HÀ NỘI —Hanoians and foreign tourists have been learning how Ngọc Linh ginseng grows at an exhibition that opened on Sunday in Hà Nội.

Ngọc Linh Ginseng and Cultural Heritage of Kon Tum has been designed as a forest in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum where Ngọc Linh ginseng grows in the shadow of ancient trees.

Visitors are enjoying the experience of walking in the forest on Ngọc Linh Mountain, with the sound of birds singing and a stream running by.

The exhibition features 200 objects include installation art, photos, documents, objects and videos introducing the cultural heritage of the province.

It is divided into two parts featuring the cultural heritage of Kon Tum Province (costumes, musical instruments and tools) and Ngọc Linh ginseng (living environment, function and products).

The Xơ Đăng people also perform music and dance as well as the process of growing and exploiting ginseng.

Prime Minister attends the exhibition on Kon Tum’s cultural heritage and Ngọc Linh ginseng. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

Attending the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc highly appreciated the exhibition.

He stressed that Ngọc Linh ginseng was a national treasure and a way to develop local economy.

“The exhibition will help develop the province’s socio-economy and tourism,” he said. “It will also help to introduce and promote Ngọc Linh’s ginseng at home and abroad.”

“Ethnic groups in Kon Tum Province have preserved their gong culture, traditional performing arts, intangible and tangible heritage and traditional handicrafts.”

“In the near future, Kon Tum Province will be a leading destination for ecological and cultural tourism of the Central Highlands region.”

Prime Minister Phúc also praised the museum for holding the exhibition.

 “To promote Ngọc Linh ginseng to become a National Treasure, we need to organise more exhibitions like this. We also need strategy for communications, investment, start-ups, product development and human resources.”

Vietnamese ginseng was a rare medical root containing 52 healthy saponin compounds, according to Nguyễn Văn Hoà, chairman of the Kon Tum Provincial People’s Commitee.

“Ngọc Linh ginseng is appreciated as one of the best in the world, together with Korean ginseng and Changbai ginseng (China),” he said.

Products of Ngọc Linh ginseng on display. — VNS Photo Minh Thu

Scientists have proved ginseng has anti-stress and anti-ageing properties. It helps improve the immune system, liver function and lowers cholesterol. Besides, it also works well with antibiotics and diabetes medication.

“The exhibition presents the natural living conditions of ginseng, the history and research of this plant, and how it has helped local people eliminate poverty,” said Hoà.

Trần Hoàn, director of Sâm Ngọc Linh Kon Tum JSC, said Ngọc Linh ginseng was worth VNĐ120 million (US$6,000) per kg.

“However, many people buy fake Ngọc Linh ginseng, so the exhibition will give visitors a closer view of this precious medicine,” he said.

The exhibition will run until the end of this year at the National Museum of History, 216 Trần Quang Khải Street, Hà Nội. — VNS