On August 10, 2026, the Ministry of Health issued Official Dispatch No. 5970/BYT-YDCT on strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of state management and development of traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals.
According to the Ministry of Health, in the past time, state management of medical examination and treatment, production and trading of medicinal herbs and traditional medicines has had positive changes.
However, through the inspection work of the Ministry of Health and the reflection of functional agencies, there is still a situation of trading medicinal herbs, traditional medicines of unknown origin, fake goods, poor quality goods, violating regulations on medical examination and treatment practice, potentially affecting people's health.
Rectifying traditional medicine business at tourist destinations
The Ministry of Health requests the People's Committees of provinces and cities to continue to focus on directing and seriously implementing the work of fighting against smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and intellectual property rights infringement in the health sector.
In which, special attention should be paid to the origin, origin and quality of medicinal herbs and traditional medicines.
The Department of Health and relevant departments, agencies, and sectors are requested to strengthen inspection of the implementation of legal regulations on trading in medicinal herbs, traditional medicines and medical examination and treatment activities using traditional medicine by organizations and individuals in the area.
The Ministry of Health proposes to rectify the situation of trading in medicinal herbs and traditional medicines not in accordance with regulations at tourist destinations (such as relics, temples, pagodas, scenic spots... ). Strictly handle violations (if any); especially fraudulent activities, illegal traditional medicine practice and profiteering on people's health.
Localities are also requested to promote propaganda and dissemination of laws to organizations and individuals on compliance with regulations in practicing medical examination and treatment, advertising, production, and trading of drugs and health care products using traditional medicine.
Be wary of advertising exaggerating product uses
The Ministry of Health proposed to promote propaganda and promotion about the role and value of traditional medicine; orient public opinion, provide official information, refute fake news and false information about the field of traditional medicine in caring for and protecting people's health.
The official dispatch requests to direct mass media agencies to guide people to recognize, choose, and use drugs of clear origin, licensed for circulation, and licensed medical examination and treatment facilities to operate; be vigilant against false advertising tricks, exaggerating product uses.
The Ministry of Health also requested localities to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Health and central ministries and sectors in the process of developing the Strategy for Development of Traditional Medicine in Vietnam to 2030, with a vision to 2045.
Localities need to review and propose appropriate mechanisms, policies and solutions to preserve, inherit, promote and develop Vietnamese traditional medicine; promote the value of medicinal herbs and traditional remedies.
The Ministry of Health also proposed to pay attention to building and replicating effective models of preserving, inheriting and developing traditional medicine associated with developing medicinal material growing areas, developing human resources, improving the quality of medical examination and treatment using traditional medicine; promptly honoring and commending collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements.
