In the journey to discover authentic values of nature and indigenous culture, the Ngoc Linh Ginseng and International Medicinal Herbs Festival 2026 will open a unique experiential space where visitors can explore the stories behind rare medicinal herbs connected to mountain forests and generations of traditional folk knowledge.
It is also an opportunity for every journey to touch the pristine essence of the great forest, the tranquillity of nature, and the meaningful moments of cultural values preserved through generations.
According to the plan, the festival is scheduled to take place from August 1 to August 3, 2026, in Da Nang City, with various activities held at APEC Park, the southern landscape platform on the western bank of the Dragon Bridge, and Bach Dang pedestrian street. The event aims to promote the value of Ngoc Linh ginseng – one of Vietnam’s most precious medicinal herbs, while introducing the potential development of the medicinal herb industry associated with scientific research, investment and experiential tourism.
Honouring medicinal heritage and indigenous knowledge
Ngoc Linh ginseng has long been considered a symbol of Vietnam’s medicinal heritage, closely linked with forest ecosystems and the traditional knowledge of highland communities. Through the festival, the cultural, scientific and economic values of this precious plant will be widely introduced to visitors, scientists, businesses and investors from both Vietnam and abroad.
The event will also serve as a platform to connect stakeholders across the medicinal herb value chain – from research, genetic conservation and cultivation to processing, product development and market expansion. This contributes to promoting the sustainable development of the medicinal herb industry while enhancing the international value of Ngoc Linh ginseng.
A festival space rich in the colours of the great forest
One of the highlights of the festival is the opening ceremony themed “Ngoc Linh Ginseng – The Essence of the Great Forest”, which recreates the journey of discovering and preserving this precious ginseng in the lives of mountain communities.
Within the festival space, visitors will enjoy artistic performances imbued with cultural identity, where the sounds of gongs, traditional folk songs and rituals of the Ca Dong, Xo Dang, Bh’noong and Co Tu communities blend together in emotional stage performances.
Rituals such as the reenactment of the Ginseng God procession and the symbolic lighting ceremony of the ginseng icon will not only create memorable moments but also help visitors feel the deep connection between people and the forest. It is also a moment when travellers can touch the cultural moments of the great forest – where traditional values continue to live on today.
Prior to the festival, the Ginseng God worship ceremony and the gifting of Ngoc Linh ginseng seedlings is expected to take place at Ngoc Linh Ginseng Temple (Kon Pin Village, Tra Linh Commune) on July 31, 2026, featuring traditional rituals of the Xo Dang ethnic community to honour the sacred plant and pray for a prosperous harvest.
Experiencing the world of medicinal herbs
During the festival, various experiential spaces will allow visitors to explore the medicinal herb ecosystem of Central Vietnam.
The OCOP and medicinal herb exhibition area will introduce signature products made from Ngoc Linh ginseng and other valuable herbal resources of the mountainous region. Meanwhile, the “Flavours of the Great Forest” culinary space will offer traditional dishes closely associated with the daily lives of local ethnic communities.
Evening art programmes, sporting and experiential activities such as the “Million Steps to the Land of Ngoc Linh Ginseng” running event, along with tours to explore ginseng-growing areas, will give visitors the chance to better understand the natural landscapes and culture of the western mountainous areas of the city – where travellers can touch the pristine beauty of the forest, the tranquillity of nature and the simple rhythm of local life.
In addition, the festival will also feature golf and pickleball tournaments branded with Ngoc Linh ginseng, creating a vibrant atmosphere and strengthening community connections during the event.
Towards a national centre for medicinal herbs
The Ngoc Linh Ginseng and International Medicinal Herbs Festival 2026 is not only a cultural and tourism event but also an important step in the vision of developing Da Nang into a national centre for the medicinal herb industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng as its flagship product.
Through this event, the city aims to promote scientific cooperation, attract investment in the medicinal herb sector and develop tourism products associated with nature, wellness and indigenous culture.
In that journey, every experience at the festival is not only an opportunity to discover a precious natural treasure, but also a chance for visitors to touch the original values of nature, culture and mountain communities – where every moment and every space reveals the quiet, profound spirit of the great forest.
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
