Honoring folk knowledge about Ngoc Linh ginseng.

VHO - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has just issued a decision to include "Folk knowledge about Ngoc Linh ginseng" in Nam Tra My district ( Quang Nam province ) in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

This affirms the exceptional value of Ngoc Linh ginseng, a "national treasure," while also honoring the precious indigenous knowledge of the highland people, who have preserved and passed down the experience of cultivating and harvesting ginseng through many generations.

The registration is an important step in the journey of preserving heritage associated with the sustainable development of the Nam Tra My ginseng region.

Performing rituals in the traditional procession of the Ginseng God by the ginseng-growing people of Quang Nam.

A living heritage amidst the vast wilderness.

Folk knowledge about the harvesting, cultivation, and processing of Ngoc Linh ginseng in Nam Tra My district is a valuable asset passed down through generations and a vivid testament to the profound harmony between people and the vast forest.

Formed from a long-standing tradition of slash-and-burn agriculture and forest culture, this treasure trove of knowledge is distilled from the experience, beliefs, and love of nature of generations of ethnic minorities in this region - especially the Xơ Đăng people.

Known as the "hidden medicinal plant," Ngoc Linh ginseng is not only a rare and precious medicinal herb listed in the Red Book of Vietnamese Plants , but also ranks among the top 5 best ginsengs in the world . In 2017, Ngoc Linh ginseng was officially recognized by the Government as a national product.

In Quang Nam, ginseng grows naturally at altitudes of 1,500-2,100m on the Ngoc Linh mountain range, concentrated in Tra Linh commune and neighboring communes such as Tra Nam, Tra Cang, Tra Don...

From the time their ancestors went into the forest to set traps, the Xơ Đăng people discovered the miraculous uses of ginseng, both for treating illnesses and as a protective amulet. Initially, ginseng was kept secret as a family heirloom. But over time, knowledge about identifying, harvesting, cultivating, caring for, and processing ginseng was shared and spread throughout the community.

From just a few dozen households initially cultivating ginseng in the 1990s, there are now more than 500 households growing ginseng in 7 out of 10 communes in Nam Tra My district. Ginseng forest protection checkpoints have also gradually been established, contributing to preserving the valuable genetic resources and protecting the Ngoc Linh ginseng brand.

Beyond farming techniques, this knowledge system is also a vibrant expression of community solidarity. From the Xơ Đăng people to the Ca Dong and Kinh people, ethnic groups live together, sharing and adapting experiences, creating a sustainable common knowledge base. Each step in practicing this heritage strengthens the bond between people, between people and the mountains and forests, between the lowlands and the highlands...

The journey to awaken the "national treasure"

Since 2017, the Ngoc Linh Ginseng Festival has been held annually in August in Nam Tra My district, becoming a unique cultural event that connects the community and promotes the brand of Vietnam's "national treasure".

The festival activities are closely linked to the traditional cultural performances of the Ca Dong, Mo Nong, and Xo Dang ethnic groups, especially the ritual of carrying the Ginseng God - recreating the belief that intimately connects people and the forest.

Since 2017, the monthly Ngoc Linh ginseng and medicinal herb market has yielded clear results, contributing to a stable income for ginseng growers and meeting the increasing demand from tourists for ginseng, ginseng products, and local specialties.

In 2019, the district launched a tourist route to visit the Tak Ngo ginseng garden, opening up a direction for the development of ecotourism and connecting the plains and mountainous areas of western Quang Nam province.

In 2020, the Ginseng God Temple was inaugurated in Kon Pin village, becoming a spiritual and cultural landmark where the annual Ginseng God worship ceremony is held on July 27th, commemorating the ancestors who pioneered and laid the groundwork for ginseng cultivation.

Ngoc Linh ginseng has become a "key economic sector" helping people in Nam Tra My escape poverty and achieve sustainable wealth in their homeland. To date, the entire district has over 500 people possessing valuable techniques and experience in harvesting, cultivating, processing, and using Ngoc Linh ginseng – a force of "heritage artisans" contributing to preserving and spreading indigenous knowledge.

Nam Tra My district has completed the procedures for leasing 806.38 hectares of forest land for ginseng cultivation, with 533 households and 18 businesses participating. Of these, 22 groups of households and companies are currently collaborating on ginseng cultivation, processing, and trading, gradually forming a sustainable value chain.

Recently, the Prime Minister approved the Project "Development and establishment of a medicinal plant industry center in Quang Nam province with Ngoc Linh ginseng as the main crop" (Decision No. 463/QD-TTg dated February 28, 2025).

Looking ahead to the third quarter of this year, Quang Nam province plans to host the first International Ngoc Linh Ginseng Festival – a milestone affirming the position of Vietnamese ginseng on the world medicinal herb map.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/vinh-danh-tri-thuc-dan-gian-ve-sam-ngoc-linh-135002.html