TRADITIONAL MEDICINE TOURISM: A JOURNEY TO THE ESSENCE OF VIETNAMESE HEALING

7/27/2026 12:23:22 PM

In the global landscape where medical tourism is rapidly emerging as a powerful trend, Vietnamese Traditional Medicine stands at a historic juncture to assert its position. Taking the lead as a pioneer, Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital is opening up a promising path—transforming thousands of years of heritage into a refined "Traditional Medicine Tourism" product.

A "Golden Opportunity" Driven by Policy

Doctor Do Tan Khoa Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital - Photo by hospital

According to Specialist Doctor Do Tan Khoa, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital is entering a promising era rich with favorable opportunities. A key driving force stems from a comprehensive system of guidelines and policies set forth by the Party and the State, aiming to develop traditional medicine in close alignment with tourism and the cultural economy.

A series of major policy directions, such as Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW, Resolution No. 282/NQ-CP, and Directive No. 25/CT-TTg, have established a solid legal framework. These efforts foster cross-sectoral synergies between healthcare, tourism, and cultural industries. This is viewed as a major breakthrough, enabling the hospital to pioneer a medical tourism model that elevates the value of Vietnamese traditional medicine while promoting the nation's image to international friends.

For Ho Chi Minh City, Resolution No. 31-NQ/TW and Resolution No. 09-NQ/TW define the vision to develop the city into a modern regional service hub, with high-quality healthcare identified as a flagship sector. Notably, the guidance provided by General Secretary To Lam at the National Conference on Traditional Medicine—calling for the "building of a national brand for Vietnamese traditional medicine"—has become the guiding star, shaping the vision and driving the progress of the entire industry.

Preserving heritage with a vibrant, modern spirit - Photo by hospital

Looking ahead to 2030, Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital has anchored its development strategy upon four core pillars, laying the foundation for innovation and sustainable growth:
• High-Quality Clinic: Ensuring treatment efficacy and patient safety, placing patient satisfaction at the absolute center.
• Pharmaceutical Development: Expanding distribution channels for traditional pharmaceuticals to reach national and international markets.
• Traditional Medicine Tourism: Transforming medical services into complete, highly professional tourism products.
• Digital Transformation & AI: Building intelligent information models and applying artificial intelligence to management and predictive care.

The Convergence of East and West in a Southern Cultural Space

East and West in a Southern Cultural - AI photo

The true appeal of this model lies in the harmonious integration of modern medicine, the essence of traditional healing, and local cultural identity. During diagnosis and treatment, traditional medicine practitioners employ the Four Examinations (Tứ chẩn: Inspection, Listening/Smelling, Inquiry, and Palpation) to identify root causes. This is seamlessly combined with modern clinical techniques—such as lab tests and diagnostic imaging—to enhance precision, ensure safety, and meet international standards.

"Naming treatment rooms after Southern landmarks such as Can Tho, An Giang, and Dong Thap, or after signature Southern flowers like the Lotus, Water Lily, and Sesbania, creates a distinct identity for our therapeutic spaces. It honors the cultural spirit of the Southern region while sharing stories deeply intertwined with its land and people," emphasized Dr. Do Tan Khoa.

According to Dr. Khoa, patients and visitors come not only to address health concerns, but also to immerse themselves in the cultural depth, history, lifestyle, and folk medical wisdom of the Southern people, intimately connected with native medicinal plants.

The "Touch" Philosophy: Awakening Body, Mind, and Spirit

Touchpoints - Photo by hospital

Transcending conventional travel services, Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital offers visitors a holistic healing experience guided by the philosophy of "Touchpoints":

• TOUCH THE BODY – Restoration & Relaxation: The journey begins with a comprehensive health assessment based on the 9 body constitutions of traditional medicine, helping individuals better understand their physical nature. Based on this, physicians craft personalized care plans combining traditional therapies and herbal teas to restore physical energy and induce tranquility.
• TOUCH THE MIND – Harmony with Nature: Through gentle, rustic stories about local herbs, plants, and flora shared by healers, visitors gain a deeper understanding of traditional wellness philosophy. They learn to balance Yin and Yang, harmonize emotions, and nurture mental well-being.
• TOUCH THE SPIRIT – Building a Sustainable Lifestyle: The core value of traditional medicine goes beyond treating ailments; it aims to enrich awareness and transform habits. When the body is healthy and the mind is serene, each individual can cultivate a positive lifestyle in harmony with nature and sustainable over time.

Bringing Vietnam's Healing Treasure to the World

Dr. Khoa believes that the greatest competitive advantage of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine lies in its ability to tell compelling stories about medicinal herbs through the lens of culture and heritage, using a language that resonates with modern audiences.

healthcare, culture, and storytelling - Photo by Hospital

"Behind every traditional remedy lies the essence of indigenous knowledge, a profound understanding of nature's laws, and a long-standing commitment to caring for human health—wisdom accumulated over thousands of years of Vietnamese history," he notes.

This unique combination of healthcare, culture, and storytelling creates an opportunity for Traditional Vietnamese Medicine to evolve into a distinctive cultural tourism product—one that not only improves health and wellbeing but also introduces the world to Vietnam's medical heritage and cultural identity.

However, Dr. Khoa emphasizes that realizing this vision requires far more than the efforts of the healthcare sector alone.

The development of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine Tourism calls for a coordinated ecosystem involving government agencies, tourism authorities, airlines, hotels, travel companies, universities, research institutions, and the wider business community.

Only through collaboration can Vietnam fully unlock the potential of its traditional medical heritage and establish itself as a recognized destination for medical and wellness tourism.

A Vision for 2030

By 2030, Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital aims to become a comprehensive center of excellence for healthcare, education, research, and Traditional Vietnamese Medicine Tourism.
The hospital's long-term ambition is to help transform medical tourism into a signature brand of both Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam while showcasing the richness of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine and Vietnamese culture to the international community.

The Message of the Journey - Photo AI

As a reflection of this vision, Dr. Khoa shares a simple yet meaningful verse:
"The essence of Vietnamese medicine,
Imbued with the Southern soul, bringing peace across all lands.
Gentle plants and precious herbs joined in harmony,
Deep with Vietnamese warmth, bringing serenity to the human heart."

Thank you, Doctor, for this insightful and inspiring conversation. We wish you and the hospital team great success in realizing the vision of bringing Vietnamese traditional medicine to shine bright on the global map.

Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital

#TRADITIONALMEDICINETOURISMAJOURNEYTOTHEESSENCEOFVIETNAMESEHEALING, #DoctorDoTanKhoaDirectorofthehospitalHoChiMinhCityTraditionalMedicineHospital,

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