JAKIM Recognition Covers Five Vietnamese Halal Certification Bodies

Malaysia is courting Vietnamese businesses for the global halal supply chain, and one of the mechanics runs through certification. Malaysia’s halal regulator recognizes five Vietnamese certification bodies while only about 17 Vietnamese businesses are directly involved in the halal sector, according to interviews with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) reported by Vietnam News on 26 August 2026.

JAKIM recognizes five Vietnamese halal certification bodies, according to Vietnam News on 26 August 2026, which lets Vietnamese businesses certify exports for Malaysia and other international markets. Matrade has set up a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City, and the same report put the number of Vietnamese businesses directly involved in the halal sector at around 17.

Why the Recognition Matters to Vietnam

Vietnam has worked toward the halal market for the past five years, per the Vietnam News report, but the number of firms directly involved remains modest, at around 17. Vietnam News, which interviewed JAKIM Director General Dr Sirajuddin bin Suhaimee and Matrade Chief Executive Officer Abu Bakar Yusof in Kuala Lumpur, reported that Malaysia is committed to strengthening trade cooperation and to providing technical support so Vietnamese businesses can meet halal requirements. The same 26 August 2026 report described an annual “Buyer Connection” programme connecting Vietnamese businesses with local importers. Voice of Vietnam (VOV), reporting the same day and carried by Shafaqna, said Matrade is also supporting Vietnamese firms through its International Sourcing Programme (INSP). The Halal Times reported in September 2025 that Malaysia was ready to support Vietnam’s halal industry and to promote an ASEAN Halal Council initiative.

Certification Is the Gate

Recognition operates at the level of market access. A certificate from one of the five recognized bodies lets a Vietnamese business certify exports for Malaysia and other international markets, per Vietnam News on 26 August 2026. Malaysia’s certification process includes quarterly audits for medium-risk products and five-year standard updates, the same report said. JAKIM is also building an AI-powered system for automated document verification, expected to launch next year, Vietnam News reported. VOV, the same day, reported that JAKIM is developing an AI-powered certification system expected to launch next year. The differences between JAKIM and MUI certification, and the mutual recognition rules between them, are covered in The Halal Times guide to JAKIM versus MUI certification.

The Wider Trade Relationship

Malaysia-Vietnam trade reached US$14.2 billion in 2024 and US$7.7 billion in the first half of 2025, a 6 percent year-on-year increase, according to VietnamPlus’s 8 August 2025 report on a business forum held in Ho Chi Minh City; the two countries are targeting US$25 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, the same report said. Halal certification is one lever inside that broader trade relationship rather than the whole of it, and it’s the one at issue in the August 2026 reporting.

MIHAS 2026 and the Numbers to Watch

Malaysia will host the 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) from 23 to 26 September 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, according to Bernama’s 8 July 2026 report and to The Edge Malaysia the following day. The Edge Malaysia gave the event theme as “Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience.” Matrade is targeting RM2 billion in export sales through INSP at the event, within a total expected sales figure of RM4.50 billion including INSP, up from the RM3.63 billion MIHAS recorded in 2025, per Bernama. Since MIHAS launched in 2004, INSP has generated RM20.62 billion in cumulative export sales for 10,600 Malaysian companies across 67,200 structured business meetings, Bernama reported. Abu Bakar Yusof said, per that same Bernama report, that Matrade is “targeting approximately 300 buyers, including 50 premium buyers, to attract high-quality decision-makers.” The same report said more than 500 international buyers across 55 economies had registered interest, 15 percent of them returning buyers. The Edge Malaysia quoted Abu Bakar Yusof saying that share demonstrates “sustained confidence in Malaysian exporters.” Those targets cover the showcase as a whole; they’re event-wide rather than Vietnam-specific. Bernama’s 8 July 2026 report gave a 31 July 2026 registration deadline for Malaysian companies.

JAKIM’s document-verification system is expected to launch next year, and the count of Vietnamese businesses directly involved in the halal sector stood at around 17 in the 26 August 2026 reporting. Both are markers to watch when MIHAS opens at MITEC on 23 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Vietnamese halal certification bodies does JAKIM recognize?

JAKIM recognizes five, which Vietnam News reported on 26 August 2026 enables Vietnamese businesses to certify exports for Malaysia and other international markets. VOV, carried by Shafaqna the same day, independently confirmed the count of five.

When is MIHAS 2026 and where is it held?

The 22nd MIHAS runs 23 to 26 September 2026 at MITEC in Kuala Lumpur. Matrade is targeting RM2 billion in INSP export sales within a total expected RM4.50 billion, per Bernama’s 8 July 2026 report, and The Edge Malaysia gave the theme as “Shaping Trust, Driving Resilience.”

How many Vietnamese businesses are directly involved in the halal sector?

About 17 are directly involved after five years of engagement with the market, Vietnam News reported on 26 August 2026.

What is Malaysia-Vietnam bilateral trade worth?

It reached US$14.2 billion in 2024 and US$7.7 billion in the first half of 2025, with the two countries targeting US$25 billion by 2030, according to VietnamPlus’s 8 August 2025 report.

Is JAKIM automating halal certification?

JAKIM is developing an AI-powered system for automated document verification, expected to launch next year, Vietnam News reported on 26 August 2026. VOV that day reported JAKIM is developing an AI-powered certification system on the same timeline.