After growing up in the U.S., I got used to a healthcare system that often felt more reactive than proactive and expensive even with insurance. But since moving to Vietnam, the third country I’ve lived in, I’ve discovered a radically different approach to wellness. One that blends traditional medicine, nature, and prevention with everyday routines.
Here in Vietnam, traditional medicine (rooted in both Vietnamese and traditional Chinese medicine) isn’t fringe, it’s widely practiced, accessible, and deeply respected. And increasingly, international travelers are catching on.
Six Months Since We Boarded a Plane to Leave the US
In a time when beauty products, supplements, and even facials can cost a small fortune back home, Vietnam’s wellness tourism scene offers a refreshing alternative with natural, proven, and often centuries-old remedies that prioritize balance, long-term health, and affordability.
Wellness tourism is booming, with travelers spending over $800 billion globally on experiences that promote rest, healing, and prevention. In Asia, this movement is accelerating fast and Vietnam is quickly becoming a favorite for those looking to pair travel with traditional medicine.*
Whether you're planning your first overseas travel adventure, or just tired of overpriced products that don’t deliver, this guide breaks down:
- What traditional Vietnamese and Chinese medicine actually is
- The beauty-focused herbs, tonics, and supplements travelers are packing home
- What to try if you're curious but cautious
- Where to find these products (with links to my Pinterest board!)
- How to make the most of your trip planner and wellness experience
Let’s dive in, because the world of Vietnamese wellness might just be the most affordable, glow-boosting travel decision you’ll ever make.
What Is Traditional Medicine in Vietnam?
Vietnamese traditional medicine,Y học cổ truyền Việt Nam, is a blend of centuries-old herbal remedies, Eastern philosophy, and spiritual balance. Influenced heavily by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it centers around treating the root cause of imbalance in the body rather than just the symptoms.
Unlike the Western model, which often focuses on acute fixes and isolated symptoms, Eastern medicine leans into prevention, circulation, organ health, and energetic harmony. Treatments often involve herbal formulations, acupuncture, cupping, or dietary shifts.
In Vietnam, pharmacies often carry both Western and herbal remedies side-by-side a clear reflection of how normalized traditional healing is.
Beauty Benefits of Traditional Eastern Medicine
Here are just a few of the wellness benefits U.S. travelers are seeking from Vietnamese medicine and supplements:
1. Clearer Skin and Healing Mosquito Bites
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Herbs like hoang lien (Coptis), ngũ hoa châm (Vietnamese cinquefoil), and pearl powder are commonly used in facial tonics and teas to purify the blood, reduce acne, and brighten the skin. Tamanu oil, dau mu u, heals wounds quickly. Skin and scars heal quickly. This golden star aromatic balm is great for use when in tight spaces like airplanes and need nausea relief, or something pleasant smelling. It also pairs as a soothing balm to prevent mosquito bite itching, allowing it to heal.
2. Hair Growth and Strength
Women in Vietnam swear by ha thu o (Fo-ti root) for hair health and longevity. It’s often used in capsules or brewed in tea. Consumers report it makes hair thicker and promotes growth. They appreciate the color benefits, mentioning their roots becoming darker.
3. Reduced Inflammation and Bloating
Detoxifying teas made with lotus leaf, chrysanthemum, or bitter melon help reduce puffiness and promote digestion. This genpi tea supports weight loss, burning excess fat, improving cholesterol levels, increasing antioxidants and reducing oxidative stress.
4. Immune Boosting and Stress Relief
Mushroom blends like linh chi (Reishi) and ginseng tonics are commonly used to reduce fatigue and support long-term immune health. If you feel a cold coming on, you can use oils like this brown herbal oil with clove.
5. Protects Skin from UV Rays
Not only do Vietnamese often dress head to toe in UV protective fabrics but they also have an abundance of Japanese and Korean sun screen essences, and as always when there's an outer topical option there's often a complimentary internal remedy too. Like these Aqua Rich Doubleup Sun Protection Pills.
6. Bruise Healing and Sore Muscles
Dried cobra venom, menthol, peppermint essential oil, and camphor are used to treat sprains, arthritis, bruise coloring, and soreness. This ginger oil product relieves headaches and body aches. Both are great for use after a pickleball game.
Where to Find These Beauty Products in Vietnam
You don’t need to book an expensive retreat to try these wellness products. You’ll find them in local pharmacies, markets, and even grocery stores. My go-to spots include:
- Traditional medicine pharmacies
- Organic shops
- Beauty stores like Guardian and Hasaki
- Local markets with packaged teas and tonics
Be sure to check labels, ask questions, and look for certified shops if you’re bringing products back to the U.S.
How to Incorporate These Finds into Your Travel Itinerary
Use your trip planner to carve out time for:
- A consultation at a traditional apothecary or Eastern medicine clinic
- Visiting a local spa that uses herbal compresses or Vietnamese healing traditions
- Taking a quiet moment with your travel notebook to reflect on how you feel before and after
- Shopping for a few well-labeled, locally trusted products to take home
When you document this in your best travel journal, you're not just planning a vacation you're preserving an experience of cultural immersion and personal care.
Final Thoughts: Wellness Doesn’t Have to Be a Luxury
The U.S. healthcare system can feel overwhelming. But Vietnam reminds us that wellness doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective.
From herbal compresses to beauty teas passed down for generations, the country offers not only an escape but a healing return to simpler, more holistic health rituals.
Let your next journey be one that nourishes you inside and out. And if you want help planning it? That’s where my trip planners come in.
*According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism is a $814.6 billion industry as of 2022 and is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2027. Asia is the fastest-growing region, with travelers increasingly seeking traditional therapies and preventive health experiences.
