Tiếng Việt
Some news brightens an entire team’s day, and this is exactly that kind of news. On December 15, 2025, at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Dr. Nguyen Huu Lac Thuy was officially appointed to the rank of Associate Professor — a major milestone in her career as an educator and researcher.
For all of us at Truong Duong Group, this isn’t just Dr. Thuy’s moment to celebrate. It’s a proud moment for a journey we’ve walked together with her: turning Gia Lai Golden Camellia Tea from a native medicinal plant into a product recognized by the international scientific community.
A Memorable Ceremony at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City
The ceremony is one of the most prestigious academic events in Southern Vietnam, welcoming Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tri Thuc – Deputy Minister of Health. Representing the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City were Prof. Dr. Tran Diep Tuan – Chairman of the University Council, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan – Vice President of the University.
In 2025, the University proudly appointed 29 distinguished educators and scientists (02 Professors and 27 Associate Professors). The university leaders affirmed that these individuals are the “flames of passion” contributing to the mission of training high-quality medical human resources and developing advanced scientific research, thereby enhancing the reputation of Vietnamese medicine on the international map.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vuong Thi Ngoc Lan emphasized: “This title is a worthy recognition of the persistent dedication to teaching, scientific research, and community service of our teachers.”
Dr. Thuy and Gia Lai Golden Camellia Tea: A Years-Long Partnership
Few people know that behind every fragrant cup of KINKA golden camellia tea are countless late nights in the lab with Dr. Thuy and her research team. As strategic advisor for the Gia Lai Golden Camellia Tea project, she hasn’t just supported Truong Duong on paper — she’s rolled up her sleeves alongside us, verifying quality, researching the plant’s medicinal properties, and uncovering the value hidden in every petal and every leaf.
What’s remarkable is that her research hasn’t stayed within Vietnam’s borders — it’s been published in international scientific journals too, helping carry Vietnamese golden camellia tea, and Gia Lai’s own Camellia flava in particular, onto the world stage:
Two international systematic reviews, published in Natural Product Communications (SAGE), mapping out what’s known about the phytochemistry and bioactivity of golden camellia species as a whole — including Gia Lai’s own Camellia flava:
- “A Systematic Review of Phytochemical Constituents of Golden Camellia Species” — Truong M.N., Mai-Pham T.A., Tran V.A.T., Nguyen-Huu L.T., Natural Product Communications, Vol. 19, Issue 12 (2024).
- “Bioactivities and Toxicity of the Golden Camellia Species: A Systematic Review” — Truong M.N., Pham T.L., Mai Pham T.A., Truong V.D., Vo L.T., Nguyen-Hoang T.M., Nguyen-Huu L.T., Natural Product Communications, Vol. 19, Issue 8 (2024).
Three applied research papers specifically on golden camellia tea (Camellia flava), with Dr. Thuy as lead or co-author:
- “Effect of Camellia flava (Pitard) Sealy flower extract on the degeneration of Islets of Langerhans and insulin resistance in alloxan-induced hyperglycemia model on Swiss albino mice” — Nguyen H.L.T. et al., Pharmacia, Vol. 71 (2024).
- “Acute Toxicity and Hypoglycemic Effects of Golden Camellia (Camellia flava) Flower Extract in an Alloxan-Induced Hyperglycemic Mouse Model” — Vietnamese Medical Journal, Vol. 527, Issue 1B (2023).
- “Anti-Obesity Effects of Golden Camellia (Camellia flava (Pitard) Sealy) Leaf and Flower Extracts in a High-Fat-Diet Mouse Obesity Model” — Vietnamese Medical Journal, Vol. 543, Issue 3 (2024).
Her research on golden camellia tea also went on to win Second Prize at the 4th ASEAN PHARMNET Conference and the 2024 US-THAI PHARMACY CONSORTIUM in Bangkok, Thailand — carrying this treasured Gia Lai medicinal plant onto the regional scientific stage, and proving that when rigorous science meets a bountiful land, good things multiply.
A Heartfelt Thank-You From Truong Duong Group
To us, every milestone in Dr. Thuy’s career is also a milestone for Gia Lai Golden Camellia Tea. Everyone at Truong Duong Group and Tam Phuc Minh Pharmaceutical sends our warmest, most heartfelt congratulations to her — someone who has poured so much passion into proving, through science, that the finest things from the highlands of Gia Lai truly deserve to be known by the world.
Thank you, Dr. Thuy, for always standing alongside Truong Duong. We wish you continued good health and every success in teaching and research, as we keep writing new chapters together in elevating Vietnamese medicinal herbs.
TRUONG DUONG – Dedicated to Quality, Pioneering the Difference
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