For generations, the farmers of Nghia Hung commune in Nghệ An province knew the rhythm of hard work, but not the relief of security. They poured their labor into traditional crops like sugarcane and custard apples, living under the constant anxiety of an unpredictable market. A good harvest could be wiped out by plummeting prices, making it impossible to plan for the future, pay off debts, or dream of a better life for their children. They were caught in a draining cycle of intense effort for uncertain returns, a reality that tethered their ambitions to the soil. But the seeds of change were about to be sown by one person's journey and a bold idea.
1. A Spark of Hope from Afar
The catalyst for transformation was Mrs. Lê Thị Dần. During a trip to the former Bắc Giang province, she encountered the Nui Danh ginseng cultivation model. She saw more than just a plant; she recognized a powerful solution to the very challenges that held her community captive. Observing its high economic value and, most importantly, the stable demand for its products, Mrs. Dần realized this medicinal herb could offer the security her community so desperately lacked.
Filled with a powerful conviction, she returned home and, with her husband, made a courageous decision to go all-in on this new opportunity. Their commitment was immense, a high-stakes gamble backed by significant financial risk and painstaking labor.
- The Loan: They borrowed 350 million VND to purchase tens of thousands of Nui Danh ginseng seedlings.
- The Land Prep: They meticulously improved over 6 sào (a Vietnamese unit of area) of land, mixing in thousands of bags of rice husks and fertilizer to create the loose, fertile soil the ginseng needed to thrive.
- The Technology: They invested in modern farming techniques, covering the soil with nylon to suppress weeds and installing a sophisticated automatic irrigation system.
- The Total Cost: The entire initial investment for their new venture exceeded 500 million VND.
This high-stakes gamble, backed by meticulous effort, soon began to yield extraordinary results.
2. Reaping the Rewards: From Flowers to Fortune
The Nui Danh ginseng plants began producing valuable flowers in their second year. This cultivation cycle provides a sustained financial benefit, offering an annual income from the flowers for several years before the final, more lucrative root harvest after five to seven years. The main flower harvest season, running from late August to mid-October, is now a time of excitement and prosperity for the growers.
The financial return from Nui Danh ginseng dwarfed the income from traditional crops, creating a powerful new economic engine for the family and their neighbors.
Product Component | Market Price (per kg) |
Dried Ginseng Flowers | 600,000 - 700,000 VND |
Ginseng Roots (Củ) | 1,500,000 VND |
From their 6 sào farm, Mrs. Dần's family now earns an estimated 350-400 million VND each season—an income many times higher than they could have ever achieved with sugarcane. The ginseng's high value is rooted in its potent medicinal properties. It is rich in Saponin, an active compound known to enhance vitality, boost the immune system, prevent aging, and offer relief for coughs by loosening phlegm. Furthermore, it is highly sought after for its ability to improve sleep quality, making it a prized ingredient in traditional wellness. Mrs. Dần’s success was not a private victory; it was a beacon of hope that inspired her entire community.
3. A Community Transformed
Seeing the tangible success and feeling the new sense of excitement (phấn khởi), other farmers began to follow her lead. Mr. Lê Viết Hiển, for example, converted his 7 sào of land from unstable traditional crops to Nui Danh ginseng. He took the model a step further by investing 30 million VND in a drying machine. This individual investment in quality control was a crucial first step, demonstrating a new potential that the local government was quick to recognize and build upon. The technology allowed him to perfect his dried ginseng flowers, securing a contract with a company that agreed to purchase his entire output and eliminating all market uncertainty.
Under the guidance of Vice Chairman Phạm Văn Thông, the commune began supporting residents in processing the raw ginseng into higher-value goods. This initiative led to the creation of "trà nụ sâm núi Dành" (Nui Danh ginseng bud tea). This strategic move was a game-changer. The tea achieved OCOP 3-star certification, a prestigious designation for high-quality local products, validating its quality and opening doors to larger, more lucrative markets.
The introduction of Nui Danh ginseng did more than just boost incomes; it fundamentally changed the community's entire approach to agriculture, sparking a shift in mindset.
- From subsistence to strategy: Farmers moved from planting traditional crops for survival to cultivating a high-value asset with a long-term business plan.
- From manual methods to modern technology: The community embraced tools like drying machines and automatic irrigation to improve efficiency, guarantee quality, and increase yields.
- From selling raw materials to owning the brand: They began capturing significantly more profit by processing, branding (with OCOP-certified tea), and marketing their own finished products.
This journey, from a single farmer's risk to a community-wide success, fundamentally reshaped the village's identity and its economic destiny.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for a Brighter Future
In just a few short years, Nui Danh ginseng transformed Nghia Hung. It brought not just wealth, but a new sense of purpose, confidence, and collaborative spirit. The community's story is a powerful testament to how vision, courage, and cooperation can turn a struggling village into a thriving one. It stands as a blueprint for other communities, proving that a single, well-researched idea, when embraced by many, has the power to rewrite a region’s future, turning a cycle of uncertainty into a legacy of prosperity.
Read "The Ginseng That Rewrote a Village's Future: The Story of Nghia Hung" on Viet Business Forum
