VIETNAM: Malaysia's Halal@Saigon Wins Its Third Award in Vietnam

By M. Saraswathi

Malaysian-owned Halal restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, Halal@Saigon, has won its third The Guide Award in less than three years of operations in the economic centre and most populous metropolitan of Vietnam.

The Guide Award from Vietnam Economic Times honours outstanding entrepreneurs in tourism and service sectors in Vietnam, and Halal@Saigon has been receiving the award for various categories since its started operations, said its founder, Dr M. Shimi Sumathi.

For 2010-2011, the restaurant won for "Marvellous food served in a clean Halal atmosphere by polite and understanding staff," she said.

"This is not my success, this is Malaysia's success," Dr Shimi, who is a nutritionist by profession, told Bernama when met at her restaurant in Ho Chi Minh recently.

Dr Shimi was also given the certificate of appreciation for her dedication and contribution as president of the Malaysia Business Chamber, Vietnam for the 2009/2011 term by Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam, Datuk Lim Kim Eng.

She currently holds the past president post.

The three-storey Halal@Saigon -- strategically located opposite the Central Mosque and the luxury Sheraton Hotel -- have served people from all walks of life seeking out food prepared and served in a clean environment.

"Halal is all about the food or meat prepared in a clean environment and that is what exactly we offer for our patrons," said Taiping-born Dr Shimi.

Opened in February 2009, the restaurant serves Malaysian food like mee mamak, roti canai, laksa, teh-tarik, western dishes and Vietnam favourites such as fish clay pot, fresh spring rolls and grilled mussels.

Having lived in Vietnam for more than a decade has also enabled her to incorporate some Vietnamese cuisines with that of Malaysian flavour.

"Our tag-line is 'No Borders, No Boundaries'," she said.

Such fusion has enabled a lot of foreigners to have a taste of the local food without fearing if the meat is Halal or the dish may have "other meats".

"I have Muslim and non-Muslim staff. They can have anything outside of the premise but not within. They have a separate bathroom to take bath and brush teeth before wearing their uniforms and starting work," she said.

Dr Shimi, who is the managing director of Prime Suppliers which operates a pharmaceutical business, said cleanliness was of utmost priority in her restaurant.

As for future plans, Dr Shimi said she may bring the restaurant concept to Malaysia.

"I am also keen to cooperate with AirAsia, whereby those flying into Ho Chi Minh City by AirAsia can get certain discount if they show their boarding pass. These are still in plans and I am hoping to work it out," she added. -- BERNAMA