On January 27, 2025, Oxfam in Vietnam and the Lao Cai Farmers’ Union signed an agreement to implement the initiative “Strengthening the capacity of Red Dao women in Ta Ngao village, Bat Xat commune, Lao Cai province to preserve and promote indigenous knowledge linked to herbal product value chains for sustainable development, contributing to biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and greenhouse gas emission reduction.”

During the meeting, representatives from both sides agreed on the initiative’s approach and implementation plan for the coming period.

Lao Cai province is home to rich biodiversity, extensive forest coverage, and significant potential for medicinal plant resources. The province has identified the development of the herbal medicine sector as a key pillar in its strategy for green and sustainable agricultural growth.

Currently, Dao communities in Bat Xat commune are directly protecting more than 388 hectares of natural forest. Beyond providing livelihoods, the forest also serves as a vital space for preserving valuable indigenous knowledge related to medicinal plants.

However, this knowledge is increasingly at risk of being lost due to various socio-economic pressures. Red Dao women, who play a central role in preserving and passing on traditional knowledge, continue to face multiple barriers, including high illiteracy rates, limited access to healthcare and education services, heavy unpaid care responsibilities, restricted participation in decision-making, and insufficient resources to develop herbal-based livelihoods.

HND Lào Cai - PWG

“Oxfam has experience implementing similar initiatives to develop products derived from medicinal plants. Throughout the process, Oxfam will actively facilitate knowledge-sharing and connect partners with lessons learned from previously implemented models and initiatives, helping optimize resources and improve the effectiveness of the program over time.

At the same time, Oxfam proposes a coordinated approach in which activities are implemented in parallel, particularly by strengthening community group models and market linkages from the early stages, in order to build a strong foundation for the program’s long-term results and impact,” said Mr. Pham Quang Tu, Country Deputy Director of Oxfam in Vietnam, during the meeting.

Photo: Oxfam in Vietnam

HND Lào Cai - PWG

“The Lao Cai Farmers’ Union is committed to supporting the project and fully complying with the agreed requirements, while accompanying local communities in developing valuable medicinal plants to help improve livelihoods and create sustainable value for the community,” said Mr. Nguyen Chuong Phat, Chairman of the Lao Cai Farmers’ Union.

Photo: Oxfam in Vietnam

From now until March 2027, the initiative will focus on:

  • Restoring indigenous medicinal plant cultivation areas;
  • Strengthening production capacity and establishing women-led farmer groups for the safe and quality processing of herbal products;
  • Developing OCOP products and expanding market linkages;
  • Documenting and preserving Red Dao indigenous knowledge related to medicinal plants, as well as the community’s cultural identity;
  • Enhancing women’s capacity and voice in decision-making through improved access to employment opportunities, stable income generation, and active participation in livelihood activities and services, particularly for Red Dao women;
  • Creating jobs for women through activities such as nursery development, harvesting, herbal production and processing, and tourism-related services.

The initiative “Strengthening the capacity of Red Dao women in Ta Ngao village, Bat Xat commune, Lao Cai province to preserve and promote indigenous knowledge linked to herbal product value chains for sustainable development, contributing to biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and greenhouse gas emission reduction” is one of 22 initiatives under the "Project on Promoting Women-led Green Transition Initiatives” (PWG), part of the Women-led Green Partnership Programme funded by the European Union and implemented by Oxfam in Vietnam. To date, 11 initiatives have been approved across Lao Cai, Hue, Da Nang, and Ca Mau provinces.