Vietnam boasts a long-standing tradition of ancient medicine, but its utilization in medical examinations and treatments remains low. Annually, the country records approximately 195 million health insurance-covered medical visits, with total expenditures exceeding 160 trillion VND, yet spending on traditional medicine accounts for only about 3,3%, said Tran Thi Trang, Director General of the Health Insurance Department (Ministry of Health), at a workshop on improving the effectiveness of health insurance-covered traditional medicine and pharmacy on the afternoon of 29/5 in Hanoi.

Trang stated that the Party and State's policy is to preserve, inherit, and develop traditional medicine, while ensuring equal integration between traditional and modern medicine. The phrase "combination of traditional and modern medicine" in the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment signifies the interactive and mutually supportive nature of the two medical systems, rather than viewing traditional medicine merely as a supplementary component.

Circular 01/2025 also adds many chronic diseases and conditions requiring specialized techniques, such as acupuncture and rehabilitation, to the list eligible for referral treatment. However, the Ministry of Health acknowledges several shortcomings, particularly the slow update of the disease list and the incomplete inclusion of some specialized areas of traditional medicine.

Regarding technical services, the Ministry of Health assesses that traditional medicine holds an advantage as it is largely not subject to the same health insurance payment rate restrictions as pharmaceuticals. However, many current techniques have low reimbursement rates, which do not adequately reflect the training efforts and professional experience of medical practitioners.

Currently, health insurance coverage has exceeded 97% of the population in Q1/2026, serving as a vital financial foundation to expand access to traditional medicine, particularly at the commune and grassroots healthcare levels. According to Circular 05, health insurance currently covers 222 traditional oriental medicine ingredients, herbal medicines, and 349 traditional remedies. However, the demand for adding new medicines and medicinal herbs is increasing. The Ministry of Health is currently reviewing proposals to include an additional 94 types of medicines and 5 new medicinal herbs in the health insurance coverage list. Furthermore, the agency is also researching adjustments to payment mechanisms for services such as acupuncture, day-patient treatment, and rehabilitation.

"The key to making traditional medicine more accessible to the public is to integrate legitimate traditional technical services and remedies into the comprehensive national health insurance coverage list," Trang said.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha speaking at the conference. *Photo: Tran Minh*

At the conference, Permanent Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha noted that the network for traditional medicine examination and treatment has been continuously strengthened recently. Currently, there are 5 traditional medicine hospitals directly under the Ministry and other ministries/agencies, 61 provincial hospitals, and 10 private hospitals nationwide. He urged the health sector to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current state of health insurance-covered traditional medicine and pharmacy services, clarifying achievements, challenges, and requirements for the new phase.

According to Ministry of Health leaders, there is a need to continuously improve professional quality and the efficient use of the Health Insurance Fund, while enhancing the integration of traditional and modern medicine to provide patients with safer, more convenient, and more effective access to services.

Le Nga