The teacher who nurtures Cuc Phuong ginseng

Heat-tolerant ginseng plant species

The buffer zone of Cuc Phuong National Park preserves a wide range of valuable plant species, many of which have long been used by local communities based on traditional knowledge. However, the majority of these species have not yet been clearly identified or evaluated from a scientific perspective.

Among them is a plant known by various local names such as scabies-healing plant, nourishing plant, or human-shaped ginseng. These names reflect their folk medicinal uses, but lack a clearly established scientific classification.

From this reality, Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuan, a local chemistry teacher, began conducting research on scientific topics he and his students explored while studying the flora of Cuc Phuong.

During our work guiding students, we noticed that this plant is frequently mentioned in local contexts, but there has been no clear documentation of its chemical composition or value. Therefore, we began to explore it from a chemical perspective, Mr. Tuan said.

According to Mr. Tuan, the research on this plant does not stop at identifying a few isolated compounds but aims to fully characterize its medicinal properties. Initial analysis results show that Cuc Phuong ginseng contains saponins (a characteristic active compound commonly found in many ginseng species), along with amino acids and several trace minerals such as calcium.

The most notable effect of Cuc Phuong ginseng is its support in treating colon-related conditions. In addition, Cuc Phuong ginseng is also believed to help improve insomnia, high blood lipids, and diabetes, and contains various groups of bioactive compounds that are beneficial to human health.

Among 21 ginseng species, Cuc Phuong ginseng is the only one known for its heat tolerance and ability to grow in diverse soil conditions. This species also accumulates high nutritional value during the cold season and can be harvested after at least one year of cultivation. Notably, all parts of the plant like flowers, leaves, stems, and roots can be processed into useful products.

From this point, a plant that previously existed only in folk knowledge began to be approached from a scientific perspective, laying the foundation for further research.

Restoring valuable medicinal plant variety

Identifying its initial value is only the first step. The more difficult challenge, according to Mr. Tuan, is how to bring this species out of the forest while preserving its biological characteristics.

In the early stage, he began experimental propagation. However, the domestication of forest plants has never been easy. In the very first year, nearly the entire cultivation area failed. While young plants survived initially, by the third or fourth month wind damage affected the root collar, allowing fungi and bacteria to invade, leading to mass mortality and the loss of an entire hectare. Local residents jokingly said, “Plant ten, lose seven, keep three.”

“At that time, we determined that we had to start over and find the correct original plant source in the forest,” Mr. Tuan shared.

The search for the original plants was carried out with the support of local residents. Since the plant does not grow in concentrated areas and is only easily identifiable at certain times, the process took many months.

With the limited planting material, Mr. Tuan proceeded to propagate and transplant the species into the buffer zone. This process was closely monitored to assess its adaptability. Growth characteristics, morphology, and development cycles were recorded and compared with those of plants in their natural forest environment.

According to Mr. Tuan, plants cultivated in the buffer zone essentially retained their growth characteristics, with no major differences compared to those in the forest. Some variations in leaf thickness and color were observed, mainly due to differences in light and nutrient conditions.

In parallel, plant samples were continuously sent for testing to evaluate the stability of bioactive compounds. Due to difficulties in collecting samples from the forest, most analyses were conducted on transplanted specimens.

Organizing production and enhancing value

As the transplantation process gradually stabilized, the next challenge was no longer whether the plant could be cultivated, but how to scale it up for production. From this reality, Mr. Tuan and several local households established a cooperative to organize production through linkages.

Households participating in the cooperative receive seedlings, technical guidance, and commitments to purchase products. For households wishing to grow the plant for personal use, seeds are supplied along with detailed cultivation protocols. Mr. Tuan emphasized that securing a proactive seed source is key: “Once we have seedlings, people no longer need to go into the forest to collect them. If they cannot sell all their produce, the cooperative will buy it back.”

Alongside this, the production process is strictly controlled through detailed records of planting, cultivation, and harvesting, as well as periodic reporting, to ensure traceability and consistent product quality. Beyond production goals, Mr. Tuan said the cooperative model also aims to preserve the plant at its source.

Previously, the search for planting material depended on forest harvesting, which was time-consuming and unstable. Now, with control over both seed sources and cultivation processes, local people can take a more proactive approach, significantly reducing the need for wild harvesting.

In addition to raw material production, the cooperative has gradually invested in machinery, including freeze-drying systems, slicing machines, roasting machines, and packaging equipment, to improve product quality and extend shelf life. Packaging design and branding have also been emphasized to build an image of medicinal products with clear origins that is suitable for the market.

To date, the Cuc Phuong ginseng cooperative has had two products recognized under the OCOP 3-star program, including Tien Vuong ginseng powder.

Ms. Quách Thị Thái, a resident of Cuc Phuong commune, said that every stage is carried out following the cooperative’s guidance. “We just hope the ginseng has a good harvest so that we can earn a monthly income. Having stable jobs also makes local people feel more secure,” she shared. According to her, in the past, work was irregular, and income depended on seasonal farming, whereas now production activities are maintained in cycles, helping workers achieve a more stable source of income.

According to Mr. Tuan, the development of ginseng cultivation in buffer zones not only creates livelihoods but also helps reduce pressure on forest resource exploitation. “In the past, people had to go into the forest to find plants, but now they can grow them at home. This helps limit natural harvesting,” he said.

This orientation aligns with the requirements of environmentally sustainable agricultural development, in which local livelihoods are regarded as a key factor.

Cuc Phuong ginseng cultivation model demonstrates a notable approach to medicinal plant development: starting from research, mastering seed sources, and linking production with the livelihoods of local communities. When local people are able to generate income within buffer zones, forest protection is no longer merely an administrative requirement but becomes a natural choice driven by direct benefits. This is also an important factor in the development of ecological agriculture, where economic value and environmental value are inseparable.