Lao Cai enhances the role and position of traditional medicine in health care

Lao Cai is one of the provinces with rich and rare medicinal resources. The province is gradually building and developing the traditional medicine industry to serve medical examination, treatment, and health care for the people, while at the same time linking it with tourism development.

Expanding high-quality medicinal herb growing areas

Lao Cai is one of eight key medicinal plant growing regions in Vietnam according to the Master Plan for Medicinal Plant Development to 2030 approved by the Prime Minister. Medicinal plants are also identified as key crops in the province's Commodity Agricultural Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050.

The area of ​​medicinal plant cultivation in the area is increasingly expanding with many types of plants meeting GACP - WHO standards. The models of medicinal plant production combined with tourism are strongly developing, especially medicinal bath services, foot baths, steam baths and medicinal gift products such as artichoke extract, herbal tea, ginseng, natural cosmetics... The remedies and treatment methods of the Mong, Dao Do, Tay, Giay people have been passed down through many generations, in which the medicinal bath therapy of the Dao Do in Sa Pa has become a famous tourist product, attracting domestic and foreign tourists.

The models of growing medicinal plants continue to be expanded. Recently, the province has piloted growing chrysanthemums in Sa Pa and Bat Xat, hoping to create sustainable livelihoods, increase income for farmers, and at the same time contribute to promoting the image of local tourism. Farmers in the province have experience in growing and developing indigenous medicinal plants, helping to increase competitive advantages compared to other crops. The participation of enterprises in investment linkages and raw material purchasing also helps stabilize product output, creating peace of mind for people in production.

The area of ​​medicinal plant cultivation in Lao Cai is expanding with many types of plants meeting GACP - WHO standards.

Support research, preservation and promotion of traditional medicine

From now until 2030, Lao Cai strives to maintain and develop about 5,000 hectares of medicinal herbs, build at least two preliminary processing and processing facilities, form 2-3 medicinal herb brands and create 3-5 more products associated with the "One Commune One Product (OCOP)" Program. The province aims to form five groups of medicinal herb products associated with tourism and at least five eco-tourism and medicinal herb experience spots in Sa Pa, Bac Ha, Bat Xat and Bao Yen.

To achieve this goal, the province continues to preserve precious medicinal herbs in Hoang Lien National Park, Bat Xat Nature Reserve, Hoang Lien - Van Ban, and at the same time plans and expands high-quality medicinal herb growing areas, ensuring a stable supply for production and export. The province builds a closed value chain from planting, harvesting, processing to distribution, supporting research, conservation and application of traditional remedies of ethnic minorities, combining traditional medicine with modern medicine to develop health care products such as herbal extracts, medicinal teas, essential oils, and natural cosmetics.

Lao Cai province also promotes the application of technology in processing, investing in deep processing lines, preserving and extracting essences to increase added value, build brands, and certify quality (OCOP, VietGAP) for traditional medicine products. Enterprises and cooperatives are encouraged to invest in upgrading processing lines, enhancing product promotion, and prioritizing the development of medicinal products associated with tourism and the OCOP program.

The development of traditional medicine products is considered a sustainable direction, helping Lao Cai effectively exploit natural resources and preserve traditional cultural values. With great potential and clear orientation, Lao Cai is expected to continue to affirm its position on the map of traditional medicine in Vietnam, providing high-quality products, contributing positively to improving community health.

From now until 2030, Lao Cai strives to maintain and develop about 5,000 hectares of medicinal herbs.

Implementing Directive No. 25/CT-TTg on developing traditional medicine in the new period

Vice Chairwoman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee Vu Thi Hien Hanh has just signed and issued a document directing the implementation of Directive No. 25/CT-TTg dated September 15, 2025 of the Prime Minister on promoting the development of Vietnamese traditional medicine in the new period, aiming to enhance the role and position of traditional medicine in the work of caring for, protecting and improving people's health.

Accordingly, Lao Cai Department of Health is assigned to take the lead, guide, inspect and urge units to implement; focus on consolidating and developing the system of examination and treatment using traditional medicine at all levels; improve service quality, increase the rate of examination and treatment using traditional medicine; at the same time, invest in and upgrade the Provincial Traditional Medicine Hospital in a modern direction, harmoniously combining traditional medicine and modern medicine.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/lao-cai-nang-cao-vai-tro-va-vi-the-y-hoc-co-truyen-trong-cham-soc-suc-khoe-169251115011344849.htm