Experience the legendary Ngoc Linh ginseng in Tra Tap land

The tour “Journey to discover the legend of Ngoc Linh ginseng”, originating from the annual Ngoc Linh ginseng festival, has now gone beyond the event framework, expanding into a complete tourism product, with the mission of promoting, connecting and inspiring sustainable development for the mountainous region west of Da Nang city.

Discover the land of ginseng

From early morning, when the group departed to the Ginseng Temple (in Tra Linh commune) - a place that preserves the spiritual values of the Xo Dang people, everyone was curious and excited. After the solemn ceremony, visitors continued to walk to the ginseng garden, crossing a slope that lasted nearly 20 minutes. The seemingly arduous path became a highlight, because throughout the journey there were the sounds of birds chirping, the sound of streams and the feeling of stepping into the "holy land" of the rarest medicinal herb in Vietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Hai - a tourist from Hanoi shared: "This is the first time I have seen with my own eyes fresh Ngoc Linh ginseng roots still covered with dirt, dug up right in front of me, and touched a symbol that I have only seen in the media before. The space here is truly sacred and pure, making me feel like I am being healed both physically and mentally."

In the afternoon, the group continued to move to Tak Po - a coordinate that is currently loved by young people on social networks. This place is considered one of the most beautiful cloud hunting paradises in Da Nang today, with layers of white clouds rolling over the mountain slopes every early morning. Tak Po is not only attractive for its natural beauty but also for its pristine, quiet nature, very suitable for the trend of resort tourism and finding identity.

When night falls, by the campfire and the gong and drum dance of the local people, visitors have the opportunity to interact and listen to stories about the ginseng worshiping ceremony, indigenous cultural life and the desire to develop tourism in the highlands. The next morning, in the quiet space, the sea of ​​clouds appears under the early morning sun, ending the journey with an emotional scene - a worthy reward for those who have crossed mountains and forests to find an authentic and different experience.

Mr. Blessam - a tourist from Dong Nai, who is familiar with trekking tours, this trip brought a different experience. "I have been to the forest many times, but this is the first time I have come into contact with a plant with such high medicinal value. What impressed me most was the lunch in the ginseng garden such as wild vegetables, ginseng leaves and fish wrapped in ginseng leaves, which was very new but rich, giving the feeling of absorbing all of nature into the body" - Mr. Blessam said.

[VIDEO] - The beauty of Ngoc Linh highlands:

Need a long term strategy

According to Mr. Pham Thanh Tung - an expert in designing agricultural tours and Farm Stay, the tour to explore the ginseng growing area in Tra Tap commune is a product with depth and the ability to expand if invested in the right direction and with regional connections.

“Actually, we do not organize ginseng tours to do quick-fix tourism, but to promote the value of ginseng. What the government needs to do now is not only to support infrastructure, but also to have preferential policies to make ginseng tours a strategic product of the midland and mountainous region of Da Nang. That will be the first step to create motivation for investment in accommodation facilities and food services, thereby completing the tourism value chain,” said Mr. Tung.

According to Mr. Tung, ginseng tours associated with ginseng gardens are a very new model in Vietnam but have great potential, because this type of tourism meets the modern tourism trend, which is to prioritize differences, real experiences, local values and healing factors.

However, for this product to develop sustainably, it requires the synchronous participation of many sectors, especially the coordination between the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department of Agriculture and Environment. At the same time, it is necessary to re-plan the growing area, control ginseng varieties, ensure the quality of medicinal herbs and build a tourism program with cultural and ecological depth.

[VIDEO] - Mr. Pham Thanh Tung, expert in designing agricultural tours and Farm Stay, shares about the potential of ginseng tours:

Mr. Ngo Tan Lac, Vice Chairman of Tra Tap Commune People's Committee, said that the commune government clearly identified that agricultural - pharmaceutical - ecological tourism will be a long-term direction. In the immediate future, the locality will focus on doing a good job of planning, especially in residential areas with tourism potential to create a harmonious ecological landscape. At the same time, work with ginseng growers, coordinate with related units to ensure sustainability and safety for tourists. Mobilize social resources, combine budget capital and people's self-awareness to develop model points of tourism combined with garden economy.

In the long term, the locality also hopes to have more support from the city in upgrading infrastructure and developing local human resources so that local people can do tourism, tell ginseng stories, and preserve their identity. At the same time, it is calling for businesses and strategic investors to develop long-term tourism projects.

“Tra Tap has great potential for tourism development. In addition to Ngoc Linh ginseng, the locality also has the beautiful cloud hunting spot Tak Po; the villages of Tak Pang, Tak Rang, Lang Loan, followed by Khi waterfall, Lai Xat waterfall... and the primeval forest ecosystem is very suitable for trekking and research activities.

But potential is only a necessary condition. The sufficient condition is to have a strategy, policies, investors and proper guidance from the city. Because this is also a journey to awaken potential, connect the community and spread local values, towards a sustainable development model, suitable for the specific conditions of a mountainous area but rich in identity like Tra Tap" - Mr. Lac said.