Ointments and herbal remedies from Vietnam: what tourists bring and why they take them

Vietnam sells health on every corner. Street vendors offer tinctures, ointments, and herbal capsules, and tourists take them home by the bagful. Some of the promises on the label don't hold up to scrutiny.

Below are a few of the most commonly requested products: from Cobratoxan ointment to herbal blends for women's and men's health. For each product, we've listed the base, intended use, and what to look for when buying. If you're unsure about the ingredients, buy at a pharmacy, not at a market.

What people buy most often

Almost this entire category is built on herbs, oils, and extracts. Some products have been sold for decades, others appeared recently. They all have one thing in common: the promise to relieve pain or boost energy without seeing a doctor.

💡 In short:

• For muscles and joints, get Cobratoxan ointment.
• For colds and bites, Cao Sao Vàng balm works.
• For energy and liver support, people take lingzhi mushrooms; for memory and sleep: Cebraton.
• Product ingredients and uses: 09/2026, according to the Vinmec medical portal and an NCBI scientific review.

Cobratoxan: ointment based on cobra venom

The tube has a cobra on it, and that's not just marketing. The ointment's base really is cobra venom. It's combined with methyl salicylate and a bit of peppermint oil (according to Vinmec, 09/2026). The product warms the skin, so it's traditionally used for muscle pain, myositis, and radiculitis.

Apply a thin layer and massage until absorbed. No need to wrap the area. Wash your hands after applying, or you'll accidentally rub your eyes.

• Who it's for: muscle and joint pain after exertion or a long trip.
• Not for: salicylate allergy, broken skin, pregnancy.
• The catch: strong smell, and the metal tube gets dented easily in a suitcase.

Cao Sao Vàng: a familiar balm in three forms

Cao Sao Vàng contains menthol, camphor, and oils of clove, cinnamon, and cajeput (according to the Nhà thuốc Long Châu pharmacy reference, 09/2026). It's sold in three forms: a solid balm in a round tin, a liquid oil, and an inhalation solution.

The solid balm is applied to the temples and the sides of the nose for headaches, to bites, and to the chest for colds. The liquid version is added to hot water for inhalation. You'll feel the minty coolness almost immediately.

• What it's used for: colds, headaches, nasal congestion, insect bites.
• How to use: rub into the temples; don't apply to mucous membranes or eyes.
• The catch: children's skin doesn't tolerate camphor well, so it's better not to use it on kids.

Lingzhi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum)

© This image was created by user TecheOldFox (Techieoldfox) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You ca · CC BY-SAPhoto: This image was created by user TecheOldFox (Techieoldfox) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You ca, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Lingzhi grows on wood and looks like a shiny cap. It has been used in East Asian medicine for over two thousand years (according to an NCBI scientific review). In Vietnam, it's sold dried, in capsules, and in tinctures. It contains polysaccharides and triterpenes, which are being studied in connection with immune system function.

The easiest option is capsules: the dosage is already listed on the label. Dried caps are brewed like tea and steeped until dark.

• What it's used for: general energy, immunity, liver support.
• Form: dried mushrooms, capsules, alcohol tincture.
• The catch: the taste is bitter, and alcohol tinctures are the bitterest of all.

Glucosamine for joints and cartilage

© Donald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單) - Wikimedia Commons - © CC BY-SA 4.0 International . ( Want to use this image? ) Or · CC BY-SAPhoto: Donald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單) - Wikimedia Commons - © CC BY-SA 4.0 International . ( Want to use this image? ) Or, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Manufacturers add glucosamine to capsules for joints and cartilage. In Asian pharmacies, it's sold alone or together with chondroitin. Dosage varies by brand, so there's no one-size-fits-all pill.

Before buying, show the ingredients to your doctor. The thing is, one patient needs one dosage, while for another it would be excessive. A doctor will determine the right course and check for interactions with your medications.

• What it's used for: support for joints, cartilage, and intervertebral discs.
• Form: capsules, powder, and tablets.
• The catch: the course is long, and everyone evaluates the results differently.

Cebraton for memory and sleep

Cebraton is made from herbs from different regions of Vietnam. Manufacturers claim it improves memory, concentration, and stress resilience. Vietnamese doctors include it in post-stroke recovery protocols.

The product comes in capsules. The course is long, and the difference isn't noticeable right away. If you have sleep issues, start with a small dose and monitor how you feel.

• What it's used for: memory, concentration, recovery after illness.
• Who it's for: adults who need support with focus and sleep.
• The catch: the effect is mild, and some buyers barely notice it.

Products for women's and men's health

Vietnamese manufacturers offer a whole shelf of herbal preparations. Song Hao is positioned for libido, Eva Hoi Xuan is linked to hormonal balance before menopause, and An Nu Dan is advertised as a remedy for serious illnesses. Separately, there are blends for male potency, and those sell especially well.

All these products rely on an herbal base: extracts of local roots, leaves, and bark. Some have been sold for a long time, others are just gaining popularity.

Caution is needed here. The promises on the label are often louder than the evidence, and some products haven't undergone independent testing. A doctor can help you tell a legitimate blend apart from nice packaging.

The main risk in this category: counterfeits. At a market, you'll be sold the same box with fake contents. Buy at a pharmacy, ask for an English-language insert, and check the date on the package.

• What it's used for: women's health, male potency, hormonal balance.
• Not for: pregnancy, taking hormonal medications, herbal allergies.
• The catch: lots of counterfeits and weak evidence behind the claims.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can I buy these products right at the airport in Vietnam?

The selection at the airport is limited, and prices are higher than in the city. Buy at a city pharmacy in advance. That way you can calmly read the ingredients, compare brands, and check the expiration date. At the terminal, there's almost no time for that, and the line keeps you moving.

What should I get for joint pain?

For muscles and ligaments, people use Cobratoxan ointment. For chronic joint pain, they add glucosamine capsules. Ointments relieve pain temporarily but don't treat the cause. If the pain lasts for weeks, see a doctor instead of buying another ointment.

How do I tell an original from a fake?

Buy at a licensed pharmacy, not from a street vendor. Check the expiration date, print quality, and the hologram on the box. A price noticeably below average usually means it's a fake. Keep the receipt: with it, you can return the product.

Do lingzhi mushrooms help with blood pressure and cholesterol?

In traditional medicine, lingzhi is associated with energy and immunity, and it's being studied as an immunomodulator. The evidence for blood pressure and cholesterol is weak. Don't replace medications prescribed by your doctor with the mushroom. You can add it to your treatment, but you can't substitute it.

Do I need a prescription for these medicines?

Vietnamese pharmacies sell most of these products without a prescription. That doesn't mean they're harmless. If you're pregnant, taking hormonal medications, or allergic to herbs, talk to a doctor first, then buy.

In short: what's worth booking

Start with two ointments: Cobratoxan for muscles and Cao Sao Vàng for colds. Add glucosamine capsules if your joints bother you. For energy, get lingzhi; for memory, Cebraton. Save the blends for women's and men's health for a conversation with your doctor.

Selection matrix:

• If your muscles hurt after sightseeing: Cobratoxan.
• If you have a cold, headache, or bites: Cao Sao Vàng.
• If your joints creak: glucosamine.
• If you need support for energy and memory: lingzhi and Cebraton.

The main rule: buy at a pharmacy, check the packaging, and keep the receipt. Verify ingredients and contraindications on the Vinmec medical portal.