Traditional Medicinal Practice of The Dao People in Ba Vi Commune, Hanoi: Current Status and Emerging Issues

Abstract

This article examines the current status of traditional medicinal practice among the Dao people in Ba Vi Commune, Hanoi, focusing on several aspects: contemporary perceptions of medicinal herb use; changes in the availability of medicinal plant resources; the modernization of production, processing, and preservation methods; innovations in the organizational structure of production; and the expansion of markets and branding of medicinal products. From its origins as a supplementary economic activity within traditional livelihoods, traditional medicine has now become a primary source of livelihood, contributing to economic restructuring, income enhancement, and poverty reduction for households. However, this practice also faces several challenges, including the depletion of natural medicinal resources, market integration and competitiveness pressures, inadequacies in the legal framework, and the erosion of indigenous knowledge. Based on these findings, the article proposes recommendations for preserving and developing the Dao people’s traditional medicinal practice in the context of socio-economic integration.