A significant milestone was the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on October 28, 2024, in Dubai, witnessed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Under the commitments, the UAE will eliminate tariffs immediately upon the agreement’s entry into force for 99% of Vietnamese exports, while Vietnam pledges to cut tariffs for 98.5% of goods imported from the UAE. This agreement lays an important foundation for Vietnamese products to expand their presence in the Middle East market in general.
The Middle East market does not impose as stringent technical standards as the EU or the U.S., and customs procedures are relatively simpler, facilitating Vietnamese businesses. However, if Halal is considered a long-term strategy, it requires a coordinated approach involving policy support, logistics systems, trade promotion, and thorough business investment mindset.
Markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have large import demands, but to compete with countries like India and Brazil, Vietnamese enterprises need to obtain Halal certification from reputable organizations and improve product quality.
Currently, Vietnamese businesses face several difficulties. Firstly, there is a limited understanding of Islamic consumer culture, leading to ineffective product and marketing strategies. Secondly, the Halal certification process is complicated and inconsistent across countries, requiring businesses to seek certification from multiple organizations, resulting in increased costs and time. Additionally, the food processing sector lacks sufficient personnel knowledgeable about Halal standards, and sources of certified Halal raw materials remain limited.
Businesses need to invest in training and raising awareness about Halal standards and Islamic consumer culture. At the same time, they should build management systems that meet Halal requirements, ensure hygiene, food safety, and clear traceability. Collaborating with reputable Halal raw material suppliers will help maintain consistent quality and build a sustainable supply chain.
Furthermore, developing appropriate marketing strategies and leveraging specialized sales channels such as Halal trade fairs, e-commerce platforms, and B2B marketplaces will help directly connect with international partners and expand markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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