Da Nang Hosts International Ginseng and Medicinal Herbs Festival to Boost Regional Economy

The International Ginseng and Medicinal Herbs Festival (Lễ hội Sâm Ngọc Linh và Dược liệu quốc tế) was held in Da Nang, a major city in central Vietnam, from August 1st to 3rd. This festival aims to enhance the recognition and branding of Ngoc Linh ginseng (Sâm Ngọc Linh), a highly valued medicinal plant in Vietnam, and to boost the regional economy. The festival, hosted in Da Nang City, attracted a large number of residents and tourists. The venue featured diverse exhibitions and seminars on the cultivation, processing, and utilization of Ngoc Linh ginseng as a health food. Notably, one-year-old Ngoc Linh ginseng seedlings were sold for 155,000 Vietnamese Dong (approximately $6.50 USD), highlighting its high value and rarity. Ngoc Linh ginseng is a variety of Korean ginseng native to the Ngoc Linh mountain range in Kon Tum Province in Vietnam's Central Highlands, and is often referred to as a "national treasure" due to its potent medicinal properties. In recent years, the Vietnamese government has aimed to develop Ngoc Linh ginseng into a national brand, and this festival is positioned as part of that initiative. This marks the first time Da Nang City has hosted such an international festival, which is expected to enhance the city's image and attract tourists. The festival provided an opportunity for Ngoc Linh ginseng producers, processors, researchers, and tourism industry stakeholders to generate new business opportunities. Under Vietnam's one-party system, state-led industrial development policies are a key pillar of economic growth, and the branding of Ngoc Linh ginseng is an example of this. Furthermore, for Vietnam, which has strong economic ties with China, developing international sales channels for domestic specialties is important from the perspective of economic diversification.