On May 30, Ha Long University, in collaboration with the Institute for South Asian, West Asian and African Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, organized the international conference “Developing Quang Ninh into One of Vietnam’s Leading Muslim-Friendly Tourist Destinations.”

Vice Chairwoman of the Quang Ninh People’s Committee - Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh - introducing the potential and strengths of the province's tourism sector.

The event gathered the participation of Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee, and over 200 delegates from both domestic and international organizations. Attendees included ambassadors of Muslim countries to Vietnam, international organizations, experts, scholars, and businesses from various fields related to Halal.
Halal tourism, a form of tourism that adheres to Islamic principles on food, accommodation, transportation, entertainment, and shopping, was the core focus of the event.

200 domestic and international delegates, including ambassadors of Muslim countries to Vietnam attending the event

In her opening remarks, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh emphasized that with an open economy and a stable environment, Vietnam — particularly Quang Ninh — is increasingly integrating into the global Halal value chain. With aspirations to become a pioneer in building a tourism model aligned with the culture and needs of Muslim travelers, the conference provided a platform for Quang Ninh to exchange knowledge, share experiences, analyze the current situation, and shape strategies for sustainable Halal tourism development in the province.

Muslim ambassador attending the event expressed that over 2 billion Muslims worldwide expect Quang Ninh to be their ideal travel destination

The province hopes to receive continued attention, support, and collaboration from ambassadors, experts, and domestic and international organizations to move toward becoming Vietnam’s most Muslim-friendly tourism destination.

In their presentations, the delegates emphasized that with over 2 billion Muslims around the world, the demand for tourism, leisure, and exploration among the Muslim community is rapidly increasing. As one of Vietnam’s key tourism hubs, Quang Ninh has recognized this emerging trend, seized the opportunity, and is developing a well-structured strategic approach — a decisive factor in attracting more Muslim visitors and building a strong destination brand for the Halal tourism market.

During the seminar, experts presented insightful perspectives and pointed out key issues in building and developing Muslim-friendly tourism in Quang Ninh. Topics included:

Understanding the Muslim tourism market

Defining and meeting Halal standards

Enhancing human resource capabilities to serve this niche market

Assessing the current state and future potential of Halal tourism in Quang Ninh  

Mr. Nguyen The Hue, Chairman of the Quang Ninh Tourism Association, noted that many local tourism businesses can quickly adapt to, and are capable of meeting the needs of Muslim tourists.

Building upon the identified opportunities and challenges, experts proposed several strategic solutions to help Quang Ninh “take off” and affirm its position as a leading destination for Muslim travelers. Recommendations included:

Establishing a comprehensive tourism ecosystem that meets Halal requirements

Developing a destination branding strategy focused on the Muslim market

Strengthening the capacity of human resources dedicated to Halal tourism

MOU signing between Ha Long University and Halal Raja Vietnam Training Co., Ltd.

As part of the conference, a cooperation agreement was signed between Ha Long University and Halal Raja Vietnam Training Co., Ltd. to improve training quality, consultation, and Halal certification in Quang Ninh. The province boasts favorable conditions for Halal tourism, with rich natural landscapes and more than 600 historical and scenic sites, notably the world-renowned Ha Long Bay. Alongside these attractions, Quang Ninh possesses modern tourism infrastructure and transport systems capable of accommodating the demands of the Muslim travel market.

Delegates visiting exhibition booths featuring Quang Ninh’s OCOP products tailored to Muslim travelers’ preferences and lifestyle.

Importantly, Quang Ninh is the first locality in Vietnam to sign a cooperation agreement with the Center for Conformity Certification to implement standards for Muslim-friendly tourism. Once completed, Quang Ninh will officially become the first province in the country to apply Halal standards in the tourism sector, contributing to the development of the Halal industry in Vietnam. This initiative also aligns with the Prime Minister’s Project on Strengthening International Cooperation for the Development of Vietnam’s Halal Industry until 2030, approved on February 14, 2023.

The conference concluded with expert recommendations and comprehensive discussions on how Quang Ninh can strategically develop its Muslim-friendly tourism offerings and become a trusted destination for Muslim travelers.