Prospects for Vietnamese Jiaogulan (Xa Den)

Thanh Hoa province has high-value medicinal plants such as morinda officinalis, polyscias fruticosa (ming aralia), amomum (cardamom-like spices), cinnamon, solanum procumbens (spiny nightshade), and gynostemma (jiaogulan). In addition, Jiaogulan (Xa Den) is also contributing to livelihood creation, providing a stable source of income for local communities.

The province currently has around 1,000 medicinal plant species, including approximately 20 valuable medicinal herbs. To meet the market’s demand for raw materials, many organizations and individuals have begun cultivating medicinal plants. They have also established concentrated growing areas of more than 2,172 hectares, with 15 species.

Jiaogulan (Xa Den) cultivation is mainly available in some mountainous communes such as Cam Thach, Dien Lu, and Thiet Ong. At the Northern Central Medicinal Research Center, growing Xa Den is just for research purposes. Xa Den is also materials for genetic resource conservation and medicinal development. It is a climbing herbaceous plant with many practical applications in medicine and daily life.

According to sector authorities, Xa Den is now being developed in concentrated cultivation areas following standardized technical procedures. It is also linked with stable purchasing contracts with enterprises. Economic efficiency has been highly positive. In well-managed intensive farming models, yields can reach 15–20 tons of fresh leaves per hectare per year.

Jiaogulan (Xa Den) from Vietnam

On average, one hectare of Jiaogulan (Xa Den) can generate around VND 120–150 million in annual income after costs. This depends on soil conditions, varieties, planting density, cultivation techniques, and purchasing arrangements.

Compared with traditional crops such as maize, cassava, or sugarcane, Xa Den provides 2–3 times higher economic value. The average selling price ranges from VND 12,000–18,000 per kg of fresh leaves and VND 180,000–220,000 per kg of dried leaves. Thanks to these effective models, many households have earned hundreds of millions of dong per year. This has helped improve livelihoods and support poverty reduction.

Mr. Duong Kim Thai is a farmer in Binh Son village, Cam Thach commune. In 2024, he expanded his Jiaogulan (Xa Den) cultivation by more than 2 sao around his garden. Compared to maize, acacia, and rice, this medicinal plant requires less care and no fertilizer application. It also offers higher economic returns.

He said Xa Den can propagate by seedling or stem cuttings and can give harvest from the second year. It typically produces an average of 2–3 harvest cycles per year. After the first harvest, his family plans to further expand cultivation to supply raw materials for Vietnamese enterprises.

With a development orientation based on local advantages, Cam Thach Commune has been promoting the long-term development of medicinal plants. This approach aims to make the most of the commune’s natural potential. In 2024, the Happy Life Medicinal Cooperative invested more than VND 500 million in building a production facility and modern processing line. It is also developing medicinal plant cultivation and processing toward commercial production standards.

Vietnamese Xa Den farm

According to Ms. Pham Thi Hau, director of the cooperative, about 3 hectares of Xa Den are currently grown across the commune. The cooperative’s Xa Den–Cà gai leo herbal tea product, branded Happy Life, has been recognized as a 3-star provincial OCOP product. It also records monthly sales of 3,000–4,000 boxes.

In 2026, the cooperative plans to expand its raw material area by an additional 6 hectares, focusing on Xanh and Binh Son villages in Cam Thach commune.

Founded in 2022, the Pu Luong Cooperative (Quy Luong commune) has become a bright spot in medicinal plant development, managing a total cultivation area of nearly 20 hectares. The cooperative focuses on a range of valuable medicinal plants such as bitter tea, solanum procumbens (ca gai leo), mugwort, and other herbs. Jiaogulan (Xa Den) alone is available across areas in Thiet Ong and Dien Lu communes, covering about 2 hectares.

Currently, in addition to providing technical guidance and supporting households in cultivation, care, and harvesting techniques for Xa Den, the cooperative also partners with enterprises to purchase raw materials directly at the farm gate. This ensures a stable supply of medicinal herbs for pharmaceutical companies both inside and outside the province. It also secures stable market outlets for local farmers.

The cooperative’s average annual output reaches around 30 tons, generating profits of over VND 100 million per year from this crop.

Vietnamese Xa Den factory

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien is the Head of the Economic Department of Cam Thach Commune People’s Committee. She said that processed Xa Den products such as traditional herbal medicine and tea bags have significantly higher economic value. After harvesting, farmers retain the plant’s roots for regeneration or use them for the next crop cycle.

In recent years, local authorities have actively coordinated with cooperatives to encourage farmers to maintain and expand Jiaogulan (Xa Den) cultivation. They have also promoted the cultivation of other valuable medicinal plants. Additionally, they have made efforts strengthen production linkages and ensure a stable supply of seedlings, organic fertilizers, and biological plant protection products.

In addition, product purchasing commitments have been established. These measures help create jobs, increase agricultural value, and contribute to the conservation of precious medicinal plant resources.

To ensure long-term sustainability of Jiaogulan (Xa Den), localities have been actively guiding cooperatives and producer groups. Also, they have strengthened promotion and trade activities, including exhibitions and product showcases. Production has reorganized with closer linkages to domestic and international pharmaceutical enterprises.

This helps develop raw material zones, standardize production processes, and connect cultivation with processing and consumption. The approach aims to create higher-value products and ensure long-term economic benefits for farmers.