Vietnam Boosts Legal Framework and Standardization for Traditional Medicine Development

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), Vietnam is intensifying efforts to develop its traditional medicine sector and ensure patient safety. This policy focuses on establishing legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to maximize the value of traditional medicine while guaranteeing its safety. The WHO has advised countries with long histories of traditional medicine, like Vietnam, to promote the discovery, research, and international standardization of medicinal plants. This includes scientifically-based evaluations and the establishment of strict regulations to ensure safe and effective use. The Vietnamese government aims to enhance public health by integrating traditional and modern medicine, making policy formulation and implementation a pressing task. Key challenges also include clarifying graduation standards in traditional medicine education and preserving/disseminating valuable traditional knowledge through digitalization. These initiatives are foundational for Vietnam to fully leverage the potential of traditional medicine, contribute to public health, and provide safe medical services aligned with international standards. Under its one-party system, the government is pursuing comprehensive reforms in the healthcare sector to balance economic growth with improvements in citizens' lives. While cooperation in traditional medicine with China might be explored, domestic system development is currently prioritized.