The "International Traditional Medicine Science 2026" workshop took place on 16/9 in Seoul, Korea. The event's theme was "Traceability - Innovation, International Cooperation: Effective Value and Development of Natural Bezoar and Musk Industry". The program gathered leading experts and businesses in traditional medicine from China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

A panoramic view of the workshop. Photo: Tho Sinh Duong

Tho Sinh Duong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. was the only Vietnamese enterprise to participate in the panel discussion, alongside representatives from Chinese and Korean entities. This forum provided a platform for direct exchange on challenges facing the development of traditional medicine, from raw material sources and quality standards to research, application, and expanded international cooperation.

A prominent issue at the workshop was the origin and quality of medicinal ingredients. A Tho Sinh Duong representative emphasized that natural resources are finite, and medicinal development must balance conservation, cultivation, and sustainable exploitation. This approach offers a practical way to build domestic medicinal value chains.

While traceability demands transparency, innovation raises questions about how traditional medicine can advance using modern scientific tools. Discussions at the event highlighted that the modernization of traditional medicine involves not only preserving traditional remedies and experiences but also scientific research, processing and extraction technology, standardization, data management, and quality control capabilities. These areas are becoming focal points for investment and development across many Asian traditional medicine systems.

From a current technology perspective, experts suggested that digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) could open new avenues. These include digitizing medicinal and raw material data, managing supply chains, analyzing research data, assisting in identifying and cross-referencing medicinal information, and enhancing quality management.

Ms. Lu Lan Nhi (right), General Director of Tho Sinh Duong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., speaking at the workshop. Photo: Tho Sinh Duong

"Traditional medicine stands at a huge opportunity. But to transform this opportunity into real value, we must propel traditional values into the future through: science – technology – data – standards – innovation and international cooperation," stated a Tho Sinh Duong representative.

According to experts, each traditional medicine system possesses unique strengths. Differences in medicinal resources, theoretical foundations, technology, research, production, standardization, and markets create a need for cooperation among countries. China, for instance, emphasizes traditional medicine theory, research, processing and extraction technology, and production. Korea has experience in Korean medicine research, biotechnology, standardization, and innovation. Japan continues to develop Kampo in conjunction with modern medicine.

Many experts from various countries attended the "International Traditional Medicine Science 2026" workshop in Korea. Photo: Tho Sinh Duong

Tho Sinh Duong clearly identifies its advantages in medicinal resources and long-standing traditional medicine knowledge. Vietnam boasts a history of hundreds of years in using and developing traditional medicine, with prominent medical legacies such as Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac. In 2023, UNESCO passed a resolution to include the 300th birth anniversary of him in the list of celebrated figures and historical events to be jointly commemorated by the organization.

Tho Sinh Duong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. operates in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, focusing on products derived from herbs and traditional medicine. The enterprise develops activities in importing and distributing oriental medicine products in the Vietnamese market, while expanding cooperation with domestic and international partners. Tho Sinh Duong aims to combine traditional medicine values with modern technology, emphasizing product origin and standardization.

Hai My