Central Vietnam Highlights Indonesia’s Muslim-Friendly Destinations

Central Vietnam is stepping up efforts to attract Muslim travelers by showcasing its Muslim-friendly services, cultural richness, and new partnerships with Indonesia. Through a major tourism promotion held in Jakarta, the region presented itself as a welcoming and inclusive destination, with Da Nang and Hue positioned at the forefront of this strategy.

This initiative reflects Vietnam’s growing recognition of halal tourism as a key opportunity to diversify its market and strengthen ties with Southeast Asia’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

A Strategic Tourism Promotion in Jakarta

At the end of August 2025, Central Vietnam organized a high-profile tourism event in Jakarta. The program was co-hosted by the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism together with the Hue Department of Tourism. It gathered more than 20 leading Vietnamese travel companies and over 100 Indonesian partners.

Themed “Central Vietnam: One Destination – Endless Experiences,” the showcase introduced a range of offerings from Muslim-friendly tours and halal services to weddings, golf, luxury resorts, and business tourism.

Vietnam’s ambassador to Indonesia, Ta Van Thong, emphasized that tourism is not only an economic driver but also a bridge between the two countries. He highlighted that more than 184,000 Indonesian tourists visited Vietnam in 2024 and expressed optimism that new initiatives focusing on Muslim-friendly services will bring even greater numbers to central Vietnam.

Da Nang’s Push for Indonesian Visitors

Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam, has been proactive in developing connections with Indonesian travelers. Since 2024, the city has hosted familiarization trips for Indonesian travel agencies, showcasing attractions such as the Son Tra Peninsula, Ba Na Hills, My Khe Beach, Cham Museum, and the ancient town of Hoi An.

Local tourism officials have also been working to establish direct flights between Jakarta and Da Nang. This would be a game-changer in making central Vietnam more accessible to Muslim tourists. In parallel, Da Nang has improved services at its airport and encouraged hotels and restaurants to offer halal food options and prayer facilities.

Hue’s Inclusive Tourism Strategy

Hue, known for its Imperial Citadel and UNESCO-listed heritage sites, is also adapting to the growing demand for Muslim-friendly tourism. Authorities have guided local businesses to incorporate prayer spaces in hotels, airports, and restaurants. The city is also promoting halal-certified dining options to make Muslim guests feel welcome.

Hue’s tourism director, Tran Thi Hoai Tram, explained that Muslim travelers from Indonesia and Malaysia are among the top priorities, and customized services are being designed to meet their expectations.

Interest from Indonesian Travel Operators

The event in Jakarta attracted significant attention from Indonesian tour companies. Many praised central Vietnam’s cooler climate, heritage attractions, and willingness to invest in Muslim-friendly services. Industry representatives noted that demand for Vietnam is growing among Indonesian travelers, provided that halal services are easily available.

Building a Muslim-Friendly Ecosystem

Vietnam’s halal tourism sector is still young, but progress is visible. National halal standards have been introduced, and the Vietnam Halal Certification Authority (HALCERT) is now working to certify businesses across hospitality and food services.

Globally, halal tourism is on the rise, with Muslim travelers spending more than 260 billion US dollars in 2023 and projections suggesting this will grow to 350 billion by 2030. Vietnam wants to capture part of this market by combining its unique cultural and natural attractions with Muslim-friendly hospitality.

Challenges remain, such as the limited number of halal-certified restaurants, fragmented standards, and a lack of trained staff with knowledge of Islamic practices. However, with increased collaboration between government agencies and private operators, these gaps are gradually being addressed.

Why Indonesia Matters Most

Indonesia is one of the largest outbound tourism markets in the world, with millions of travelers choosing regional destinations each year. For Vietnam, strengthening ties with Indonesia is strategic not only for tourism but also for broader economic and cultural exchange.

By highlighting Muslim-friendly services in destinations like Da Nang and Hue, Vietnam is positioning itself as a serious competitor to neighboring countries such as Thailand and Malaysia, which have long been popular among Muslim travelers.

Central Vietnam’s Attractions Beyond Halal Services

Muslim-friendly facilities are an important factor, but central Vietnam also offers a wealth of experiences:

• Cultural Heritage: Hue’s Imperial City and royal tombs, Hoi An’s ancient town, and My Son Sanctuary.

• Natural Beauty: The lush jungles of Son Tra Peninsula, the cable car rides at Ba Na Hills, and pristine beaches like My Khe and Cu Lao Cham.

• Modern Comforts: Luxury resorts, golf courses, and wellness retreats that complement heritage tours and natural adventures.

By combining these attractions with accessible halal services, the region is creating a tourism model that is both inclusive and competitive.

Central Vietnam’s efforts to highlight Indonesia’s Muslim-friendly destinations mark a turning point in the region’s tourism strategy. With direct flight plans, halal certification initiatives, and partnerships with Indonesian operators, Da Nang and Hue are positioning themselves as welcoming destinations for Muslim travelers.

As halal tourism continues to grow globally, Vietnam’s inclusive approach could attract not only Indonesians but also Muslim travelers from across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. If momentum continues, central Vietnam could emerge as one of the most promising Muslim-friendly destinations in Asia.