VIETNAM

Halal-friendly holidays

Vietnam has less than 1% of Muslims. However, there are still mosques, restaurants serving halal food and hotels that are alcohol-free, especially in larger cities.

Halal food is available in some restaurants, but more commonly in Indian and Turkish restaurants in larger cities such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. There are many seafood restaurants, especially in the coastal regions of Vietnam. Some hotels serve halal food. Vegetarian and vegan restaurants are widespread.

Most hotels in Vietnam serve halal food on request and some serve halal food. There are some hotels that are alcohol-free and most offer alcohol-free rooms. One hotel is alcohol-free and serves halal food only.

Hanoi - Vietnam's charming capital has preserved its old town, monuments and colonial architecture while boasting modern developments. Visit historical sites such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison. Hanoi is also home to lakes, parks, markets, shady boulevards and more than 600 temples and pagodas (tiered towers).

Halong Bay - About two and a half hours drive from Hanoi lies Halong Bay – a group of tree-covered limestone mountains and islands. It is highly recommended to take an overnight cruise. Activities include canoeing, kayaking, hiking and fishing.

Mekong River Delta - Located in southern Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a vast landscape of rivers, swamps and islands with floating markets, pagodas and villages surrounded by rice paddies that can be discovered by boat.

Hoi An - Located in central Vietnam, Hoi An is extremely popular with tourists for its ancient canals, French colonial buildings and Japanese covered bridge. It is also home to some of Vietnam's best beaches and bustling markets.

Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's largest city is a bustling metropolis and has consistently warm temperatures all year round. Most of the attractions are located in District 1 and include the SkyDeck, the Moving War Remnants Museum, the Saigon Opera House, the Central Post Office and the Ben Thanh Market.

There are many mosques in Vietnam, most of which are in Ho Chi Minh City. Here are some of them:

Saigon Central Masjid - The Saigon Central Masjid was built by Indian Muslims in 1935 and is located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. There are numerous halal restaurants and cafes outside the mosque.

Cho Lon Masjid - Located in District 5 of Ho Chi Minh City, Cho Lon Masjid was a place of worship for the Malay and Indonesian communities in Ho Chi Minh City. Today everyone is welcome. Arabic lessons are given here three times a week.

Al Rahim Masjid - Located in District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, Al Rahim Masjid was built for its Malay and Indonesian communities. It is open for daily prayers and Jumu'ah Khutbahs.

Al-Noor Masjid - Located in Hanoi, Al-Noor Masjid is the only place of worship for Muslims in the Northern Vietnam region. It is a small and compact mosque that is open for daily prayers.

Masjid Bà Rịa - This small mosque in the town of Ba Ria is located in southern Vietnam, near Ho Chi Minh City. It is open for daily prayers and Jumu'ah Khutbahs.