Quảng Trị advances the medicinal herb economy by leveraging forest resources

The People’s Committee of Quảng Trị province says the province’s forest cover rate currently stands at 61.01%, a level higher than many localities in the region. The natural conditions are being leveraged to develop medicinal plants under the forest canopy, using land efficiently while maintaining ecological balance.

Expanding medicinal herb zones under forest cover

In recent years, Quảng Trị has planned and formed concentrated medicinal herb planting zones, gradually turning medicinal plants into a distinctive agricultural product.

To date, the province has cultivated more than 500 hectares of medicinal herbs, including flagship species with high productivity and economic value. Reported annual outputs include: cà gai leo at about 440 tons, chè vằng at around 395 tons, an xoa at 510 tons, and nghệ (ginger) at nearly 594 tons per year. These herbs are widely used in medicine and dietary supplements, with stable market demand.

Beyond common medicinal plants, models of medicinal herb cultivation under forest canopies are also showing results. In the Dakrong area, growing sa nhan tím has generated substantial income for local residents. In Hướng Hóa, developing Ngọc Linh ginseng—described as a precious medicinal herb—has opened high-value economic pathways, while models of red reishi mushrooms are being expanded.

Officials note that these cultivation models not only bring income but also support forest preservation. Residents participating in medicinal herb cultivation under the forest canopy are said to become more closely connected to the forest, strengthening awareness of forest protection and sustainable development.

Processing investment to raise value

Alongside building raw material areas, Quảng Trị is investing in processing to increase product value. The province currently has more than 90 small- to medium-sized medicinal herb processing facilities distributed across multiple localities.

The province also reports that the first GMP-standard medicinal herb processing plant has begun operation. The facility has a capacity of 2–5 tons of fresh material per day and uses vacuum extraction and concentration technology.

With technological applications, Quảng Trị’s medicinal herb products are shifting from crude forms to value-added products such as instant tea and herbal concentrates. These products are described as offering higher quality, improved storage, convenient use, and higher economic value.

Investing in processing is also intended to secure downstream demand for raw materials, strengthening the link between production and consumption as a basis for sustainable development of the medicinal herb sector.

Planned expansion and standards for cultivation

In the near future, Quảng Trị aims to expand cultivated areas. The province plans to develop an additional 200 hectares of concentrated planting areas in ethnic minority regions and expand 200 hectares of medicinal herbs under forest canopies.

To implement this, Quảng Trị will mobilize tens of billions of VND from the state budget for programs developing planting areas, applying scientific and technical advances, and constructing processing facilities.

The province also proposes including high-value medicinal herbs such as Ngọc Linh ginseng, Ba kích, Đảng sâm, Khôi tía, sa nhan tim, and Sâm Bố Chính in its development list, citing significant economic potential if developed systematically and linked to markets.

One key direction is to build planting areas meeting GACP-WHO standards for good agricultural and harvesting practices. The province will also support forming cooperatives and value-chain linkages from cultivation and harvesting through processing and distribution.

Cooperatives and enterprises joining value chains

Bà Nguyễn Hồng Phương, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quảng Trị province, said that in developing medicinal herb growing areas and the sector’s product lines, more cooperatives and enterprises are participating in value chains—from seed production, cultivation, and harvesting to preliminary processing, processing, and product consumption.

“The participation of these economic organizations has helped improve production efficiency, ensure stable output, and gradually form sustainable value-linkage chains,” bà Phương emphasized.