Removing bottlenecks to bring Lai Chau ginseng into the Vietnamese pharmacopoeia

Sample collection to be completed before October 2026

Under the plan to develop Vietnamese standards and pharmacopoeial specifications for Lai Chau ginseng, implementation is expected to begin in May 2026. The Lai Chau Department of Science and Technology will take the lead, coordinating with relevant agencies and specialized organizations to collect and review domestic and international reference materials.

According to Duc, the data sources will include standards, technical regulations, pharmacopoeias, and scientific research related to ginseng in general and Lai Chau ginseng in particular. All materials collected will be compiled, classified, and assessed according to specific categories, focusing on biological characteristics, chemical composition, quality indicators, testing methods, and inspection criteria.

At the same time, professional agencies will study and compare existing standards to identify suitable elements that can be inherited and adapted in developing a dedicated set of standards for Lai Chau ginseng based on scientific and practical considerations.

Based on the systematized data, authorities will complete a draft framework defining the scope, applicable subjects, structure, and core contents of the Vietnamese standard for Lai Chau ginseng.

Leaders of the Department of Science and Technology said key quality indicators will be clearly identified, alongside proposed testing and inspection methods tailored to each criterion to ensure accuracy and practical applicability. An explanatory report for the framework will also be completed, serving as an important foundation for drafting the Vietnamese standard in the next phase.

At the same time, Lai Chau province plans to organize a consultation workshop to gather feedback from scientists, experts, and regulatory agencies on the development of Vietnamese ginseng standards, while also proposing the inclusion of Lai Chau ginseng in the Vietnamese Ginseng Monograph of the Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia.

By October 2026, professional agencies will begin field surveys and sample collection. A total of 15 samples are expected to be collected to evaluate testing methods and establish quality threshold indicators, with each sample weighing approximately 150 grams in dried form.

The samples will be collected from four key areas, Sin Ho, Muong Te, Phong Tho, and Tam Duong, regions considered to possess ecological conditions suitable for the cultivation and development of Lai Chau ginseng.

Following analysis and evaluation, authorities will seek feedback from relevant individuals and organizations to assess the effectiveness of applying Vietnamese ginseng standards to the stem and root of the plant, while continuing efforts to include Lai Chau ginseng in the national standards system.

Accelerating the development of standards

At the implementation meeting, many participants emphasized the need to accelerate scientific research as well as the process of developing standards and pharmacopoeial documentation for Lai Chau ginseng.

Some delegates said it is necessary to clearly determine the timing of sample collection to ensure representativeness and compliance with standards, while also prioritizing the preparation of comprehensive scientific dossiers to support the inclusion of Lai Chau ginseng in the Vietnamese Ginseng Monograph.

They noted that the process requires close coordination among government agencies as well as the participation of scientists, businesses, and industry associations.

Concluding the meeting, Vice Chairman Ha Trong Hai acknowledged and highly appreciated the proactive efforts of the Department of Science and Technology and the effective coordination of the Departments of Agriculture and Environment and Health throughout the implementation process.

Hai stressed that Lai Chau ginseng is a valuable medicinal herb with significant potential. However, without a clearly defined standards system and inclusion in the Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia, its legal standing and commercial value cannot be fully realized.

To ensure effective implementation, provincial leaders requested the Department of Science and Technology to continue serving as the lead agency, overseeing and urging relevant units to follow the established roadmap and ensure both progress and quality at every stage.

The Lai Chau Department of Agriculture and Environment has been tasked with providing complete and accurate information on cultivation areas, genetic resources, and standardized production processes to directly support the development of standards.

The department must also review forest areas under state management and propose appropriate forest allocation plans to facilitate the sustainable development of raw material zones.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health will participate in evaluating technical criteria to ensure Lai Chau ginseng meets strict requirements before being included in the Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia.

In addition, relevant departments and agencies have been instructed to strengthen coordination and proactively prepare for the organization of an upcoming Ginseng Festival.

The Lai Chau Ginseng Association has been encouraged to expand membership and strengthen connections with businesses and cooperatives, thereby creating closer coordination in providing samples, production data, and practical feedback. Officials view this as a key factor in ensuring that the standards, once issued, are highly applicable and aligned with real-world conditions.

Provincial leaders also emphasized that any difficulties or obstacles arising during implementation must be promptly reported to the Department of Science and Technology for consolidation and submission to the provincial People’s Committee for immediate direction and resolution.

Successfully developing Vietnamese standards and securing the inclusion of Lai Chau ginseng in the Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia is not merely a technical objective, officials said, but also a way to affirm the product’s quality and reputation. It is expected to provide an important foundation for expanding markets, increasing economic value, and promoting the sustainable development of Lai Chau’s medicinal herb industry in the years ahead.