Viet Nam – Malaysia trade reached 14.2 billion USD in 2024. In the first half of 2025, bilateral trade increased 6% year-on-year to 7.7 billion USD. Officials see significant room for growth, as Malaysia’s consumer culture is close to Viet Nam’s and tariff barriers are low under ASEAN and CPTPP agreements.
The global Halal market is projected to hit 5 trillion USD by 2030, with Malaysia’s share expected at 113.2 billion USD, spanning food and beverages; cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals with 85.2 billion USD, 10.5 billion USD and 5.9 billion USD, respectively.
Malaysia’s trade promotion agency MATRADE highlighted its pro-business environment and invited Vietnamese firms to tap into its network of over 200 trading partners. Viet Nam’s Halal industry is backed by a government strategy to 2030, aiming to make the country a trusted global Halal hub.
Experts urged Viet Nam to pursue mutual recognition agreements with major Halal certifiers, develop dedicated Halal industrial zones and logistics hubs, digitise certification with blockchain, and create a national “Viet Nam Halal Certified” brand. Human resource training and stronger university–industry links were also emphasised.
Maybank Malaysia's Halal Product Director Shariza Abdul Rasheed noted that Viet Nam’s Halal Certification Agency has been officially recognised by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), enabling easier access to Malaysia’s distribution system. She stressed that Halal certification signals global hygiene, ethics, and sustainability standards, not just religious compliance.
Businesses were encouraged to join key Halal trade events, including the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) from September 17–20, 2025, where the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre will organise a pavilion.
E-commerce platforms such as Malaysia’s Salaam Market and business matchmaking programmes were also recommended to connect Vietnamese producers with local partners, with the aim of raising Viet Nam – Malaysia trade to 25 billion USD by 2030.
