Lai Chau ginseng: Treasure of Ta Leng highlands

A hub for conserving precious genetic resources of Lai Chau ginseng

After 10 years of development, the Lai Chau Mountain Ginseng Conservation and Development Cooperative has established a systematic production system, from nurseries to greenhouse cultivation and care, with a core focus on conserving genetic resources and developing high-quality seedlings. From an initial nursery, the cooperative now has 10 standardized nurseries, making a significant contribution to the preservation and development of indigenous ginseng varieties.

Mr. Pham Trung Ngoc, Chairman of the Lai Chau Mountain Ginseng Conservation and Development Cooperative (Ta Leng commune, Lai Chau province), said, "We are conserving precious genetic resources for the Forest Science Institute (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) while developing a system of standardized nurseries to supply high-quality seedlings to the market."

Each year, the cooperative supplies around 20,000 purebred ginseng plants. According to Mr. Ngoc, ginseng is a specialized crop that cannot be developed with a short-term mindset. Ginseng takes 5–10 years of cultivation before harvesting. Even seedlings require at least five years to ensure genetic purity.

The production process is strictly controlled from the selection of parent plants and seed treatment to soil conditions, humidity, and nutrition. "Parent plants must be at least five years old to produce quality seeds. Seeds must achieve a germination rate of 80–90% to ensure effectiveness," Mr. Ngoc emphasized.

The cooperative currently maintains more than 30,000 ginseng plants aged 1-3 years. 3-year-old plants are grown under natural forest canopies, which both help protect the ecosystem and enhance the concentration of active compounds in the ginseng. However, this stage requires high technique and close monitoring. Plants must be carefully covered, soil replenished, and organic fertilizers applied periodically to ensure healthy growth.

Beyond production, the cooperative also directly transfers techniques to growers. "We provide guidance and supervision until the plants achieve a survival rate of 90–100% before finalizing payments. That is how we maintain our credibility," Mr. Ngoc said.

Addressing bottlenecks

Despite having a solid quality foundation, Lai Chau ginseng has yet to establish a market position commensurate with its potential. According to Mr. Pham Trung Ngoc, the biggest bottleneck at present is product output. "We have participated in many trade fairs, OCOP programs, and brand promotion activities, but linkages with enterprises for product consumption remain limited," he noted.

This reality makes it difficult for the product to access large markets and directly affects the ability to expand production. Meanwhile, competition from low-priced, untraceable imported ginseng is becoming increasingly intense.

Access to capital is also a major barrier. Establishing a nursery of around 1,000 m² requires an investment of VND 2–3 billion, while the production cycle lasts 5–7 years. "Bank interest rates are high, and there is still no clear support mechanism, making it very difficult to expand operations," the cooperative owner shared.

Beyond harvesting fresh roots, elevating the value of Lai Chau ginseng requires developing deep processing. However, this area still faces significant limitations. "There has yet to be in-depth research to produce products such as pharmaceuticals or functional foods. If households attempt to process products on their own, efficiency remains low," Mr. Ngoc said.

In addition, protecting the brand and genuine producers remains a concern. Despite certification and traceability systems, the market still contains many low-quality products, affecting consumer confidence.

From this reality, elevating Lai Chau ginseng is not only the aspiration of producers but also an inevitable requirement for sustainable development. This need requires synchronous action across policy, science and technology, and consumption markets. "We hope for clear direction in improving quality, promoting the brand, and supporting consumption so that farmers feel secure in production," Mr. Ngoc expressed.

A pathway out of poverty

Following the merger of Giang Ma, Ho Thau, and Ta Leng communes, the new Ta Leng commune now has a forest area of more than 7,900 hectares, with a coverage rate of 60.7%. The commune also has nearly 100 hectares of high-altitude terrain above 1,000 meters, providing an ideal foundation for cultivating various medicinal plants, notably ginseng.

The total area of Lai Chau ginseng cultivation in the commune has expanded to nearly 15 hectares, distributed across villages such as Si Thau Chai, Lao Chai, and Pho Ho Thau. Two enterprises and one cooperative have invested in the area, while the remaining area is cultivated by groups of local households using indigenous ginseng varieties.

In addition to fresh roots, production facilities have invested in workshops to promote deep processing, producing a range of products such as ginseng tea, ginseng soaked in honey, and ginseng liquor. Product values range from VND 300,000 to VND 800,000 depending on content and processing methods. At the same time, two ginseng seed production facilities have been granted codes, helping lay the foundation for a closed-loop chain, from seeds and cultivation methods to processing and consumption.

Speaking with VAN News, Mr. Hoang Van Chinh, Secretary of the Ta Leng Commune Party Committee, said that the development of ginseng in the province in general, and in Ta Leng in particular, has created jobs for local residents. With ginseng gardens established locally, residents can secure stable employment with appropriate wages provided by ginseng companies and enterprises.

The leader of Ta Leng commune also noted that the locality has coordinated with the Lai Chau Department of Agriculture and Environment to review and identify suitable land funds to facilitate enterprise investment in ginseng deep-processing facilities. At the same time, we will fully support legal procedures and related benefits to enable businesses to commence operations promptly.

With enterprises investing in the commune, supporting infrastructure and roads have been upgraded, improving mobility for residents. Instead of relying solely on upland fields, many households now have additional income sources, contributing to poverty reduction. Currently, the commune's poverty rate stands at around 10%, with a target of below 2% by 2030, in line with the Resolution of the Lai Chau Provincial Party Congress and local targets. Ginseng growing has been identified as a key pathway to achieving these economic development goals.

Under Ta Leng's Resolution, by 2030, the commune aims to establish a concentrated ginseng growing area of approximately 50 hectares; newly plant at least 5 hectares; ensure that 100% of concentrated cultivation areas managed by enterprises and cooperatives are granted planting area codes and geographical indications; build one processing facility; and develop additional OCOP-certified products from ginseng. In 2026 alone, Ta Leng targets an additional 9 hectares of ginseng cultivation.

$1 = VND 26,379 - Source: Vietcombank