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| Herbal-based products (left), the startup products of Ms. Duyen, are gradually being embraced by the market |
Innovation with heat-retaining formula
After graduating in traditional medicine, Ms. Duyen started her work at Huong Thuy Ward Medical Station. With 18 years of experience and the knowledge she has accumulated in the field, she understands the value of each familiar medicinal herb. Growing up in a rural area where “a handful of leaves from the garden” is considered a precious remedy, she deeply appreciates the traditional practice of soaking one’s feet in salt and herbs after a long day of hard work.
Building on her professional knowledge and passion for medicinal herbs, Ms. Duyen began experimenting with handmade products such as lip balm and shampoos made from perilla, basil, lemongrass, and soapberry. With the desire to elevate the value of local herbal resources, in 2025, she boldly launched “Duyen Herbal - Herbal Salt for Foot Soak”, a product that blends traditional medical experience with creativity in processing.
According to Ms. Duyen, her herbal salt is heat-retained for over 24 hours, a method that helps preserve the full essence of the medicinal ingredients while enhancing absorption during foot soaking. The product is a combination of coarse salt and more than 15 types of natural herbs, such as cinnamon twig, star anise, ginger, mugwort, salvia root, angelica, safflower, lime leaves, lemongrass, and more. All ingredients are sourced from the area’s abundant local materials, helping reduce costs while adding value to native medicinal plants.
Thanks to its exclusive formula and meticulous handcrafted production process, “Duyen Herbal - Herbal Salt for Foot Soak” delivers noticeable benefits: It helps reduce joint pain, improves blood circulation, supports deep sleep, and alleviates numbness. Furthermore, it also deodorizes the feet and keeps them soft and warm. “Each bag of herbal salt is not only a health-care product but also a gift that carries the fragrance of my homeland and the dedication of a traditional medicine practitioner,” said Ms. Duyen.
From the tiny kitchen to the playground of an innovative startup
In the early stages, Ms. Duyen faced many difficulties related to capital, technology, and production processes. With support from her family, friends, and especially Huong Thuy Ward Women’s Union, she persevered in improving each step, continuously testing and improving the product.
To date, Duyen Herbal’s herbal salt has earned the trust of many customers and received positive feedback. Not only is it sold on e-commerce platforms and in health-care spas, but the product has also surpassed hundreds of competitors to be selected for the finals of the 2025 Hue City Innovative Start-up Competition, organized by the Department of Science and Technology.
In her upcoming plans, Ms. Duyen aims to expand production capacity and invest in more modern drying, mixing, and packaging equipment to boost productivity and ensure consistent quality. She also emphasizes building a brand that reflects the identity of Hue - friendly, natural, and sophisticated - with health gift products and family combos, targeting distribution through spas, resorts, pharmacies, and e-commerce platforms.
With dedication and relentless effort, Ms. Le Thi Duyen not only affirms the role of women in the journey of innovative entrepreneurship but also helps spread the value of Vietnamese medicinal plants, bringing the quintessence of Hue’s herbs closer to modern life, which are both friendly and deeply rooted in local identity. “I always believe that sustainable health begins with simple things, like soaking your feet in warm water infused with the fragrance of hometown herbs,” Ms. Duyen shared.