Vietnam's Mekong Delta has immense opportunities for herbal-based medicine development: exec
The government should prioritize planning for designated growing areas and support product promotion to advance the development of products derived from medicinal herbs, said Pham Thi Xuan Huong, general director of OPC Pharmaceutical JSC.
Huong made these remarks at the Mekong Connect 2024 forum held in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on Tuesday. OPC is a leading company in development and production of herbal-based pharmaceuticals.

Pham Thi Xuan Huong, general director of OPC Pharmaceutical JSC, speaks at the Mekong Connect 2024 forum held in An Giang province, southern Vietnam, December 17, 2024. Photo courtesy of the forum.
Huong emphasized that Vietnam has significant potential for developing medicinal herbs, but the potential remains underutilized. The Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry predominantly focuses on manufacturing, while the raw material production sector has yet to be established.
Currently, 75% of medicinal herbs are imported, primarily from China and India. 2023 data from the Department of Traditional Medicine Management shows Vietnam consumes approximately 100,000 tons of medicinal herbs annually.
The global market for herbal medicine also offers substantial opportunities. According to the Global Industry Analysts, the global herbal medicine market reached $110 billion in revenue in 2021 and is projected to grow to $179 billion by 2026.
Huong noted that Vietnam could tap into this expanding market by leveraging its strengths in medicinal herbs. Focusing on the Mekong Delta, one of eight medicinal herb regions designated by the government, she highlighted its promising potential based on OPC’s research.
“The Mekong Delta has immense opportunities. At OPC, we’ve successfully developed two sustainable medicinal herb regions in Can Tho and Dong Thap. These regions are thriving and are poised for even greater growth,” she noted.
OPC has been at the forefront of medicinal herb development for 47 years. The company has consistently focused on Vietnamese herbal products, exporting to 15 countries. The global demand for safe and health-promoting products aligns well with the medicinal herb industry’s strengths, Huong added.
“OPC has heavily invested in two key areas, including research and development and the digitization of all data within the research center. This enables us to utilize both domestic and international scientific research. For products that affect health, scientific evidence and technological applications are essential. Looking ahead, OPC plans to incorporate AI into research,” Huong remarked.
Drawing on OPC’s experience in establishing raw material supply chains, Huong explained that the company strategically focuses on products that align with its resources and market advantages.
She emphasized the importance of sustainability in developing growing areas, which not only secures raw material supplies but also facilitates technological investment. She noted that medicinal herbs are not widely recognized globally, making it critical to invest in scientific evidence, starting from the cultivation stage.
Based on OPC’s experience and the challenges encountered in developing growing areas, Huong made three key recommendations. First, she urged the government to formulate a detailed plan for growing areas. Such a plan would enable businesses to define strategies and make informed investment decisions.
Second, she suggested the government assist businesses in promoting and marketing products from these growing areas.
“Regional products must grow within their regions to support local economies. Businesses need mechanisms to collaborate with localities for product promotion and trade. Medicinal herb products marketed through tourism could greatly benefit, as they are often trusted as gifts or souvenirs,” she said.
Third, Huong called on the government to support the establishment of processing facilities within growing area clusters.
“When businesses develop growing areas, they need locations for preliminary processing before transferring raw materials to main factories. The government’s support in allocating and developing these facilities would be invaluable,” she noted.
- Read More
Central Vietnam province reviews investment proposal for thermal power project after Thai EGATi pullout
Authorities in the central province of Quang Tri are evaluating a proposal from Power Generation JSC 1 (EVNGENCO 1), a subsidiary of state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN), to take over the Quang Tri thermal power plant project, following the withdrawal of Thai investor EGATi.
Energy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 1:44 pm GMT+7
Amata to sell stakes worth $46 mln in Vietnam units to Novaland-tied buyers
Amata VN, the Vietnam arm of Thailand’s leading industrial park developer Amata, has approved a plan for its subsidiary Amata City Long Thanh Urban JSC (ACLT) to sell its remaining 51% stakes in two entities to local developer Novaland-linked buyers.
Real Estate - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 12:19 pm GMT+7
Vietnam already meets FTSE's criteria for stock market status upgrade: Finance Minister
Vietnam has fulfilled the criteria for a stock market status upgrade by FTSE Russell through reforms aimed at facilitating foreign investment inflows into its market, said Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang.
Economy - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 9:36 am GMT+7
Banks should be allowed to distribute, invest in mutual fund certificates: Vietnam's finance ministry
The Ministry of Finance is proposing a key reform that would allow commercial banks to invest in and distribute mutual fund certificates, as part of a broader plan to restructure the investor base and foster the development of Vietnam’s fund management industry.
Finance - Tue, September 16, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
E-commerce boom a major driver of Vietnam's packaging paper industry growth
Vietnam's paper packaging industry is entering a period of strong growth, with an average annual growth rate forecasted at 10% until 2030.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7
Vietnam needs support from UK in developing international financial center: Deputy PM
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has called on the UK and the City of London to continue supporting and accompanying Vietnam in promoting and introducing its international financial center (IFC).
Finance - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:12 pm GMT+7
Vietnam enforces 8% capital adequacy ratio for banks from Sept 15
Commercial banks and foreign bank branches in Vietnam must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 8%, including at least 4.5% in Tier 1 core capital and 6% in Tier 1 capital, starting from September 15.
Banking - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:04 pm GMT+7
Tool for wood traceability management debuts in Vietnam
The Vn-WoodID application has been officially launched in Vietnam, becoming a key tool contributing to wood traceability.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:00 pm GMT+7
Sun Group, US Embassy foster aviation-hospitality cooperation
Sun Group, in collaboration with the US Embassy in Vietnam, hosted the US – Vietnam Aviation Partnership Roundtable on September 12, bringing together 15 leading American corporations in aviation, technology, and financial services, opening up opportunities to position Phu Quoc as a new aviation and tourism hub in the region.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 9:54 pm GMT+7
Vietnam tops Thai giant SCG’s overseas markets with 9% revenue contribution in H1
Vietnam remained the largest overseas market for Thailand’s Siam Cement Group (SCG) in the first half of 2025, contributing 9% of consolidated sales.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 8:10 pm GMT+7
Central Vietnam to have new airport Mang Den
Procedures to adjust Vietnam's airport system planning, including the addition of Mang Den Airport in central Vietnam, are being proceeded, according to the Ministry of Construction.
Infrastructure - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 5:16 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's government seeks to position country as 'regulated hub for digital assets in Asia': Dragon Capital
The Vietnamese Government has advanced the regulation of digital assets, with a resolution launching a five-year pilot framework for issuance and trading. This framework signals the Government’s intent to position the country as a regulated hub for digital assets in Asia, which could attract new capital inflows, write Dragon Capital analysts.
Economy - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 2:20 pm GMT+7
Agribank introduces sizable $4.17 bln preferential credit package
Right from the beginning of 2025, Agribank launched a substantial preferential credit package worth VND110 trillion ($4.17 billion) to support individual customers.
Companies - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 1:32 pm GMT+7
'Precious space' in Vietnam's monetary policy
The Federal Reserve's continued cuts in 2025, with the most recent in September, are considered a valuable policy "space" for the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to maintain low interest rates to support growth without having to worry too much about exchange rates.
Economy - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 10:15 am GMT+7
Vietnam’s central bank sells $1.5 bln to stabilize currency: broker MBS
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) intervened in the foreign exchange market by selling approximately $1.5 billion via 180-day cancelable forward contracts from August 25-26, in an effort to ease pressure on the Vietnamese dong, according to a recent report by MB Securities (MBS).
Banking - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 8:04 am GMT+7
Hanoi aims to break ground on $11.4 bln Red River Boulevard & Landscape project by Jan 2026
A consortium of “tunnel king” Deo Ca Group and real estate developer Van Phu Invest has been assigned by the Hanoi People’s Committe to prepare an investment proposal for the VND300 trillion ($11.37 billion) Red River Boulevard & Landscape project.
Real Estate - Mon, September 15, 2025 | 7:55 am GMT+7