From folk knowledge heritage to sustainable development strategy

Ngoc Linh ginseng - the "national treasure" of the Truong Son mountain range, is not only valuable for its medicinal value but also contains a rich system of folk knowledge, closely associated with the cultural and religious life of the Xo Dang and Gie-Trieng people in the highlands of western Quang Ngai province.

Ethnic minorities develop household economy , rise up to escape poverty sustainably thanks to Ngoc Linh ginseng.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's official inclusion of "Folk knowledge about Ngoc Linh ginseng in Tu Mo Rong and Dak Glei districts, Kon Tum province (old)" in the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in Decision No. 1656/QD-BVHTTDL dated June 3, 2025 is a historic turning point, affirming the position of indigenous knowledge in sustainable socio-economic development, cultural preservation and environmental protection.

Ethnic minorities take care of Ngoc Linh ginseng plants.

Folk knowledge heritage - treasure of the mountains and forests

For generations, in the minds of the ethnic minorities Xo Dang and Gie-Trieng, Ngoc Linh ginseng, or locally known as “Pom sang” (bitter root), has been considered a sacred treasure bestowed by the forest and mountain gods.

Not only is it a precious medicinal herb, Ngoc Linh ginseng is also associated with many traditional rituals such as the forest god worship ceremony, the ritual of asking permission from the forest before exploiting ginseng... activities that reflect the harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

Ethnic minorities carry cans of water from the stream to water Ngoc Linh ginseng plants.

According to the inventory results of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Kon Tum province (old), there are currently more than 1,200 people holding folk knowledge about Ngoc Linh ginseng. This knowledge is not contained in books but is passed down through practice, through stories, and through each generation. Artisans and village elders with deep knowledge of ginseng have preserved and shared the secrets of identifying, propagating, caring for, harvesting and processing ginseng naturally and effectively.

Comrade Vo Trung Manh, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tu Mo Rong Commune, Quang Ngai Province, said: “Folk knowledge about Ngoc Linh ginseng is a special cultural asset. It not only helps people grow ginseng successfully but also serves as a foundation for developing community tourism, associated with forest protection and preserving national identity.”

Ethnic minorities water and care for Ngoc Linh ginseng plants.

The recognition of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Decision No. 1656/QD-BVHTTDL dated June 3, 2025 not only recognizes the historical-cultural value of the heritage but also opens up opportunities for the western region of Quang Ngai province to develop medicinal herbs in a sustainable and in-depth direction.

Economic development model associated with cultural preservation

Ngoc Linh ginseng is currently one of the national products, approved by the Prime Minister in the "Program for developing Vietnamese ginseng to 2030, with a vision to 2045" (Decision No. 787/QD-TTg dated July 9, 2023). With more than 2,422 hectares of ginseng growing area, the western region of Quang Ngai province is a key area for developing large-scale ginseng raw material areas in the province.

Many years old Ngoc Linh ginseng trees are auctioned, bringing in significant income for ethnic minorities.

The economic value of Ngoc Linh ginseng is constantly increasing: ginseng leaves cost 7 to 8 million VND/kg, ginseng flowers 15 to 17 million VND/kg, ginseng seeds 80 to 100 million VND/1,000 seeds, fresh ginseng, depending on the number of years of cultivation, costs from 65 million to more than 220 million VND/kg. This is the basis for people to escape poverty and become rich legitimately.

In particular, the model of growing ginseng under the canopy of natural forests is encouraged to be replicated. Ginseng growers establish “ginseng garden protection posts”, each post has 10 households or more to guard and support each other in terms of varieties, techniques and experience. This model not only ensures the safety of ginseng gardens but also contributes to forest protection and biodiversity conservation.

The joy of successfully auctioning a satisfactory Ngoc Linh ginseng plant.

Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ngai Province, Y Ngoc, affirmed: "We identify Ngoc Linh ginseng as not only an economic product but also an identity and a belief of the community. Therefore, all development policies aim to protect both the ginseng plant and the cultural values ​​associated with it."

Integrating heritage into sustainable development strategy

According to the orientation of the Party and the State, the development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas must be associated with promoting internal strength, respecting cultural identity and harmoniously combining tradition and modernity. Folk knowledge about Ngoc Linh ginseng is a vivid proof of this orientation.

Ethnic minority communities together take care of Ngoc Linh ginseng.

Kon Tum Province (old) has issued a series of specific policies such as Resolution No. 03-NQ/TU (2011), Resolution No. 08-NQ/TU (2018), Resolution No. 14-NQ/TU (2022), along with investment, development and processing projects for medicinal herbs until 2030. These documents not only affirm the strategic role of ginseng but also demonstrate a sustainable development mindset, focusing on the community.

In fact, along with production development, the locality also actively calls for investment in building deep processing factories, organizing traceability, and protecting the Ngoc Linh ginseng brand from the risk of counterfeiting and imitation.

The formation of ginseng growing cooperatives and cooperative groups helps create a bridge between people-businesses-scientists-managers, ensuring close links throughout the value chain.

Ngoc Linh ginseng is grown on Ngoc Linh peak, deep in the old forest canopy.

At the same time, community training courses, ginseng garden models associated with eco-tourism and cultural education are being vigorously implemented. These activities not only help people improve their production skills but also arouse national cultural pride, motivating the younger generation to continue the knowledge of their ancestors.

Ethnic minorities bring their own Ngoc Linh ginseng to sell at medicinal fairs.

Since 1973, a series of scientific research projects have proven the outstanding value of Ngoc Linh ginseng in medicine such as increasing immunity, fighting stress, fighting depression, supporting the treatment of cancer, diabetes, etc.

Scientists have determined that Ngoc Linh ginseng contains more than 50 rare saponin compounds, with a content twice as high as Korean ginseng, opening up great potential for the development of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food products to serve the domestic and export markets.

Heritage stories - unique and different

In the context of globalization and fierce competition in medicinal products, the recognition of folk knowledge about Ngoc Linh ginseng as a national intangible cultural heritage will be an important "shield" to protect the brand and fight against counterfeit and fake goods.

This is also a unique factor that makes Vietnamese ginseng different in the international market, where consumers increasingly pay attention to the origin, heritage and accompanying cultural story.

People make fences with spikes to protect Ngoc Linh ginseng.

According to the plan, Kon Tum province (old) aims to reach 4,500 hectares of ginseng by 2025 and 10,000 hectares by 2030.

This is an ambitious but feasible strategy with the support of businesses, scientists and indigenous communities.

Ngoc Linh ginseng helps ethnic minorities in the west of Quang Ngai province escape poverty.

From the silent footsteps of the Xo Dang people searching for “bitter roots” in the deep forest, to thousands of households working together to protect “ginseng posts”, and then a whole system of support, conservation and development policies being established, Ngoc Linh ginseng has become a symbol of the harmony between nature and culture, between tradition and modernity.

Planting Ngoc Linh ginseng seedlings on the top of Ngoc Linh mountain.

The fact that folk knowledge about Ngoc Linh ginseng is included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List is not only the pride of the people of the western region of Quang Ngai but also a valuable asset of the Vietnamese people.

This is a clear demonstration of the Party’s correct policy and the State’s popular policy in developing ethnic minority and mountainous areas. With consistent orientation, appropriate policies and the consensus of the entire political system and the people, we believe that Ngoc Linh ginseng will continue to shine, not only as the “national medicinal capital”, but also as a bright spot in the country’s culture, economy and tourism.

PHUC THANG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tu-di-san-tri-thuc-dan-gian-den-chien-luoc-phat-trien-ben-vung-post905105.html