Alpinia vietnamica H.Đ. Trần, Luu & škorničk. sp. nova (Zingiberaceae: Alpinieae) from the sect. Alpinia subsect. Catimbium with rugose leaves is described here. It occurs in central Vietnam and has been previously misidentified as A. rugosa described from Hainan, China. A detailed description, illustrations, as well as notes on distribution, ecology and phenology of the new species are given.