Rencontres du Vietnam:
The Second Vietnam International Symposium on Medicinal Plants and Natural Products (MPNP2026)

March 26 to 28, 2026 at ICISE, Quy Nhon, Vietnam

Founded in 1993 by Jean Tran Thanh Van, the association Rencontres du Vietnam, a non-profit organization and an official partner of UNESCO, has as its objective the promotion of international exchanges between Vietnam and the international community, particularly in the areas of science and education. It also aims at the encouragement and integration of Vietnamese scientists into the international scientific community and at supporting the role of education and science by encouraging scientific awareness and stimulating passion for science in the younger generation. The Rencontres du Vietnam lies within the scope of two series of scientific meetings created by Jean Tran Thanh Van : the Rencontres de Moriond in 1966 and the Rencontres de Blois in 1989.

The creation of the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science Education (ICISE) in the city of Quy Nhon (Central Vietnam) has the ambitious objective to focus on developing Science and Education by fostering exchanges between Asia-Pacific scientists and colleagues from other parts of the world.

Symposium announcement

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 80% of the global population relies on medicinal plants for healthcare and disease prevention. This growing interest in natural remedies and plant-based compounds is driving innovation in medicine, shifting focus toward health maintenance, wellness, and preventative care—an increasingly important global trend. Vietnam, located in Southeast Asia within the tropical zone, possesses diverse climatic and geographical conditions that are highly conducive to the growth and development of medicinal plants. Out of approximately 12,000 plant species found in Vietnam, around 4,000 have been traditionally used in ethnomedicine. Thanks to this rich biodiversity and long-standing cultural practices, Vietnam is recognized as one of the 15 key countries on the global map of medicinal plants. The nation’s diverse flora and fauna provide a wide range of species with high therapeutic and economic value. Vietnam stands out globally for its high level of plant biodiversity. When combined with the indigenous knowledge of 54 ethnic groups, the country holds significant potential for sustainably harnessing and enhancing the value of medicinal plants. These resources can be developed into quality products for both domestic use and international export. However, in recent years, climate change and environmental degradation due to unsustainable development have posed growing challenges to the conservation and use of natural resources. These issues underscore the need for more scientific and sustainable approaches in the development, preservation, and innovation of medicinal plants and natural products in Vietnam and around the world.

Rencontres du Vietnam: The Second Vietnam International Conference on Medicinal Plants and Natural Products (MPNP2026) will mainly be focused on various aspects of medicinal plants biology at agronomy and molecular levels, the progression of plant derived extracts, molecules, and foods as well as establishment of Vietnamese and global private-public network. This event will be held at the International Center for Science and Interdisciplinary Education (ICISE), Quy Nhon City, Gia Lai province Vietnam.

The conference aims to provide an interdisciplinary platform for all delegates to present research results, share experiences, and discuss the most recent innovations, trends and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the field of medicinal plant biology and advanced innovation in natural products. This event is also a chance for all delegates to maintain the existing and initiate new multidisciplinary collaborative networks.

We cordially invite you to join Rencontres du Vietnam: The Second Vietnam International Symposium on Medicinal Plants and Natural Products (MPNP2026) at ICISE, Quy Nhon, Vietnam on 26-28 March, 2026. ICISE center, located by the sea and surrounded by mountains, is about 6km from the city of Quy Nhon. The symposium hall is equipped with a video projector, a blackboard, an audio system, wireless connection. ICISE has a nice, quiet campus with coconut trees and a beautiful beach.

Key sessions

• (Ethno) botany;
• Germplasm evaluation, development, conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plant resources;
• Genomics and evolutionary biology of medicinal plants;
• Biosynthesis and regulation of specialized bioactive metabolites;
• Discovery and engineering of plant chemistry for plant and human health;
• Plant-microbe and plant-environment interactions;
• Fermentation and plant cell culture;

• Secondary metabolites of microorganisms (antibiotics and mycotoxins);
• Physiologically active compounds from terrestrial and marine plants and animals;
• Extraction, isolation, structure elucidation, and chemical synthesis of novel compounds from nature;
• Bioactivity of compounds of natural origin;
• Physiology, biochemistry, and cell biology involved in the processing of traditional medicine;
• Foodomics;

• Novel processing techniques for bioactive compounds;
• Quality control of natural products;
• Functional food and food supplements;
• Pharmaceutical and medicinal products;
• Cosmetic products;
• Development of a sustainable medicinal plant chain;
• Toxicology of natural compounds and products;

Conference format

The symposium will use a range of formats: opening ceremony and plenary/keynote lectures and followed by invited talks, oral and poster presentations in parallel sessions. Poster presentation will be exhibited during the workshop. Additionally, open roundtable discussions and excursions will offer an opportunity for delegates to further networking and discover the beauty of Quy Nhon, Gia Lai province, Vietnam.

Official Languages:

English is used as the official language at the workshop.

Important Dates