Ngoc Linh Ginseng - Vietnamese Ginseng

As a herbaceous plant, it grows and thrives in the Ngoc Linh mountain range in Quang Nam and Kon Tum provinces. During the war, it was discovered by the people and soldiers of Zone 5, hence the name K5 Ginseng. Its scientific name is Panax articulatus KL Dao (1973) ex Ha et Gruskv (1985). The Xo Dang ethnic people in this region call it "ngai rom," "bamboo ginseng," or "bear medicine plant." When people dig up the roots and eat them in the forest, they feel very strong, even when hungry or thirsty. Ngoc Linh Ginseng lives and thrives under the canopy of old-growth forests at altitudes above 1200m above sea level. Now, the governments of these two provinces encourage people to protect the old-growth forests to develop this economically potential plant on the slopes of Ngoc Linh mountain, and it is a valuable medicinal herb in Vietnam. It has brought high economic benefits to the people on these slopes, such as in Nam Tra My district, including the communes of Tra Linh, Tra Nam, and Tra Cang...

The vegetation ecosystem on the slopes of Ngoc Linh mountain, Tra My commune.

Vietnam.vn invites you to learn about Ngoc Linh ginseng through the photo series "The Story of Ngoc Linh Ginseng (Vietnamese Ginseng) and the Nam Tra My Market" by photographer Huy Dang Pham in Quang Nam . The photo series was submitted to the "Happy Vietnam" photo and video contest organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications .

A model of the Ngoc Linh ginseng plant at the Nam Tra My Fair.

Ginseng plants are grown on a layer of humus in the ancient Ngoc Linh forest.

Ginseng and medicinal products are sold at the Tra My South Fair market on the 1st of every month.

A ginseng plant is in bloom and bearing fruit for the new season.

Cherishing the seeds of Vietnamese ginseng.

A nearly 10-year-old ginseng root was traded at the local market.

Products refined from Ngoc Linh ginseng are sold in stalls at the market.

Studies have consistently confirmed that Ngoc Linh ginseng is a highly valuable medicinal herb in Vietnam, proven to enhance the immune system, improve memory, fight inflammation, reduce stress, combat cancer, and prevent aging. The rhizome and root are used as medicine, while the leaves and stem are used to make ginseng tea. A study published in the Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal of the Japan Pharmaceutical Association, in 1998, tested the inhibitory effects of seven saponins isolated from the rhizomes and roots of Ngoc Linh ginseng on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA). The results showed that Majonoside-R2 – an Ocotillol-group saponin accounting for more than half of the total saponin content of Ngoc Linh ginseng – significantly inhibited EBV-EA activation; and Majornoside-R2 may be a valuable chemical agent capable of combating chemical carcinogens. Meanwhile, the research project: "New sesquiterpene lactone metabolites from Ngoc Linh ginseng" by a group of Vietnamese authors and a foreign researcher - Poul Erik Hansenf (Faculty of Science and Environment, University of Roskilde, Denmark) has shown that sesquiterpene lactones are an important group of natural products obtained from many medicinal plants, with diverse structures and good biological activities for health such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-malarial, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Ngoc Linh ginseng acts like a natural antibiotic, possessing excellent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. For the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, and those with multiple underlying diseases, regular use of ginseng helps restore health and strengthen resistance. Ngoc Linh ginseng has also been approved by the Government as a national brand product, a "national treasure" of Vietnam, and is included in the list of prohibited species for exploitation, belonging to the 250 rare species in the Red Book. In 2024, the "Happy Vietnam" photo and video contest continued to be organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists on the website.   https://happy.vietnam.vn is open to all Vietnamese citizens and foreigners aged 15 and above. The competition aims to honor individuals and groups with positive informational products that make practical contributions to promoting a beautiful image of Vietnam to the world . Through this, it helps people at home, overseas Vietnamese, and international friends access authentic images of Vietnam, its people, its achievements in ensuring human rights, and towards a happy Vietnam. Each competition category (photos and videos) has the following prizes and prize values: – 1 Gold Medal: 70,000,000 VND – 2 Silver Medals: 20,000,000 VND – 3 Bronze Medals: 10,000,000 VND – 10 Consolation Prizes: 5,000,000 VND – 1 Most Voted entry: 5,000,000 VND. Winning authors will be invited by the Organizing Committee to attend the Award Ceremony and Certificate Presentation, broadcast live on Vietnam Television.

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