Eco-tourism in the capital of Ngoc Linh ginseng

Nam Tra My is a district of Quang Nam province, located approximately 95km southwest of Tam Ky city, bordering three provinces: Quang Nam, Quang Ngai , and Kon Tum.

Experience the scent of the forest.

Nam Tra My district boasts one of the most diverse primary forests and forest ecosystems in Quang Nam province. Over the years, the forest has been strictly preserved by the local government and people, with forest cover exceeding 68% and continuing to increase thanks to a focus on forest restoration. Consequently, medicinal plant gardens have been expanded and developed, providing sustainable livelihoods for the people and contributing to tourism development. At the same time, Nam Tra My has become famous for its precious product, Ngoc Linh ginseng.

Head to southern Tra My to enjoy the flavors of the mountains and forests - Photo: Tran Duy

It's no coincidence that many people nowadays want to travel to Nam Tra My to experience it, because a trip to Nam Tra My is truly a journey of "green living." Throughout the trip, visitors will never lack the image of pristine nature, always ready to "purify" their souls and wash away the worries of everyday life.

Proof of this is that right from the road to Nam Tra My, it is surrounded on both sides by high mountain ranges and ancient primary forests. In the distance are the rooftops of the Xe Dang and Ca Dong ethnic minority people on their fields, creating a picture of wild yet extremely peaceful mountains and forests.

At the same time, visitors will encounter many waterfalls cascading year-round, most notably the Five-Tiered Waterfall. This waterfall is located on National Highway 40B in Tra Mai commune. The waterfall, hundreds of meters high, is formed on five rocky steps, hence its name, the Five-Tiered Waterfall. This is an adventurous tourist destination that attracts many visitors, becoming a popular place for young men and women of the Xe Dang and Ca Dong ethnic groups to socialize and date.

Visitors also get to see firsthand the suspension bridges spanning the rivers, which serve as pathways to the villages of the ethnic minorities. Imagine standing on a bridge with the vast and majestic nature below, taking a deep breath to feel the scent of the mountains and forests, and immersing yourself in the mythical stories of the mysterious wilderness. This is surely an experience that is not easily found many times in a lifetime, especially for those living and working in urban areas.

Furthermore, visitors can also admire the mesmerizing beauty of the terraced rice fields. Each terrace winding along the lush green hillsides creates a unique cultural identity of the ethnic people of Nam Tra My, allowing visitors to capture youthful memories or unforgettable moments with their families.

Lush green terraced rice fields in Nam Tra My - Photo: Tran Duy

Ngoc Linh Ginseng Festival and many exciting experiences.

There are many options for exploring Nam Tra My, depending on your travel plans and transportation preferences. Tourists can choose public transport such as buses, costing 65,000 VND per person per trip, departing from Tam Ky to Nam Tra My at 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 3:00 PM daily. Alternatively, tourists can opt for private coaches on the Tam Ky - Nam Tra My route, with various prices depending on the service.

To fully experience the beautiful scenery, tourists should choose to travel by private car or hire a tour vehicle, or they can also "backpack" by motorbike, as many young people choose.

The first leg of the journey can start from Tam Ky City (Quang Nam province) along National Highway 40B, heading to Tien Phuoc district, Bac Tra My, and then to Nam Tra My. Along this route, there are many scenic stops and attractions such as Phu Ninh Lake Eco-tourism Area (Phu Ninh district), the Huynh Thuc Khang Memorial House, Loc Yen ancient village (Tien Phuoc), the Zone 5 Party Committee historical site, and the Song Tranh 2 Hydropower Plant (Bac Tra My).

Tourists can also choose another itinerary, starting from Quang Ngai, following the Eastern Truong Son road to Son Tay district and passing through Khe Chu community tourism village in Tra Van commune, visiting the ancient cinnamon garden and swimming at Tac Chai waterfall, then going to the Tac Po administrative center.

Highland ginseng and medicinal herb market - Photo: Quang Nam Tourism Promotion Center

The third route can start from the Ho Chi Minh Highway (in the Dak To district – Kon Tum province), passing through Tu Mo Rong district to a tourist ginseng area bordering Quang Nam and Kon Tum provinces. This is an ideal place to take photos with its majestic mountains, layers of clouds, and very cold temperatures. About 5km further down, you'll reach a giant bamboo forest, Noong Lau waterfall, and the picturesque Long Tuc village of the Xe Dang people. Afterwards, visit the Tac To hot springs (right next to the highway) and then return to the Tac Po administrative center.

Nam Tra My is actively promoting community-based tourism, so the district center has no shortage of services to cater to tourists, especially accommodation, so there's no need to worry about food and lodging. Tourists have many options such as guesthouses, hotels, or they can participate in community-based tours, experiencing the daily life, eating, sleeping, and learning about the culture of the local ethnic communities.

Another special and interesting experience not to be missed when visiting Nam Tra My is the Ngoc Linh ginseng market. Specifically, from the 1st to the 3rd of each month, the Nam Tra My highland ginseng market opens right in the Tac Po administrative center, attracting thousands of visitors. Tourists will feel the honesty and simplicity of the mountain people. They can freely choose and buy Ngoc Linh ginseng plants that have been rigorously inspected for quality, as well as other precious medicinal plants from Ngoc Linh mountain to take care of their health and beauty.

In addition, from August 1st to 3rd every year, the Ngoc Linh Ginseng Festival takes place in the center of Nam Tra My district, honoring Ngoc Linh ginseng – a rare and endemic medicinal plant of Vietnam and the world. Participating in the festival, visitors will be immersed in the unique and diverse cultural sounds and colors.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/du-lich-xanh-o-thu-phu-sam-ngoc-linh-post243410.html