Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Reaches the World: From Cultural Heritage to Global Scientific Value

The year 2025 can be considered a pivotal year, marking the strong expansion of Vietnamese traditional medicine to the world. No longer a heritage preserved only within the national scope, the nation's traditional medicine has taken proactive steps, deeply integrated and created important marks at global health forums. International events in the past year have proven one thing: Vietnamese traditional medicine is being recognized by the world with a new position, both as a unique cultural value and a reliable component of medical science.

Y dược cổ truyền Việt Nam vươn tầm Thế giới: Từ di sản văn hóa đến giá trị khoa học toàn cầu- Ảnh 1. — Vietnamese traditional medicine on the journey of integration and development. Illustrative photo.

This is not only a cultural pride. For the health sector, this is an important guarantee. And for the economy , this is the signal that opens the way for a huge opportunity: the opportunity to develop the Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry based on indigenous resources.

Affirming position and scientific value in the international arena

The integration of Vietnamese traditional medicine is clearly demonstrated through its active participation in global health policy-making forums. One of the most important events is the presence of a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Health of Vietnam in Geneva, Switzerland (May 2025).

On the sidelines of the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA78), the leaders of the Vietnamese Ministry of Health attended and delivered an important speech at the Conference on Traditional Medicine. Vietnam's presence at a major conference, sharing its experience in developing, preserving and combining traditional medicine with modern medicine, demonstrates the country's proactive role in shaping global health policies. This is an affirmation of Vietnam's commitment to making traditional medicine an integral part of the modern health system, a message that has been recognized by the international community.

If the event in Geneva demonstrated Vietnam’s role in policy making, the International Conference on Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BioNCiD 2025) in Cuba, also in May 2025, was a place to showcase impressive scientific achievements and practical applications. At this prestigious scientific forum, Vietnamese Traditional Medicine has become one of the focal points attracting special attention from international scientists, experts and delegates.

The most resonant thing is the reports on the achievements in applying herbal medicine and traditional treatment methods to support the treatment of cancer patients at the Central Hospital of Traditional Medicine. In the context of global medicine seeking effective, safe and well-tolerated solutions to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, Vietnam's approach has opened up many prospects. This recognition at an in-depth international conference is a valuable guarantee for the effectiveness and potential of Vietnamese herbs, proving that the path of combining traditional medicine with modern medicine based on scientific evidence is on the right track.

From international recognition to take-off opportunity for the pharmaceutical industry

The strong impressions in Geneva and Cuba not only bring pride, they directly open the door of opportunity for the domestic pharmaceutical industry. International recognition of scientific and practical treatment values is the most valuable passport, creating investment attraction and a strong lever for trade cooperation.

This opportunity is most clearly demonstrated right at home, through the 33rd International Medical and Pharmaceutical Exhibition (Vietnam Medi-Pharm 2025) taking place in Hanoi. This event brings together hundreds of domestic and international businesses and organizations, becoming an important platform to introduce advanced products and technologies in pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

Y dược cổ truyền Việt Nam vươn tầm Thế giới: Từ di sản văn hóa đến giá trị khoa học toàn cầu- Ảnh 2. — Vietnam Medi-Pharm 2025 is a strong lever to attract investment, promote technology transfer and research cooperation in Vietnam.

In the context of Vietnamese Traditional Medicine having just created a big buzz, the display area of medicinal herbs and traditional medicines at the exhibition has become more vibrant than ever. This is the real bridge for Vietnamese pharmaceutical enterprises to catch the wave of interest from foreign partners. The exhibition is not only a place to promote products, but also a golden opportunity to find strategic partners, exchange extraction and preservation technology and attract foreign investment in developing clean raw material areas, upgrading production plants according to international standards such as GMP-WHO.

International recognition is the driving force, and also the pressure, forcing the Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry to accelerate. The opportunity no longer lies in exporting raw medicinal materials with low added value. Instead, it is developing finished pharmaceutical products, which are thoroughly researched, have clear clinical trials and have standardized the entire supply chain. International imprints in 2025 are the key stepping stone to turn cultural heritage into a modern pharmaceutical industry with high economic value. The nation's thousand-year heritage is truly facing a great opportunity to take off, creating "made in Vietnam" pharmaceutical products that are competitive enough in the global market.