Vietnamese products attract interest at MIHAS 2026 Halal exhibition

Vietnamese products attracted significant interest at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026, held from September 23 to 26. The Vietnam Trade Office in Malaysia reported that hundreds of visitors engaged with the Vietnamese pavilion, which showcased various goods meeting Islamic standards and holding Halal certification. The event facilitated direct exchanges and the signing of several cooperation memorandums between Vietnamese enterprises and international partners.

Despite growing bilateral trade between Vietnam and Malaysia, which reached $16.33 billion in 2025, Vietnamese exports to Malaysia have grown more slowly than imports from the country. Trade officials noted that a primary barrier to expanding Vietnamese exports in sectors like food and beverages is the lack of Halal certification. While many current Vietnamese exports to Malaysia consist of machinery and raw materials that do not require such certification, obtaining Halal status is seen as a critical step to accessing the broader Muslim consumer market. Challenges for Vietnamese businesses include high costs, complex certification processes, and inconsistent standards across different Islamic nations.