Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried chamomile (cúc La Mã; commonly Matricaria chamomilla) in Vietnam is used primarily as a botanical input for domestic herbal tea, food/flavor applications, cosmetics/personal care, and related industries. Vietnam has pursued R&D and pilot cultivation/acclimatization of temperate-origin essential-oil and medicinal plants including chamomile in highland areas such as Da Lat (Lam Dong) and in trial settings, alongside continued reliance on imported inputs for industry demand. Market access and continuity are highly sensitive to plant-quarantine compliance for imported plant materials and to food-safety documentation when marketed as a food product. As a result, importer documentation discipline and supplier quality systems are central to successful trade into Vietnam.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and processing market with emerging pilot cultivation
Domestic RoleBotanical raw material used by domestic herbal tea and ingredient users; limited domestic supply supported by pilot cultivation and research
SeasonalityVietnam research/trial reporting indicates chamomile flowering in Hanoi occurred from November to March (cross-year window); highland production windows may differ by microclimate and production system.
Specification
Primary VarietyGerman chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Physical Attributes- Dried flower heads/flowers with low moisture and minimal foreign matter are typical buyer acceptance criteria for chamomile botanicals sold as tea/ingredient inputs.
Compositional Metrics- Food-safety testing indicators for products marketed as foods in Vietnam must follow the Ministry of Health’s risk-based requirements (where applicable), supported by recent laboratory results.
Packaging- Moisture-barrier food-grade inner packaging with sealed outer cartons/bags is commonly used to protect dried chamomile from humidity pickup during storage and distribution.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Import sourcing or domestic pilot cultivation → harvest → drying (sun/controlled) → cleaning/sieving → packing → plant quarantine (imports) → importer/wholesaler → tea/ingredient users and retail packers
Temperature- Ambient storage is typical; humidity control is critical to prevent quality degradation and mold risk for dried botanicals.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life performance is strongly affected by moisture pickup during storage/transport; barrier packaging and dry warehousing reduce deterioration risk.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Plant Quarantine HighImport clearance can be blocked or significantly delayed if the shipment does not meet Vietnam’s plant quarantine requirements (e.g., missing phytosanitary certificate where required, presence of regulated pests, or missing import permit where PRA/permit is required).Confirm whether the product is an article liable to quarantine and whether PRA/permit applies; align documents and treatments pre-shipment, and pre-check requirements with Vietnam’s competent plant protection/quarantine authority.
Regulatory Compliance MediumIf dried chamomile is sold domestically as a food product, incomplete compliance with Decree 15/2018/ND-CP (self-declaration dossiers, valid lab test results, and compliant labeling for imports) can delay distribution or trigger enforcement action.Classify the product’s regulatory status (food vs. other use), prepare Decree 15 documentation where applicable, and use ISO 17025-capable labs for required safety indicators.
Supply Dependence MediumVietnam research sources note ongoing reliance on imports for essential-oil related inputs (including chamomile), so supply continuity and pricing can be exposed to external availability and trade/logistics disruptions.Qualify multiple origins/suppliers and maintain safety stock; consider contracting with validated domestic pilot growers where consistent specifications can be met.
FAQ
What is the most common plant-quarantine document risk when importing dried chamomile into Vietnam?A key risk is arriving without a valid phytosanitary certificate when the product is treated as an article liable to plant quarantine, or without an import permit where pest risk analysis (PRA) requirements apply. Vietnam’s plant protection and quarantine law and IPPC-reported requirements emphasize phytosanitary certificates and import permitting for certain regulated articles.
If chamomile is sold in Vietnam as a prepacked herbal tea product, what compliance step can gate market entry?Decree 15/2018/ND-CP provides for product self-declaration procedures for applicable food categories and requires supporting documentation such as recent food-safety test results from qualified laboratories, along with compliant labeling for imported foods. Whether these steps apply depends on the product’s regulatory classification and use.
Is there any evidence of Vietnam developing domestic chamomile cultivation?Yes. Vietnam research sources report acclimatization and cultivation models for temperate-origin essential-oil plants including chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), with reported models in Da Lat (Lam Dong) and trial observations including flowering reported in Hanoi from November to March in a referenced trial period.