Yen's pursuit of TCM began long before she came to China. She obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees in TCM from Vietnam University of Traditional Medicine before joining Da Nang Rehabilitation Hospital. She is now studying diligently to refine her clinical expertise in China.

Thai Thi Hai Yen (1st L) feels a patient's pulse during a consultation session at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Thai Thi Hai Yen (2nd R) and Dr. Tang Yaoping (1st R) examine a patient at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Thai Thi Hai Yen (2nd L) and Dr. Tang Yaoping (4th L) examine a patient at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Huanjie)

Thai Thi Hai Yen (C) feels a patient's pulse under the guidance of Dr. Tang Yaoping (R) at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Dr. Chen Manghua explains acupuncture know-how to Thai Thi Hai Yen (R) at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Dr. Chen Manghua (R) explains acupuncture know-how to Thai Thi Hai Yen at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Huanjie)

"After earning my PhD, I plan to return to Da Nang Rehabilitation Hospital and integrate TCM with multidisciplinary rehabilitation therapies to achieve better treatment outcomes for my patients," Yen said.

A time-honored hub for TCM education and cultural exchange with ASEAN nations, GUCM capitalizes on its strengths in both TCM and distinctive Zhuang ethnic medicine. The university has been attracting ASEAN students, boosting professional exchanges, and facilitating China-ASEAN cooperation in traditional medicine and people-to-people connectivity.

Thai Thi Hai Yen (2nd L) takes notes while Dr. Tang Yaoping (4th L) treats a patient at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Huanjie)

Thai Thi Hai Yen attends a lecture at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Thai Thi Hai Yen (R) chats with a classmate during a break at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)■