resources for this market. The goal is to build a comprehensive Halal tourism ecosystem by 2030, with priority given to establishing Muslim-friendly areas in the city centre. Several travel businesses are also intensifying their strategies to attract Halal tourists. Chairman of the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club Truong Quoc Hung said the club has signed a cooperation agreement with the Halal Training Centre to raise awareness and train personnel for this market. They are also working to develop a complete Halal-standard tourism product chain, covering ground services, dining, hotels, sightseeing, communication, and marketing./.