Viện Nghiên cứu Nam Á, Tây Á và Châu Phi

Being together in joy with all Muslim friends in the world, at 18:00, Thurday, April 28^th 2022, Institute for Africa and Middle East Studies (IAMES) belonging to Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) and Vietnam Halal Center (VHC) co-organized the Iftar Ramadan in Conference Hall B1, IAMES’s head office of VASS Building, 176 Thai Ha, Dong Da, Hanoi. This is the first time IAMES – the governmental think-tank ledby Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Phuoc Minh, Director General in cooperation with VHC – the private company incorporated in Vietnam by Mr. Ramlan Osman to put together the Iftar Ramadan in Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam with more than 100 participants including some Muslims ambassadors to Vietnam, diplomats, governmental officials, academics, students and enterprises from the Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries. 

The Muslims ambassadors to Vietnam attended like H.E.Mr. Pengiran Sahari Pengiran Salleh, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Vietnam; H.E Mr. Ali Akbar Nazari, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Vietnam; H.E.Mr. Jamale Chouaibi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Vietnam; H.E.Mr.HASSAN ADAMU MAMANI, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Vietnam and his spouse; H.E.Mrs. Samina Mehatab, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Vietnam and her spouse. Some diplomats from the Middle East, African and Asian countries consist of Mr. Ahmed Abdelmoaty, Deputy Head of Mission, First Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Egypt in Hanoi; Mr. Wibar Albaseer, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Hanoi; Mr. Oucher Redha, First Secretary, Embassy of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in Hanoi; Ms. Amy Wong Yuen Roei,  First Secretary (Economy) and  Mr. Suresh Kaliyana Sundram, Minister Counsellor (Economy), Embassy of Malaysia; Mr. Salaheddine Lalaouinajih, First Secretary in charge of Economic Affairs, Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco; Mr. Kaloyan Kolev, Programme Specialist, Organization of International Francophone (OIF); Mr. Shanmuga Retnam, Partner, MARA Vietnam Board Member, Alliance of Smart City Leaders of Vietnam Director, Admission Overseas (Singapore).

There are many Vietnamese government officials, former ambassadors and academicians, students to take part such as: H.E.Mr. Nguyen Quang Khai, former ambassador of Vietnam to UAE and Iraq; H.E.Mr. Pham Sy Tam, former ambassador of Vietnam to Egypt; H.E.Dr. Nguyen Tran Tuyen, former ambassador of Vietnam to Saudi Arabia; Dr. Tran Thi Thu Ha, Deputy Director of VASS Scientific Management; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang, Director General of Institute for Southeast Asian Studies; Dr. Phan Cao Nhat Anh, Deputy Director of Institute for India and West Asian Studies; Dr. Le Quy Kha, Vice-Chairman of Vietnam-Africa Economic Cooperation Alliance (VAECA); Dr. Phung Danh Thang, Deputy Director of International Francophone Institute (IFI) of Hanoi National University and 07 African students from Cameroon, Togo and Senegal who are studying in the master degree of IFI; Dr. Nguyen Viet Anh, Vice Rector of Dai Nam University (DNU); Dr. Vu Tien Dat, Director of PetroVietnam’s International Cooperation Dept., representatives from MOFA Department of the Middle East – Africa and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), many researchers from VASS institutes of international studies, students from Foreign Trade Universities; National Economic Universities; Arab Faculty of Hanoi University… and all IAMES staff.

The success of the Iftar Ramadan in Hanoi is also contributed by some strategic partners  such as the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Vietnam, the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Vietnam and Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), Malaysia… who gave Halal different food like Meat Braini, Red Chicken Goreish, Luqaimat, Qapoli (Rice) from Oman Embassy; Harira Soup, Chebakia, Sweet Briouat, Seafood Pastilla, Beef and Vegetable Couscous, Chicken Tagine with Lemon Confit, Bread from Moroccan Embassy; Calibri, Beef Seekh Kabab, Mediterranean Salad and some Vietnamese fresh fruits from NCER, IAMES and VHC. Additionally, a lot of Vietnamese, Malaysian and the Middle Eastern enterprises accompanied and exhibited their special products like date, dried fruits, juices, dried rice noodle, herb tea, honey, soap… as the partners including International Francophone Institute (IFI); Vietnam Association of Young Science and Technology (VAYSE); Vietnam Africa Economic Cooperation Alliance (VAECA); SAIZO Technical Power, Natural Affection; A&B Vietnam Investment JSC; SJC Vietnam; Pro Farmer Club; Salt TECH Solution, Malaysia; Xuan Huong Beauty Salon; MOC A LAM Agarwood Craft; Persian Home, Intercontinental Hanoi Landmark 72…

While the attendees were enjoying the sumptuous meals, some of the Muslim guests performed the Maghrib prayers in the designated prayers’ room which was made available by the Board of Organizers. The highlights of the evening is when, Mr. Ramlan Osman, founder of VHC, CEO of Halal COE  addressed the overwhelming response of the  Iftar Ramadan event and Assoc.Prof.Dr. Le Phuoc Minh, Director General of IAMES and Chairman of Halal COE introduced about IAMES and the rationals of Halal COE. Participants got glimpses of the video clips of the Ramadan month celebrated at Wembley Stadium and Trafalgar Square in London.  During the short presentations the Mission and Vision of Halal COE was also presented to all.

In recent years, Halal market is more and more being developed with a high growth rate all around the world from Asia, the Middle East, Africa to Europe and America. Usage of Halal products is being increased not only by the Muslims but also the non-Muslims because they meet the standards of environment, hygiene and food safety. Nowadays, most of Halal producers and suppliers are from the non-Muslims nations. According to the world forum of Halal, the total revenue of global Halal food trade is about 661 billion USD and if including others and Halal service, it will achieve appropriately 1,200 to 2,000 billion USD per year. It’s forecasted, the size of Halal market will rise fast in the coming years and possibly gain 15,000 billion USD by 2050.

Vietnam has a lot of advantages in agriculture, food, tourism, garmen … and is the nation which has deeply integrated and signed FTAs with the regional and world organizations like EVFTA, CPTPP, RCEP… but Vietnam hasn’t yet joined much and efficiently into the global Halal market. Currently, Vietnam has only 20 items of Halal products exported into the relevant markets.  It's a very low number in comparison to the Vietnamese potential and strength. Nearly 40% of Vietnamese localities haven’t got the export products with Halal certification. On the other hand, Vietnam is just the new stepper accessing the global Halal market.

The whole idea of organizing the Iftar Ramadan in Hanoi is firstly introducing the Ramadan month - the fasting month which is the religious and cultural aspect of the Muslims in this Holy month of prayers and forgiveness and  the empathy towards the unfortunate.  And sharing some of the  Halal foods to help the Vietnamese to better understand about the Islamic culture and Muslims practices. Secondly, launching Halal Center of Excellence ( Halal COE) set up by IAMES and VHC as a one stop center to promote Halal industry or Halal ecosystem in Vietnam. Thirdly, matching business to customer (B2C) and business to business (B2B).

Judging from the feedback obtained from a few Ambassadors, enterprises and former civil servants, the Iftar events were not only successful in bridging the cultural diversity together. But also managed to highlight the huge potential of Vietnamese products and services to the 57 OIC untapped Muslims marketspace.