INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (IU) – VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HO CHI MINH CITY STRENGTHENS COLLABORATION WITH KON TUM PROVINCE IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION, AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
In mid-May, International University (IU) participated in the scientific seminar titled “New Research on Ngọc Linh Ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. Var. vietnamensis) – Achievements and Applications” held in Kon Tum Province (After 1 July, 2025, Kon Tum has been part of Quang Ngai Province).
At the seminar, the IU delegation presented a paper titled “Methods for Preserving and Processing Ngọc Linh Ginseng to Optimize Active Ingredient Content and Quality” delivered by Dr. Trần Thị Ngọc Diệp.
Dr. Trần Thị Ngọc Diệp and Ms. Đinh Yến Nhi co-presented their research paper.
After the seminar, International University (IU), directed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đinh Đức Anh Vũ – Vice President at IU, conducted a working session with the leaders of the Department of Science and Technology of Kon Tum Province.
The meeting reviewed the five-year implementation period (2019-2024) of the cooperation program between the Kon Tum Provincial People’s Committee and IU in scientific research, technology transformation, and human resource training. Both sides also discussed directions for implementing Resolution 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, issued by the Political Bureau, focusing on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. The session succeeded, further strengthening the strategic cooperative relationship between IU and Kon Tum Province.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đinh Đức Anh Vũ outlined potentialareas for collaboration between IU and Kon Tum province.
IU delegation took photos with the Department of Science and Technology of Kon Tum Province.
Scientists and provincial leaders posed for a group photo at the scientific seminar titled “New Research on Ngọc Linh Ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. Var. vietnamensis) – Achievements and Applications.”
| Ngọc Linh Ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. var. vietnamensis) is a rare and endemic species of ginseng of the Araliaceae family, first discovered in 1975 on Ngọc Linh Mountain, Vietnam. Also known as K5 ginseng or Vietnamese ginseng, it is the 20th species identified in the Panax genus and is unique in its flowers, fruits, and seeds. According to published documents, Ngọc Linh ginseng is currently found only in the Ngọc Linh mountain range, spanning Quảng Nam and Kon Tum provinces, within coordinates approximately from 14°55′ to 15°07′ North latitude and from 107°51′ to 108°05′ East longitude (Nguyễn Thượng Dong, 2007). Ngọc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis) was on the verge of extinction in the 1990s. However, with the concerted efforts of the Kon Tum Provincial Party Committee, the People’s Committee, the Ministry of Health’s Institute of Medicinal Materials, and local authorities and forestry enterprises, significant progress has been made in its conservation and development. This collaborative approach has led to the recovery of the species and its sustainable cultivation.
In May 2022, the Kon Tum Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution No. 14-NQ/TU, outlining a comprehensive strategy for the investment, development, and processing of medicinal plants in the province through 2025, with a vision toward 2030. The resolution sets ambitious goals, including the establishment of Kon Tum as a national medicinal herb hub and a major center for medicinal plant production by 2025. The demand for Ngọc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis) is increasing, particularly among high-income consumers who seek fresh roots to visually assess their age and verify their origin, ensuring they are from the GI-protected Kon Tum region. This preference aims to distinguish authentic Ngọc Linh ginseng from other varieties such as Panax notoginseng or Chinese ginseng. However, the preservation of fresh ginseng remains underexplored, raising concerns about quality and storage methods post-purchase. Ginseng contains bioactive compounds known as ginsenosides, which provide various health benefits, including anti-cancer properties, immune system enhancement, anti-inflammatory effects, allergy relief, blood pressure regulation, stress reduction, blood sugar control, and metabolic support (Christensen, 2009; Tien et al., 2021). In response to this issue, a research team from IU, VNU Ho Chi Minh City, conducted a project from 2020-2023 to develop preservation methods for fresh Ngọc Linh ginseng roots. Under the direction of the Kon Tum Department of Science and Technology, the project aims to enhance the economic value of this “national treasure,” support producers, and contribute to the sustainable development of Kon Tum’s medicinal herb sector. |