Associate Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Thu Ha. (Photo: VOV)

Professor Ha starts her day early by visiting her nursery gardens and finishes the day late in the university’s laboratory. In her early years at Thai Nguyen University, Ha focused on developing improved timber species to help local farmers escape poverty. In 2008, after finishing her doctoral program in Australia, Ms. Ha returned to Vietnam and founded the University’s Forestry Research and Development Institute, which helps develop high-yield medicinal herbs.

“There are a number of valuable medicinal herbs in this remote area, and some of them are on the verge of disappearing. Over the past 10 years, I have nurtured the idea of replicating these herbs,” said Ha.

Dr. Ha has successfully propagated 40 medicinal herbs, researched propagation of non-timber forest products, and applied molecular biology and molecular biochemistry to develop a number of improved medicinal plants.

The Vietnam Environment and Agriculture Forestry Joint Stock company was set up with the support of Ha’s Research Institute. Ha also established two cultivation areas in Ha Giang province in the North and Quang Nam province in the central region.

“We provide medicinal herb products and varieties to more than 30 provinces and plans to ship them overseas. This will create jobs and generate income for local farmers,” she said.

Tran Van Dien, Director of Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, said, “Associate Professor Tran Thi Thu Ha is enthusiastic and dedicated to research. She has conducted projects to develop Vietnam’s forestry and agriculture sectors. Her research has benefited mountain regions in northern Vietnam.”

Ha has patented 12 medicinal herb species now being cultivated and sold commercially.