In 2022, pharmacist Đoàn Thị Hồng Thắm stepped into the spotlight on Shark Tank Vietnam, pitching her herbal tea startup Hygie & Panacee. She confidently asked for 5 billion VND in exchange for 10 percent equity in her company. Despite strong interest and thoughtful discussion from the Sharks, no deal was closed. For many startups, this kind of rejection would mark the end of their journey. But not for Thắm. That “no” became a turning point. What followed is a powerful story of resilience, innovation, and global ambition.
Key Takeaways
- Hygie & Panacee was rejected on Shark Tank Vietnam but chose to grow independently.
- Founder Đoàn Thị Hồng Thắm is a pharmacist with expertise in herbal pharmacology.
- The company has expanded from 4 to 14 products with strong year-on-year growth.
- Products are now exported to the U.S., Europe, South Korea, and Australia.
- Customers praise the products for their effectiveness, taste, and clean ingredients.
- The brand supports ethical sourcing and helps uplift Vietnamese farming communities.
Who Is Đoàn Thị Hồng Thắm?
Đoàn Thị Hồng Thắm is not a typical startup founder chasing trends. She is a licensed pharmacist with more than 15 years of experience in Vietnam’s pharmaceutical industry. Before starting her own company, she was involved in developing Eugica, one of the country’s most trusted over-the-counter herbal cough syrups. Eugica became a household name and earned widespread recognition across pharmacies in Vietnam and even abroad.
Thắm has always believed in the power of traditional Vietnamese herbal medicine. However, she wanted to modernize it by making it easier to consume, more consistent in quality, and accessible to younger, health-conscious consumers. This vision led her to leave her stable pharmaceutical career and launch her own venture. In 2017, she founded Hygie & Panacee, naming it after the ancient Greek goddesses of health and healing. The name reflects her mission to blend modern science with natural medicine.
What Is Hygie & Panacee?
Hygie & Panacee is a Vietnamese wellness brand that specializes in instant herbal tea powders made from native medicinal plants. These are not your typical tea bags or loose herbs. Instead, the company uses a pharmaceutical-grade extraction process to create single-serve powder sachets that dissolve instantly in hot or cold water, providing convenience and consistency without sacrificing effectiveness.
Each product is designed to support a specific health need. Some of the most popular blends promote better sleep, improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and liver detoxification. The company’s formulations are developed by a team of experts in pharmacology, ensuring each product meets strict health and safety standards.
What sets Hygie & Panacee apart is its commitment to clean-label manufacturing. All products are free from preservatives, artificial colors, and added sugars. They are also vegan, keto-friendly, and certified under ISO 22000:2018 food safety standards. This combination of convenience, science-backed formulations, and traditional ingredients makes the brand uniquely positioned in the wellness market.
The Shark Tank Rejection
During her appearance on Shark Tank Vietnam Season 5, Thắm showcased Hygie & Panacee’s herbal tea blends, highlighting their functional health benefits and the company’s early traction in both sales and customer loyalty. She requested an investment of 5 billion VND (roughly 213,000 USD) for a 10 percent stake in the company.
Shark Lê Hùng Anh showed particular interest and praised Thắm’s background and product concept. However, he proposed a different deal structure that involved a higher equity demand in exchange for his investment.
Thắm valued her company’s long-term vision and independence, so she declined the counteroffer. She chose to walk away without securing a deal. While this decision might have seemed risky, especially in front of a national television audience, it ultimately proved to be a defining moment for her and the business.
Rather than being discouraged by the rejection, Thắm used the exposure and feedback from the show to refine her brand strategy, expand product lines, and focus on sustainable growth without compromising her values.
From “No Deal” to Global Expansion
After the Shark Tank episode aired, many viewers assumed the startup might struggle to scale without a major investment.
However, Hygie & Panacee did the opposite. The company steadily built momentum. Within a year, it reported a revenue increase from 1.7 billion to 2.8 billion VND. Projections now estimate future revenue reaching over 71 billion VND as the brand gains traction in international markets.
One major shift came in late 2022 when Thắm decided to adjust the retail pricing. The decision was necessary to account for higher production costs as the company scaled up and maintained premium standards. Surprisingly, this price increase did not result in customer churn. Instead, loyal customers continued to support the brand, which reflected the quality and trust the company had built.
Hygie & Panacee also expanded its product range from four to over fourteen SKUs, including new formulations targeting joint health, immune support, and skin wellness. Many of these additions were based on direct customer feedback, showing the brand’s commitment to community-driven innovation.
All of this was achieved without any outside investment, making the story even more remarkable. Thắm’s strategic decisions, strong product-market fit, and deep understanding of herbal pharmacology have turned the brand into a rising force in the global wellness industry.
Hygie & Panacee Is Now Exporting Worldwide
Today, Hygie & Panacee is proudly flying the Vietnamese flag on international shelves. Its products are being exported to the United States, Australia, Europe, South Korea, and several Southeast Asian countries.
The company began selling through major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Shopee, Ubuy, and Vietnam’s own Chus.vn, which specializes in clean-label and sustainable local products. In early 2023, it completed the regulatory process required to become an official herbal distributor in South Korea—a highly competitive and health-conscious market.
Hygie & Panacee also actively participates in international trade expos, including SIAL Shanghai, THAIFEX Anuga Asia, and the ASEAN-India Business Expo. These efforts have gained attention from global buyers and wellness brands. Distribution discussions are currently underway with partners in Germany, Dubai, and Japan, where demand for clean-label functional beverages continues to rise.
By positioning itself as a bridge between traditional Vietnamese remedies and modern wellness trends, Hygie & Panacee is gradually becoming a global ambassador for Vietnam’s herbal medicine industry.
What Makes These Herbal Teas Unique?
One of the most innovative aspects of Hygie & Panacee’s products is the format. These are not traditional steeped teas. Instead, they are pharmaceutical-grade herbal extracts converted into fine powders that instantly dissolve in water.
Each sachet contains a precise amount of active compounds from medicinal plants such as passionflower for relaxation, turmeric and ginger for anti-inflammatory support, lotus leaf for stress relief, and solanum procumbens for liver protection. This precise extraction ensures consistency, effectiveness, and ease of use. It’s ideal for modern, busy lifestyles.
The company also responded to customer feedback by changing its packaging. Originally launched in tin boxes, the herbal teas are now offered in individually wrapped sachets that are lightweight, travel-friendly, and more hygienic.
This combination of scientific formulation, natural ingredients, and user convenience is rare in the herbal supplement market, especially among small startups.
What Are Customers Saying?
Customer reviews across platforms reveal a high level of satisfaction with both the quality and effectiveness of Hygie & Panacee’s products.
On Shopee, the brand holds a 4.9 overall shop rating, with many products consistently receiving 5-star reviews. On Chus.vn, a marketplace that only sells verified clean products, Hygie & Panacee has earned an impressive 4.86 average rating based on over 165 customer reviews.
The brand’s Sleep Mix is frequently praised for its gentle yet effective results. Many customers mention that they are able to fall asleep faster and wake up more refreshed without feeling groggy or dependent on stronger sleep aids.
The Liver Detox Tea and Anti-inflammatory blends are also best-sellers, especially among office workers, middle-aged consumers, and wellness-conscious individuals looking for natural health boosters.
One verified customer review reads:
“I’ve tried many herbal teas before, but this is the first one that actually worked for my sleep problems. It’s convenient, tastes natural, and I don’t wake up groggy. Highly recommend!”
The brand’s ability to win and retain customers speaks volumes about its product integrity.
Beyond Business: Supporting Vietnamese Farmers
Hygie & Panacee is not just about selling wellness teas. It’s also about building a sustainable ecosystem that supports rural Vietnamese farmers and promotes ethical sourcing.
All of the herbs used in the products are sourced from VietGAP-certified cooperatives. This means the crops are grown using clean, traceable, and environmentally responsible methods.
This initiative has helped uplift local farming communities by giving them predictable income and turning previously overlooked crops into high-value export goods. Some farmers, who once sold herbs in bulk with little value, now cultivate specialty herbs under long-term contracts with the brand.
By investing in fair trade practices and ethical supply chains, Hygie & Panacee is creating impact beyond the shelf. It is empowering Vietnam’s agricultural sector while preserving traditional botanical knowledge.
What’s Next for Hygie & Panacee?
Looking ahead, the company has ambitious goals for further global expansion. Plans are in motion to officially launch in Germany, Dubai, and Japan—markets known for their high standards in wellness and food safety.
New product lines are also being researched, including blends for women’s health, cognitive support, and anti-aging. All future products will continue to align with the company’s clean-label philosophy and use responsibly sourced ingredients.
Meanwhile, Hygie & Panacee remains deeply committed to its original mission: combining Vietnamese traditional medicine with modern health innovation to serve global consumers who seek natural alternatives.
Final Thoughts: Success Without a Shark
Hygie & Panacee’s journey proves that a Shark Tank rejection does not mean failure. In fact, it can spark even greater determination.
Through scientific rigor, smart branding, and authentic storytelling, this Vietnamese herbal tea company has quietly grown into an international player. It now serves thousands of customers across continents and showcases the global potential of local traditions.
Đoàn Thị Hồng Thắm didn’t just build a company. She built a movement.
And the world is finally starting to take notice.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
After being rejected on Shark Tank Vietnam, Vietnamese herbal tea startup Hygie & Panacee expanded globally by sticking to its mission of combining traditional herbal remedies with modern wellness. Now, it’s exporting to the U.S., Europe, and beyond — all without Shark backing.
FAQs
Is Hygie & Panacee still in business in 2025?
Yes, Hygie & Panacee is actively growing its product line and exporting herbal teas to countries like the U.S., South Korea, and EU nations.
Did Hygie & Panacee get a deal on Shark Tank Vietnam?
No, although there was interest from Shark Lê Hùng Anh, a deal was not finalized due to disagreement over equity share.
Who is the founder of Hygie & Panacee?
The startup was founded by Đoàn Thị Hồng Thắm, a pharmacist known for developing the popular herbal syrup Eugica.
Where can I buy Hygie & Panacee herbal tea?
You can buy their products on Amazon, Ubuy, Shopee, Chus.vn, and through export partners in the U.S., Korea, and Australia.
What makes Hygie & Panacee different from other herbal tea brands?
They use traditional Vietnamese medicinal herbs with modern pharmaceutical-grade extraction, ensuring convenience and health benefits in instant tea powders.
Is Hygie & Panacee certified for international markets?
Yes, the company adheres to ISO 22000:2018 food safety standards and uses traceable sourcing from VietGAP-certified cooperatives.