Panax vietnamensis (ginseng) is sold for VNĐ40 million (US$1,900) per kilo. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The Ngọc Linh Ginseng or Vietnamese Ginseng Museum opened in HCM City boasts over 400 varieties of the healing plant called a national treasure.

The 250 sq-m museum includes displays, pictures and a national map depicting the distribution of varieties of Ngọc Linh ginseng. The museum, located at 374 Nguyễn Sơn Street in Tân Phú District, includes a display of Ngọc Linh ginseng tubers that are worth billions of Vietnamese đồng.

Ngọc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis) can be found on Ngọc Linh Mountain at 2.598m on the border between Kon Tum and Quảng Nam provinces.

Nguyễn Tấn Việt, museum director, said that Ngọc Linh ginseng, which has medicinal properties, reflects the history and culture of Việt Nam.

"Having researched for years, I had a strong desire to build a museum so that others could appreciate and learn more about this precious ginseng species," Việt said.

The museum is open to the public every day except Tuesday. — VNS