Building Ngoc Linh ginseng center from deep processing and the battle to protect the brand

SKĐS - Quang Ngai is determined to become a ginseng processing center, shifting from selling raw ginseng to deep processing. The province attracts large enterprises to build factories, and at the same time resolutely protects the "Ngoc Linh" geographical indication with growing area codes.

If the development of Ngoc Linh ginseng growing areas solves the problem of social security, then building a brand and developing the processing industry is the solution to the economic problem, deciding the success or failure of an entire industry. Quang Ngai province (formerly Kon Tum ) clearly determined that if it only stopped at selling raw ginseng roots, people would forever be forced to lower prices by traders, the market would be unstable and the added value would be extremely low.

A comprehensive strategy to build Quang Ngai into a national Ngoc Linh Ginseng center and a medicinal plant industry center has been launched. The focus of this strategy is a strong shift from raw agriculture to deep processing industry and an uncompromising fight to protect the brand.

Ngoc Linh ginseng festival is both an economic activity and a festival. Photo: HL

Deep processing revolution and investment attraction

Quang Ngai ’s most groundbreaking move in the 2024-2025 period is to roll out the red carpet to attract large enterprises and corporations with financial and technological potential. The province believes that only enterprises have the capacity to lead the value chain.

A series of preferential mechanisms on land, tax, and infrastructure have been issued, attracting strategic investors. As a result, many large-scale, modern processing factories have sprung up right in the center of Tu Mo Rong ginseng. Locating the factory right in the raw material area helps optimize the quality of medicinal substances, reduce transportation costs, and create thousands of industrial jobs for local workers.

The participation of large enterprises has completely changed the product picture. Instead of just fresh ginseng roots or traditional wine, the market now welcomes a series of 5-star OCOP products from Ngoc Linh Ginseng. These products are extremely diverse, from instant tea, health-enhancing energy drinks, soft capsules, ginseng candy, to high-end functional foods and cosmetics. These products not only conquer the domestic market but also begin their journey to reach the international market, bringing added value dozens of times higher than selling raw roots.

To promote trade, the 2025 Vietnam Ginseng International Festival was held in Quang Ngai (formerly Kon Tum City) - a large-scale cultural and economic event. This is not only a place to promote local culture, but also an important trade promotion forum, where ginseng processing enterprises and cooperatives meet and sign contracts to consume large volumes of output, ensuring stable output for the people.

Application for identification and traceability of Ngoc Linh ginseng. Photo by Phan Vinh

Resolutely protect Ngoc Linh Geographical Indication

Along with the construction, Quang Ngai is facing a huge challenge: protecting the brand. When the value of ginseng reaches hundreds of millions of VND per kilogram, the problem of fake ginseng and imitation ginseng has become more painful and sophisticated than ever.

The subjects used Panax pseudoginseng (similar in shape) from China, or foreign ginseng, even wild elephant foot yam, and then faked it as Ngoc Linh ginseng to deceive consumers. More dangerously, ginseng grown in other localities, without special soil and climate conditions like Ngoc Linh mountain, was also mixed in, causing confusion about quality.

The consequences of fake ginseng are extremely serious: losing consumer confidence, destroying market prices, and destroying the efforts of thousands of genuine ginseng growers.

To solve this problem, Quang Ngai is taking drastic action. The province is tightening the management of the Geographical Indication "Ngoc Linh" - a national asset that the province and Da Nang (formerly Quang Nam) jointly own. Only ginseng plants grown in the two districts of Tu Mo Rong, Dak Glei (now the communes of Dak Sao, Dak To Kan, Tu Mo Rong and Mang Ri) and Nam Tra My (Da Nang) with clear genetic origin, are protected by law under this name.

In particular, in the period of 2024-2025, the province is promoting the application of 4.0 technology in management. The issuance of growing area codes for each ginseng garden of people and businesses is being thoroughly implemented. Each ginseng product when put on the market must have a QR code traceability stamp. Consumers only need to scan the code to know exactly where this ginseng was grown, by which household, and when it was harvested. This is the most effective tool to make information transparent, helping consumers protect themselves and accurately identify Ngoc Linh Quang Ngai Ginseng.

Building a national brand is difficult, protecting it is even more difficult. Quang Ngai is showing its determination by synchronously carrying out two tasks: developing the processing industry to increase its value, and using technology to protect the purity of Vietnam's national treasure.

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Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/xay-dung-trung-tam-sam-ngoc-linh-tu-che-bien-sau-va-cuoc-chien-bao-ve-thuong-hieu-169251116215751995.htm