3 pillars for high-value herbal medicine in Lao Cai

The delegation included leaders of specialized divisions under the Department: the Sub-Department of Plant Production and Protection, Animal Health and Production, and Aquaculture; the Forest Protection Sub-Department; and the Agricultural Extension Center.

The delegation visited the artichoke-growing area, the Sa Pa ginseng cultivation area, and medicinal research facilities. At these sites, Mr. Tran Minh Sang and the delegation learned about production organization, raw material zone development, and medicinal resource conservation, while identifying difficulties and bottlenecks at the grassroots level.

The inspection aimed to assess raw material zone development potential, seed stock quality, production and processing techniques, and consumption markets, and to identify key stages to increase the value of local medicinal herbs.

At the Sa Pa Medicinal Materials Research Center (National Institute of Medicinal Materials - Ministry of Health), the delegation exchanged views with specialized cadres regarding research, variety selection, and in-depth medicinal herb development orientations.

Mr. Luong Van Hao, Vice Director of the Sa Pa Medicinal Materials Research Center, said developing medicinal herbs requires focusing on 3 key stages, starting with seed sources. Accordingly, varieties must be researched, selected, and methodically evaluated regarding origin, growth characteristics, productivity, quality, and genetic sources. At the same time, applying technology is essential to accurately determine origins and select elite seed sources, laying the foundation for developing raw material zones with stable quality and building brands.

Along with varieties, cultivation and intensive farming techniques must continue to be researched and perfected, heading toward establishing concentrated raw material zones with stable yields and quality that fulfill large-scale commodity production requirements.

The third stage is deep processing. The Center proposed strengthening post-harvest technology research, active ingredient extraction, enzyme and microorganism applications, and new product development. In parallel, the Center must establish specific standards for each product to serve as a basis for quality control, branding, and market expansion.

Following surveys across growing zones and hearing feedback from research units, Mr. Tran Minh Sang, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, considered that Lao Cai possesses ample conditions to develop medicinal herbs into a high-value commodity sector. Resolution No. 48-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Executive Committee on medicinal material development and Resolution No. 24/2026/NQ-HDND on policies encouraging and supporting medicinal development have created an essential foundation to expand growing areas and elevate product value.

Currently, Lao Cai possesses over 6,200 hectares of medicinal herbs. According to Mr. Tran Minh Sang, local people desire to expand production. This represents a favorable condition, but for medicinal herbs to develop sustainably, a linkage must be forged among 3 factors: good varieties, cultivating farmers, and enterprises participating in processing and consumption.

Among these, market outlets are identified as the priority issue to resolve. If raw material zones and good varieties exist without processing enterprises and consumption markets, expanding production will be difficult to sustain.

From inspection realities, the Director of the Lao Cai Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment requested affiliated departmental units, localities, and the Sa Pa Medicinal Materials Research Center to coordinate more closely, from research, variety selection, and technical transfer to production zone organization. Expanding acreage must be coupled with raw material quality, processing, and market demand, avoiding situations where individual units operate in isolation without coordination.

"To create products with stable quality, seed sources must first be well controlled. Units need to coordinate and strengthen linkages, avoiding isolated implementation. Only then can we establish concentrated medicinal zones, build brands, and enhance value," Mr. Tran Minh Sang emphasized.