A rigorous, multi-year journey toward international Halal standards

The certification recognizes the restaurant’s efforts to meet strict international Halal requirements and reflects its commitment to fostering a dining environment that respects cultural and religious diversity in Hue.

Nguyen Thi Thuy An, Director of An Nhien Macrobiotic Vegetarian Limited Liability Company, a member company of An Du Hospitality, said: “Our goal is to make An Nhien Garden Vegetarian a place where every guest, regardless of culture or religion, feels welcomed and respected. Achieving Halal certification is an important milestone in fulfilling that commitment.”

To earn the certification, An Nhien Garden Vegetarian underwent extensive assessments, including ingredient traceability, kitchen and equipment management, food safety protocols, and strict compliance inspections by Vietnam National Halal. Over the past several years, the restaurant has taken part in recurring training, monitoring, and on-site audits before receiving final approval, a process that underscores its dedication to operating at international standards.

As part of its preparation, the restaurant also completed a dedicated prayer room designed in accordance with Halal facility requirements. The space is quiet, separate, and meticulously maintained to ensure a respectful environment for Muslim guests.

Tran Van Tan Cuong, Director of Vietnam National Halal Co., Ltd., said: “Throughout our collaboration, we appreciated the restaurant’s seriousness and its strong commitment to meeting global Halal standards. We believe this milestone will help position Hue as a friendly and attractive destination for Muslim travelers.”

For Muslim visitors, Halal certification offers assurance that all ingredients, tools, and food preparation processes are transparent and fully compliant. The availability of a dedicated prayer room further enhances their comfort and sense of respect while traveling. Non-Muslim guests also benefit from Halal standards, which emphasize hygiene, safety, and meticulous service quality.

Halal in Vietnam and Central Vietnam: A fast-growing trend

The certification comes at a time when Vietnam is increasingly embracing the Halal economy. Major domestic brands and several five-star resorts have already obtained Halal certification. This trajectory shows that Halal is becoming an essential benchmark for businesses targeting international visitors.

According to the latest report by CrescentRating, global Muslim travel is expanding rapidly, growing from 160 million travelers in 2019 and projected to reach 230 million by 2028. Muslim travelers are known for higher spending capacity, with an average of US$1,800 per trip, about 30% higher than the global average.

India stands out as one of the fastest-growing markets, recording a 240% increase as of September 2023 and contributing to an estimated US$225 billion in global Muslim travel spending.

Central Vietnam is also seeing strong growth from Muslim markets. According to the Hue Department of Tourism, Hue and Danang welcomed nearly 230,000 Malaysian visitors in 2024 and 140,000 in the first half of 2025. These indicators highlight a significant opportunity for Central Vietnam including Hue to attract a high-potential Muslim visitor segment.

As Vietnam’s service sector shifts toward international standards, Halal certification has become a strategic asset that strengthens An Nhien Garden Vegetarian’s service capabilities and elevates its position in Hue’s culinary and tourism landscape. The restaurant aims to contribute to a modern, welcoming image of Hue, a city where local heritage harmonizes with global hospitality standards.

An Nhien Garden Vegetarian is one of three brands under the An Du Hospitality ecosystem. Located within a 450-year-old ancestral garden house, the restaurant has received the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award, become the only Halal-certified vegetarian restaurant in Hue, and been featured in National Geographic Traveller UK as a symbol of sustainable cuisine and living heritage.

Its vegetarian cuisine goes beyond wholesome plant-based dishes. An Nhien presents a refined dialogue between Hue’s traditional Buddhist culinary culture and modern, sustainable cooking. Each dish is crafted as a journey of discovery, using carefully selected, pure ingredients handled with meticulous respect for nature.