Cooperation between ginseng producers of Korea and Vietnam is set to expand, under an agreement signed on April 21 between Hamyang-gun County in Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang Province) and Nam Trà My District in Vietnam's Quảng Nam Province (廣南省).

Located in the central highlands of Vietnam, Nam Trà My District is known for producing the country's local specialty Ngọc Linh ginseng, one of the world's best ginseng products.

Hamyang-gun County cooperates with the region in order to obtain knowhow in growing the Vietnamese Ngọc Linh products, as well as sharing its own techniques in cultivating Korean ginseng, known as Sanyangsam, produced in the region, too.



In attendance during the signing ceremony were 20 representatives from the two countries, including Mayor of Hamyang-gun County Lim Chang-ho and Chairman Ho Quang Buu of the People's Committee of Nam Trà My District.

Under the agreement, both regions will expand agricultural, tourist and welfare bilateral exchanges, as well as collaboration in regional ginseng production.

The agreement, in particular, will allow the partnered regions to share a wide range of information concerning techniques and environmental factors in cultivating the Ngọc Linh ginseng, not to mention other ginseng varieties like Korean ginseng and American ginseng, leading up to the 2020 World Ginseng Expo, slated to be hosted by Hamyang-gun County.

First discovered in the 1980s, Ngọc Linh ginseng is a rare species naturally growing in highlands rising about 1,500 meters above sea level. For the last two years the Vietnamese government has worked to find ways to protect the species and stabilize its production.

“Acquiring techniques in growing the Vietnamese ginseng, a species whose great quality has been recognized worldwide, will surely help develop the agricultural industry both in our county and the Nam Trà My District, as well,” said Mayor Lim. “Furthermore, this cooperation will help lay the groundwork for the upcoming 2020 World Ginseng Festival in Hamyang-gun County. We will strengthen the friendly cooperation with Vietnam to achieve the success of the global event.”

By Wi Tack-whan, Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writers
Photos: Hamyang-gun County
whan23@korea.kr