Da Nang has made a move to consolidate itself as a research hub, cultivation of medicinal plants and the marketing of Ngoc Linh ginseng, a resource considered strategic in Vietnam. Following the recent administrative reorganization, the city is developing a strategy that combines surface expansion, genetic conservation and processing with a national and international focus.
The plan envisions a total area dedicated to the development and preservation of 15.568 hectareswith a production base that already involves 18 organizations, several companies, and 41 family groups. In the field, the crop covers more than 825 hectares and around 1,27 million plants of different ages, in parallel with a strengthening of the legal framework to protect the geographical indication "Ngoc Linh".
Expansion and conservation plan
The Ngoc Linh Ginseng and Medicinal Herb Development Center operates with a Variety Protection Certificate in force since 2017, a key element to safeguard genetic resources and scale up production with reliable plant material.
Currently, a 15-hectare conservation plantation is maintained with more than 281.000 original seedlings two years or older, supported by a system that annually supplies around 120.000 seedlings for new cultivation areas and for comparative studies with other ginseng species.
The prices of seeds and seedlings are set in a uniform in accordance with state announcements, a mechanism designed to bring transparency and stability to the reproduction material market.
Alongside the expansion of the cultivated area, the authorities are prioritizing the preservation of the mountain ecosystem and the sustainable management of the environment, so that the growth of the crop of Ngoc Linh does not compromise environmental services and biodiversity.
Industry and processing: capacity and limits
The value chain incorporates five plants that They process ginseng derivatives and other derivatives of medicinal plantsAlongside traditional preparations such as ginseng wine, honey macerations or tea bags, some companies are starting to focus on functional foods and cosmetics based on Ngoc Linh.
The bottleneck remains in the available raw materialsSeveral companies report between 50 and 60 kg/year, which highlights the need to expand cultivation areas and attract operators with comprehensive processing capacity to gain scale and stability.
With that goal in mind, Da Nang seeks to attract leading companies that contribute technology, standardization and diversification of products, integrating applied research and quality control at the source.
Brand, origin and traceability
To protect the original value, a family group and six companies already have the Right to Use the Geographical Indication «Ngoc Linh», with a total of 66.357 plants certified for their origin.
The city has entrusted the Department of Science and Technology with the development of the "Da Nang Ginseng Ngoc Linh" brand with a system of clear and verifiable origin identification, and the goal of registering its protection internationally.
In the area of ​​transparency, efforts are underway to strengthen the systems of digital traceability throughout the supply chain, improve surveillance against counterfeit products and consolidate sales channels such as specialized markets and e-commerce platforms.
Investment and infrastructure: accelerating without losing control
The Nam Thang Binh Eco-Industrial Park (649 hectares) aspires to become a national complex of research, processing and trade of medicinal plants. Large corporations such as THACO, Capella, OSP and BRG are already exploring opportunities; THACO plans to develop a cultivation area of ​​1.250 hectares.
The main obstacle identified by administrations and companies is the lease of forest landwhose timeframes and incentives are ill-suited to long-cycle investments like ginseng. There are calls to adapt regulations to encourage investment and provide security for local communities.
In addition to the investment framework, the region prioritizes modernization roads, access and logistics For the farming areas, this is key to reducing costs, building resilience, and sustaining ecotourism associated with the Ngoc Linh territory.
Territorial impact and community response
The recent rains and landslides in the Ngoc Linh commune have tested the chain resilienceMore than 2.000 people, including residents, officers, and soldiers, worked simultaneously to clear roads and restore access to plantations and villages.
Authorities inspected the site and ordered urgent measures to reopen routes and assess damageMeanwhile, essential supplies were being mobilized. Humanitarian aid exceeded 12,5 tons in one of the most recent operations.
Opportunities for Spain and Europe
The combination of geographical indication, systems of enhanced traceability and an expanding industrial ecosystem aligns Ngoc Linh with the quality and origin requirements demanded by European importers.
For operators in Spain and the EU interested in high-value ingredients, the advance in certification, quality control and stable supply It opens the door to supply agreements and R&D collaborations, always subject to applicable EU regulations.
Institutional support, private investment, and community participation have placed Ngoc Linh ginseng in an early stage of maturity: more planned area, better genetic conservation, greater control of origin and an industry seeking strength to respond reliably to international markets.
