Vietnam's Muslim population is small, estimated around 70,000-90,000 (less than 0.1% of total population), predominantly the indigenous Cham people, a minority ethnic group with a syncretic Islam, alongside smaller communities of Vietnamese converts and other ethnic groups, concentrated in the South Central Coast (Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan) and Mekong Delta (An Giang), with some presence in Ho Chi Minh City. Islam arrived centuries ago via Arab traders, and while a significant part of Cham culture, practice varies, with some orthodox communities and more localized traditions.
Muslims predominantly living in 8 cities across Vietnam have 62 masjids. 17 masjids are located in Ho Chi Minh, which is the economically strongest and most crowded city with a population of 14 million. Vietnam Islamic Centre is the sole authorized body for attending the demands and meeting the needs of the Muslims.
Buddhism is the leading religion of the country, with 55% identifying as Buddhist. Confucianism and Taoism denote an ancient and profound Chinese influence. The first Portuguese missionaries arrived in Vietnam in the sixteenth century and today Catholics represent about 7% of the population.
Vietnam for Muslim travellers
For Muslim visitors, Vietnam is steadily becoming more accessible. While it is not a Muslim-majority country, the people are known for their kindness, and tourism providers are increasingly attentive to halal needs.
Jews are a minor ethno-religious group in Vietnam, consisting of only about 300 people as of 2007. Although Jews have been present in Vietnam and Judaism has been practiced since the late 19th century, most adherents have been, and remain today, expatriates, with few to no native Vietnamese converts.
Islam in Vietnam 🇻🇳 Islam in Vietnam is primarily the religion of the Cham people, an Austronesian minority ethnic group; however, roughly one-third of Muslims in Vietnam are of other ethnic groups. There are an estimated 72,000 Muslims across Vietnam, according to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs.
Who did the Viet Cong fear the most? Tough, battle-hardened South Korean troops were justly feared by Vietcong and North Vietnamese regulars alike during the Vietnam War.
Vietnam is a vibrant country rich in culture, history, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for Muslim travelers. With a growing Halal tourism sector, including Halal cuisine and accommodations, Vietnam is a welcoming destination for Muslims.
however, there are plenty of halal restaurants around the District 1 and other places in Ho Chi Minh City and other bigger cities such as Hanoi and Danang. In addition, McDonald's not really popular even among the Vietnamese, it seems KFC, which is not halal as well, is more popular.
Halal Street Food: A Taste of Survival
Vietnamese Kinh people account for 85.32% of the population of Vietnam in the 2019 census, and are officially designated and recognized as the Kinh people (người Kinh) to distinguish them from the other minority groups residing in the country such as the Hmong, Cham, or Mường.
Vietnam, a one-party Communist state, has been one of south-east Asia's fastest-growing economies. It has been a unified country since 1975, when the armed forces of the Communist north seized the south.
The Vietnamese are not demonstrative so no kissing on the cheek/hugs/backslapping when you say hello. - Low cut tops on women You'll never see a Vietnamese woman show off her cleavage! - Don't give sweeties or pencils etc. to kids you come across whilst touring. Give any treats to their accompanying adults.
Despite its early presence, Islam in Vietnam has faced numerous challenges throughout its history. Political conflicts, cultural assimilation, and periods of persecution have all impacted the Muslim community. The decline of the Champa Kingdom, for example, led to the displacement and marginalization of many Muslims.
You may carry in ONE small, personal Bible; this is acceptable and will not cause any problems.
200 to 300 Vietnamese Muslims also live in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, located in the north of the country. The only mosque in Hanoi is the Al-Noor Mosque, which accommodates about 200 people.
Until now, Popeyes has more than 2,500[5] restaurants in 40 states, and 30 countries worldwide. Popeyes first came to Viet Nam in Jan 2013, and has expanded to 19 locations in Ha Noi & Ho Chi Minh after 3 years.
We set ourselves high standards across all our restaurants and with our suppliers. As part of our commitment to maintaining these standards, we work closely with the Halal Food Authority, who accredit and regularly audit our Halal restaurants.
KFC emerged as the top food and beverage (F&B) chain in Vietnam with an index score of 26.5, according to Decision Lab Best F&B Rankings 2025. Highlands Coffee follows at 22.6, whilst Trung Nguyên Legend, a Vietnamese coffee brand, is in third place with 19.9.
Yes, $1000 USD is generally enough for two weeks in Vietnam for a budget to mid-range traveler, covering basic expenses like hostels, street food, local transport, and some tours, but it will be tight or insufficient if you plan on many expensive tours (like Ha Long Bay cruises), shopping sprees, or fine dining, so budget carefully for activities and souvenirs.
Both Vietnam and Thailand are safe for tourists, but it's always important to be careful. Vietnam has a lower crime rate, and the people are friendly and helpful. Even though it's safe, you should always watch out for pickpockets, especially in busy places. Thailand is also safe, and most tourists don't have problems.
Yes, $100 USD (around 2.5 million VND) is a significant amount for a short trip in Vietnam, enough for budget-to-mid-range travel for several days, covering delicious street food, comfortable guesthouses, and local transport, though it can be spent quickly on high-end dining or luxury hotels, with average monthly incomes being much lower.
As the most common cause of death outside the first 24 hours in Vietnam was secondary to sepsis, understanding the bacteriology of war wounds was of vital importance.
On 2 May 1968, Master Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Roy P. Benavidez distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely valorous actions while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam.
The tonnage of bombs including chemical arms used by the US in Vietnam exceeds that was used throughout the Second World War. This is the reason why some historians consider this war more brutal than the Second World War.