Collaboration in researching saponin content of Ngoc Linh ginseng

The People’s Committee of Tu Mo Rong District (Kon Tum Province), in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Biotechnology Center, organized a seminar on December 10 with the aim of building, protecting, and developing the Ngoc Linh ginseng brand. Furthermore, it aims to establish Ngoc Linh as a Vietnamese ginseng brand from historical, scientific, and practical perspectives.

The conservation and development of Ngoc Linh ginseng

Tu Mo Rong District is the largest Ngoc Linh ginseng-producing region in Vietnam, with a total acreage of 2,800 hectares. Over the last five years, the cultivation of Ngoc Linh ginseng has eliminated poverty for nearly 2,000 local households. Several local families were able to earn significant annual income from Ngoc Linh ginseng.

Due to its high economic value, various fraudsters has exploited Ngoc Linh ginseng by selling counterfeit plants and roots, resulting in significant consumer losses.

According to Professor Tran Cong Luan, Rector of Tay Do University and former Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Ginseng and Medicinal Materials, Ngoc Linh ginseng is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the Xo Dang ethnic community. The Xo Dang people inhabit the Ngoc Linh mountain range, which spans the provinces of Kon Tum and Quang Nam. In 1973, pharmacist Dao Kim Long led a team that discovered Ngoc Linh ginseng at an altitude of 1,800 meters in Ngoc Lay, Dak To District (Kon Tum Province).

Regarding the conservation and development of Ngoc Linh ginseng's genetic resources, Professor Tran Cong Luan emphasized the importance and immense value of this medicinal plant, which has received official recognition as a national treasure of Vietnam. As a result, researchers involved in preserving and developing Ngoc Linh ginseng must collaborate for the benefit of the people.

After acknowledging the benefits of Ngoc Linh ginseng, the government is making an effort to establish definitive legal frameworks. On the other hand, the business community is also aware of this plant's potential. Consequently, businesses are investing in the development of Ngoc Linh ginseng to create products capable of competing in global markets. Additionally, scientists must conduct in-depth research to enhance the value of this ginseng variety.

“More than 50 years after its discovery, the medicinal plant treasured by the Xo Dang ethnic group has received official recognition as the national ginseng of Vietnam. It has also left a significant impression on the global stage. However, only 65 studies on Ngoc Linh ginseng have been published worldwide. This is a modest figure compared to Korean ginseng, though these studies represent considerable scientific and practical achievements,” Professor Tran Cong Luan noted.

Due to their rarity and high economic value, counterfeit products have become a pressing issue. Moreover, Vietnam has identified two additional varieties of Ngoc Linh ginseng, raising concerns about potential confusion regarding their usage and value. Professor Tran highlighted the need for transparent legal and scientific frameworks as well as greater consumer awareness to ensure the credibility and quality of Ngoc Linh ginseng products.

Establishing a National Brand for Ngoc Linh Ginseng

Professor Nguyen Minh Duc from Ton Duc Thang University stated that since its discovery over fifty years ago, Vietnamese scientists, in collaboration with international partners, have conducted comprehensive studies on Ngoc Linh ginseng across various fields.

Some recent scientific seminars have suggested that Ngoc Linh ginseng and Lai Chau ginseng share the same scientific name as "Vietnamese ginseng." However, Ngoc Linh ginseng is an endemic plant native to the Ngoc Linh mountain range. It is distinguished by a unique and diverse saponin composition compared to other ginseng species.

Based on historical, scientific, and practical evidence, Professor Nguyen Minh Duc recommended reserving the name "Vietnamese ginseng" exclusively for this rare, native plant. He proposed that Ngoc Linh ginseng cultivated in the Ngoc Linh region of Kon Tum and Quang Nam provinces, with established geographical indications and produciton unit codes, should carry the brand name "Ngoc Linh ginseng."

“The official recognition of Ngoc Linh ginseng as a national product provides a foundation for launching campaigns to build its image and promote its brand. However, significant investment in research and development is essential to create diverse, high-quality products that can measure up to the prestige of a national brand,” shared Professor Nguyen Minh Duc.

Vo Trung Manh, Chairman of the Tu Mo Rong District People’s Committee, noted that discussions at the seminar has affirmed the value of Ngoc Linh ginseng from historical, scientific, and practical perspectives. These insights led to recommendations for protecting and developing the Ngoc Linh ginseng brand as a symbol of Vietnamese ginseng.

The seminar saw the signing of agreements related to Ngoc Linh ginseng, which provide significant opportunities for ginseng farmers and the ginseng industry as a whole. Notably, an agreement to collaborate on researching the active compound content of Ngoc Linh ginseng will help identify the plant's saponin levels throughout its different growth stages. Consequently, this research will further enhance the value of Ngoc Linh ginseng, promote consumer confidence, and maximize benefits.

“The establishment of the Institute for Ngoc Linh Ginseng Research and Development can provide scientists with opportunities for in-depth, comprehensive studies of Ngoc Linh ginseng, laying the foundation for sustainable development strategies. Additionally, the memorandum of understanding on researching and transferring rapid testing methods to distinguish Ngoc Linh ginseng from other varieties will enable local governments to manage and trace the origins of ginseng products more effectively. This will help protect consumers from fraudulent practices involving this ginseng,” Chairman Vo Trung Manh stated.