The folk knowledge of Ngoc Linh Ginseng was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage under Decision No. 1355/QĐ-BVHTTDL dated May 14, 2025.
ORIGIN AND SPACE
The Folk Knowledge of Ngoc Linh Ginseng in the former Nam Trà My District of Quang Nam Province is now mainly concentrated in Tra Linh, Tra Tap, Nam Tra My, and Tra Leng communes of Da Nang City. This is a high mountainous area in the southwest of the city, home to the majestic Ngoc Linh Peak rising 2,598 meters above sea level – regarded as the “roof of Central Vietnam” and the long-established homeland of the Xo Dang, Ca Dong, Bh’noong, and Cor ethnic groups. The region has a cool and humid climate year-round, with fertile forest soil rich in humus, creating ideal conditions for the growth of Ngoc Linh Ginseng.
Since ancient times, local people – especially the Xo Dang – have discovered and used Ngoc Linh Ginseng as a precious medicinal plant in their daily lives. According to oral tradition, their ancestors accidentally found the miraculous effects of this plant during hunting trips in the forest and passed this knowledge down through generations. The Xo Dang call Ngoc Linh Ginseng “cu ngai rom con” or “thuoc giau”, meaning a secret remedy carefully kept and protected as a sacred treasure of the mountains.
Over generations, the local community has developed a rich system of indigenous knowledge on how to identify, harvest, cultivate, and process Ngoc Linh Ginseng. Through diligence, ingenuity, and favorable natural conditions, the Ngoc Linh mountain region has become the “capital” of this rare and valuable ginseng – where Vietnam’s “national treasure” embodies unique medicinal properties found nowhere else in the world.
KNOWLEDGE OF HARVESTING, CULTIVATION, AND PROCESSING
Through many years of living in the forest, local people have accumulated extensive experience in identifying areas where Ngoc Linh Ginseng naturally grows. The plant thrives best at altitudes between 1,700 and 2,100 meters, growing abundantly on eastern slopes, at the foot of mountains, near streams, and in places with dense vegetation – sometimes even on rocks or decayed tree stumps.
Using simple and traditional methods, local people used to collect ginseng from the wild and casually plant a few along forest paths for personal use when needed. Gradually, as cultivation and propagation techniques improved, communities began to establish concentrated ginseng gardens.
The locals select ripe red ginseng fruits with black spots from plants over five years old (usually between July and September each year) to collect seeds for propagation. After being separated from the fruit, the seeds are sown in humus-rich soil on moderate slopes that allow proper drainage and retain moisture without waterlogging during heavy rain. The seedlings are carefully nurtured in nursery gardens for one to two years until they are strong enough for transplanting.
When planting under the forest canopy, they choose mountain slopes at elevations of 1,500 to 2,000 meters with rich, well-drained soil and about 70–80% shade cover. Throughout the care process, farmers protect the ginseng gardens from hail and frost, maintain adequate soil moisture without waterlogging, and regularly weed and inspect for pests and diseases to safeguard the young plants. Thanks to these valuable accumulated experiences, the propagation, cultivation, and protection of Ngoc Linh Ginseng have become increasingly effective, allowing the cultivated plants to thrive naturally in their native environment.
From traditional knowledge and the creativity of the local people, a variety of distinctive Ngoc Linh Ginseng products have been developed to meet the diverse needs of both locals and visitors – including fresh whole or sliced ginseng roots, ginseng leaves, ginseng tea, ginseng infused with liquor or honey, ginseng candy, effervescent ginseng tablets, bird’s nest stewed with ginseng, and ginseng extract.
DISTINCTIVE VALUES
Ngoc Linh Ginseng is honored as the “green gold” of Vietnam for its exceptional economic value. It is among the world’s richest medicinal plants in saponin content and enjoys a broad consumer market, with each mature root valued at hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong. The transition from natural harvesting to propagation, cultivation, and processing not only contributes to preserving the rare genetic source of Ngoc Linh Ginseng but also brings significant economic benefits. This shift reflects a transformation in local production practices – from foraging and gathering to concentrated and intensive cultivation – enabling many local residents to escape poverty sustainably, create long-term livelihoods, and contribute to regional economic development.
The Folk Knowledge of Ngoc Linh Ginseng is a treasured repository of historical and cultural value, deeply connected to the traditional swidden farming practices and forest-based lifestyle of local communities. It embodies their close relationship and harmony with nature. Moreover, this knowledge serves as a cultural bridge among the various ethnic groups of the Truong Son range, symbolizing the enduring solidarity between communities across the Ngoc Linh Mountains.
The national recognition of this heritage has instilled a profound sense of pride and responsibility among local people, encouraging them to preserve and promote their unique cultural identity for future generations.
EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES
The Ngoc Linh Ginseng plant and the indigenous knowledge surrounding it are deeply intertwined with the cultural and spiritual life of the local ethnic communities. Since ancient times, people have believed that mountain and forest deities protect this precious medicinal plant. As a result, many traditional rituals – such as the Mountain God Worship Ceremony and the Ngoc Linh Ginseng Worship Ceremony – have been preserved and passed down through generations.
To honor and promote the value of Ngoc Linh Ginseng, the local community also organizes various annual events and festivals, such as the Ngoc Linh Ginseng Festival (held in early August each year) and the Ngoc Linh Ginseng Fair (taking place from the 1st to the 3rd of every month). These events offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the cultivation and harvesting processes of Ngoc Linh Ginseng, experience traditional cultural rituals, listen to the sounds of gongs, enjoy vibrant folk performances, shop for Ngoc Linh Ginseng products, local medicinal herbs, and OCOP specialties, and savor the traditional cuisine rich in local identity.
Visitors can also accompany locals on forest walks to visit ginseng gardens nestled under ancient forest canopies, learn how to identify and care for Ngoc Linh Ginseng, and explore the area’s pristine natural attractions — such as the white cascading Tak Chuom Waterfall deep in the old forest, the centuries-old Trà Cang Chestnut Forest, or cloud-hunting at dawn atop the majestic Ngoc Linh Peak.
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
