(TITC) – Nestled amid the majestic Truong Son Mountain Range, where clouds embrace the peaks and cool mist lingers year-round, Quang Ngai (formerly part of Kon Tum) is home to one of the rarest and most valuable medicinal plants on Earth – Ngoc Linh ginseng. Named after Mount Ngoc Linh, this extraordinary root is not only the pride of the Central Highlands but is also revered as Vietnam’s “national treasure.”
Ngoc Linh ginseng was first discovered by scientists in 1973 on the Ngoc Linh range, which straddles the provinces of Kon Tum (now part of Quang Ngai) and Quang Nam (now Da Nang). The plant thrives naturally at altitudes between 1,200 and 2,100 metres, in moist soil beneath dense primeval forests with a temperate climate. These unique ecological conditions have endowed Ngoc Linh ginseng with a remarkable profile of bioactive compounds found in no other species of ginseng in the world.
Modern research has confirmed its wide-ranging benefits: boosting immunity, combating aging, improving memory, reducing stress, and supporting the treatment of various chronic diseases. Its scientific name, Panax vietnamensis, reflects both its botanical uniqueness and its deep connection to Vietnam’s natural heritage.
Photo: TITC
For generations, the Xe Dang, Ca Dong, and H’re ethnic groups of the region have regarded Ngoc Linh ginseng as a sacred “medicine of the forest.” To them, it is a gift of the gods, used to honor ancestors, welcome esteemed guests, and symbolize strength, vitality, and longevity. The plant’s spiritual significance is interwoven with their daily life and rituals, representing the harmony between human beings and the great forests that sustain them.
Recognizing its exceptional potential, the Quang Ngai provincial authorities have launched initiatives to preserve the plant’s genetic resources and develop the Ngoc Linh ginseng brand into a key national product. Tu Mo Rong District has been designated as the “capital of ginseng,” where hundreds of households now cultivate the plant organically and sustainably.
In recent years, the province has also promoted ecotourism linked to Ngoc Linh ginseng. Visitors can stroll through lush green ginseng gardens shaded by old-growth forests, learn about traditional cultivation and harvesting techniques, and sample an array of ginseng-based products, from teas and wines to honey, essential oils, and health supplements.
The annual Ngoc Linh Ginseng Festival in Kon Tum (Quang Ngai) has become a hallmark cultural and tourism event. It celebrates the enduring value of this “national treasure,” while showcasing the beauty of the Central Highlands and the warmth of its people to both domestic and international visitors. Through performances, exhibitions, and trade fairs, the festival honors the legacy of the mountains and the human determination that sustains it.
With its priceless medicinal properties, economic promise, and profound cultural resonance, Ngoc Linh ginseng stands as both the pride of the Central Highlands and a symbol of the region’s resilience and ambition. Amid the ancient forests, tender ginseng sprouts rise quietly from the rich soil, embodying the essence of heaven and earth, and carrying with them the dream of elevating a Vietnamese brand to global renown.
Tourism Information Technology Center
