In Vietnam’s misty mountains, Pham Thanh Huyen learned that protecting health also means protecting nature.

When Ms. Pham Thanh Huyen stepped into her role at Vietnam's National Institute of Medicinal Materials in 1995, she was a young scientist driven by an extraordinary curiosity about nature and traditional healing.  To conduct her research, Huyen spent long days trekking through remote landscapes, collecting medicinal plants and learning from local communities. Those early journeys shaped her belief in the power of traditional medicine, rooted in plants, knowledge, and respect for nature. 

Finding strength in her connection to nature and traditional medicinal knowledge, and with the continuous support of her family, Huyen eventually became the Director of the Centre for Medicinal Resources (National Institute of Medicinal Materials – Ministry of Health), where she leads a nationwide movement toward sustainable medicinal practices.  

But the transformation hasn't always been easy, as being a female officer in a demanding field was not the only challenge. Today, she is also confronting persistent beliefs in wildlife-based remedies such as rhino horn, pangolin scales, and tiger bone glue. 

Having deeply studied medicinal plants, I know these beliefs are misguided,”

she says.

They distract from the real healing power of plants, and put wildlife at risk.” 

This is where TRAFFIC’s partnership has made a difference. Working closely with Huyen and her team, TRAFFIC has supported research and behaviour change efforts that challenge misconceptions while respecting cultural traditions. Together, they have promoted plant-based alternatives and raised awareness about the legal and environmental consequences of using wildlife products.  

The COVID-19 pandemic marked a critical turning point in this journey. Instead of reverting to wildlife-based remedies during a health crisis, Ms. Huyen and her colleagues compiled documentation on 125 medicinal plants for prevention and treatment. They developed plant-based products like Cao Dang Sam Sinh Luc tea for immune support, demonstrating how traditional medicine could effectively evolve without wildlife ingredients.  

When faced with those who still believe in wildlife products, her approach reveals the success of this transformation:

"I always exchange information with those people so that they understand more about the legal and environmental consequences of using illegal wildlife products and I introduce commonly used medicinal plants that they can use as alternatives."  

For Huyen, the message is both professional and personal. She refuses even plastic ivory in her home, saying it is about “saying no to illegal wildlife products in any form.”

Her work with TRAFFIC shows how changing beliefs can help safeguard both traditional medicine and the wildlife it must no longer depend on, and offers a hopeful vision of a future where both wildlife and healing traditions are protected, together.