First Day in Vietnam [July 22nd, 2025]

Today, on my first day in Vietnam, I decided to explore the city to get acquainted with my home for the next five weeks. To my pleasant surprise, I came across Nhà Thuốc Diệu Phát, a traditional medicine clinic specializing in retail oriental medicine. By textbook definition, oriental medicine aligns with Thuốc Ðông, or Thuốc Bắc, a historic sector of Vietnamese Traditional Medicine derived from the influence of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Nhà Thuốc Diệu Phát (Diệu Phát Pharmacy)

For some background, the pharmacy sits on Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Street in District 5 of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The Vietnamese National Authority of Tourism recognizes this district as the hub of the traditional medicine practice. According to the district website, the street was established in 1955 during the French period and named Khổng Tử Street. However, the Vietnamese government renamed the street in 1975 to Hải Thượng Lãn Ông, the nickname of one of the credited founders of the practice, physician Lê Hữu Trác. Hải Thượng Lãn Ông is known for his major publication Y Tông Tâm Lĩnh, an encyclopedia on traditional Vietnamese medicine. The district also has a deep history of Chinese influence, often characterized as the “Chinatown” of Vietnam by residents ("Đường Hải Thượng Lãn Ông”).

Now, back to the pharmacy, one of the first details I noticed was the detailed organization of each medicinal ingredient.

Medicinal ingredients are lined up at the entrance of the shop.

From kumquats to daisies, I was also amazed to see the diversity of flora used. After researching their medicinal properties, I compiled each of the ingredients into a list below. 

Cỏ Ngọt [Stevia]	Stevia. Stevia has no calories, but it has a sweeter taste than sugar. It is familiar within Western medicine practice for helping patients with weight loss and can also help lower blood pressure & cholesterol levels.
Hạt Ươi [Baobab Seed]	Baobab Seed. The baobab seed is known for its antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties. It is often used in anti-diarrheal medication and is rich in Vitamin C.
Tắc Sấy Khô [Dried Kumquat]	Dried Kumquat. Kumquat is rich in Vitamin P, allowing it to naturally lower blood pressure. The fruit peel and leaves can help address diseases impacting the liver & cardiovascular system. Kumquat fiber helps regulate airflow and clear phlegm coughs. Kumquat seeds are typically used to treat cysts and back pain.
Mủ Trôm [Poon Tree Sap]	Poon Tree Sap. Poon Tree Sap is suitable for stabilizing blood sugar levels in patients. It also assists with detoxing the liver by controlling triglyceride levels. In some cases, poon tree sap can also function as a natural laxative.
Hoa Cúc [Daisy]	Daisy flower. Daisy flowers offer antioxidative and antimicrobial properties.
Nụ Hoa Hồng [Rosebud]	Rose buds. Tea made with rose buds has traditionally been used to alleviate menstrual pain.

A list of citations for researching the use of each of these ingredients has been provided below.

While this was a brief visit to the pharmacy, I plan to listen to see if any of these flora come up in conversation with traditional medicine physicians and pharmacists in the next five weeks!

Works Cited

Albien, Anna-Lena, and Timo D. Stark. “(Bio)Active Compounds in Daisy Flower (Bellis Perennis).” Molecules, vol. 28, no. 23, Nov. 2023, p. 7716.

“Đường Hải Thượng Lãn Ông.” Ủy Ban Nhân Dân Quận 5 Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh, Jun. 2013.

FGC. “What Is Rosebud Tea? 4 Benefits of Rosebud Tea to Drinkers.” Future Generation Co., May 2022.

“Mủ Trôm Là Gì? Công Dụng Đối Với Sức Khỏe & Cách Pha Chế.” Công Ty Cổ Phần Dược Phẩm Pharmacity, May 2024.

Phạm Thị, Vân. “Cỏ Ngọt Là Gì? 8 Tác Dụng Của Cỏ Ngọt Đối Với Sức Khỏe Bạn Nên Biết.” Công Ty Cổ Phần Dược Phẩm An Khang Pharma, May 2025.

Silva, Maria Leonor, et al. “Adansonia Digitata L. (Baobab) Bioactive Compounds, Biological Activities, and the Potential Effect on Glycemia: A Narrative Review.” Nutrients, vol. 15, no. 9, May 2023, p. 2170.

Ý, Mỹ. “Công Dụng Trị Bệnh Từ Quả Quất Chưng Tết.” VNExpress, 31 Jan. 2024.