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On October 13, 2026, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1976/QD-TTg approving the National Strategy for the Development of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

The strategy identifies the development of traditional medicine as a long-term strategic task, linked to public health care, promoting the essence of national culture, and international integration. One of the key orientations is to shift from a treatment-oriented mindset to comprehensive health care, harmoniously combining traditional medicine with modern medicine.

Expanding traditional medicine services at the grassroots level.

Accordingly, by 2030, Vietnam aims for 100% of provinces and cities to have traditional medicine hospitals; and 70% of provincial-level traditional medicine hospitals to have a minimum of 300 beds.

At the grassroots level, 100% of commune-level health stations must have the capacity to provide traditional medicine services; 90% must have at least one staff member trained in this field, and 20% must have a traditional medicine doctor.

Traditional medicine is a strategic, long-term task closely linked to the healthcare of the people.

The target is to achieve a minimum of 10% of medical examinations and treatments using traditional medicine or a combination with modern medicine at the specialized level, 20% at the basic level, and 30% at the initial level. Simultaneously, 100% of geriatric hospitals will have a traditional medicine department; and geriatric departments in provincial general hospitals will integrate traditional medicine into the care and rehabilitation of the elderly.

The strategy also aims to at least double the total cost covered by the Health Insurance Fund for traditional medicine examinations and treatments compared to 2025. This is an increase in total coverage, not a doubling of the payment amount for each individual service.

Developing medicinal plants, boosting research, and promoting digital transformation

In the field of medicinal herbs, Vietnam aims to achieve at least 20% self-sufficiency in domestic medicinal herb needs by 2030; the value of industrial production of medicinal herbs, traditional medicines, and herbal medicines is expected to increase by at least 10% annually, and the export value of these products is expected to increase by an average of at least 10% per year.

Key tasks include developing a plan to establish six centers for the conservation of genetic resources and medicinal plant varieties, and forming 2-5 large-scale medicinal plant cultivation areas with preliminary processing and manufacturing systems.

The strategy simultaneously promotes research demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of traditional medicine and non-drug treatment methods; and the application of biotechnology, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and big data. . By 2030, the number of scientific research, technology, and innovation projects in the field of traditional medicine will increase by at least 15%; and 100% of university training programs in health sciences will include a module on traditional medicine.

Preserving knowledge, improving institutions.

Preserving and digitizing traditional medicine knowledge is also a priority. The goal by 2030 is to digitize at least 70% of the knowledge that has been investigated, collected, and verified; and to research, standardize, and apply at least 30 traditional remedies, treatment methods, or knowledge.

The strategy aims to build national brands for 30 products derived from medicinal herbs, traditional medicines, and herbal remedies; and to establish five lines of healthcare services and products using traditional medicine to serve tourist.The appendix also mentions the development of a plan to establish six centers for museums, preservation, inheritance, and promotion of traditional medicine knowledge in various localities.

Institutionally, the Strategy aims to research and develop a Law on Traditional Medicine, striving to submit it to the National Assembly by the end of 2028. Ministries, sectors, and localities must complete their implementation plans in 2026; the Ministry of Health is responsible for guiding, urging, inspecting, supervising, and compiling the results.

By 2045, Vietnam aims for a comprehensive, modern, and internationally integrated traditional medicine system, closely combined with modern medicine. The medicinal plant industry is oriented towards shifting from exporting raw materials to producing high value-added products, enhancing international competitiveness.