Chiang Mai University Wins 'Better Stands Gold Award' at Fi Vietnam 2026, Showcasing Thai Herbal Innovation on the Global Stage

Chiang Mai University has reinforced Thailand's innovative potential on the world stage after the Food Innovation Center (FIN) under the Faculty of Agro-Industry led a team of researchers and entrepreneurs to secure the 'Better Stands Gold Award' at the international exhibition 'Fi Vietnam 2026.' The award reflects international exhibition standards combined with sustainability principles and environmentally responsible booth management practices.

Between May 13-15, 2026, the Food Innovation Center brought faculty, researchers, and entrepreneurs under the project 'Connecting and Strengthen Herbal Capabilities in Mekong-Lancang with Green Technology' to showcase innovations in herbal extracts and high-value products at Food Ingredients Vietnam 2026 (Fi Vietnam 2026) at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yutthana Pimolsiriphol, Dean of the Faculty of Agro-Industry at Chiang Mai University, led the award-winning exhibition team.

The booth featured research outcomes and innovations in herbal extracts developed through collaboration between universities, researchers, and entrepreneurs in the Mekong-Lancang region, attracting continuous interest from investors, experts, and visitors from various countries.

One standout innovation was 'Sero-9,' a research product from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Chiang Mai University by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Waratida Chaiyana. It combines traditional herbal knowledge with green technology, featuring extracts of Rosa damascena petals, Zingiber ottense rhizomes, and cricket protein nano-emulsion to increase the commercial value and potential of Thai herbal extracts. The innovation is being further developed in partnership with Siam Dermapotech Company, demonstrating concrete research-to-industry linkage.

The project received support from the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Fund (LMC Fund) and involved regional partner organizations including Souphanouvong University in Laos, Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) in Hanoi.

This success reflects Chiang Mai University's role in advancing food, herbal, and green technology innovations through international cooperation networks, promoting Thai research globally, creating new business opportunities, and advancing sustainable herbal industry development in the Mekong-Lancang region and beyond.