Vietnamese dried ginger is renowned for its distinctive aroma and high essential oil content. Discover Vietnam’s major ginger-growing regions and why this product is exported worldwide.
1. Vietnamese Dried Ginger – Rich Flavor from Nature
Vietnamese dried ginger has long been one of the most beloved agricultural products globally, thanks to its natural aroma, strong spiciness, and high essential oil content.
From fresh ginger cultivated in various climates, Vietnamese farmers create golden, fragrant dried ginger slices used as spices, herbal ingredients, and food processing materials.
Beyond its culinary value, Vietnamese dried ginger symbolizes the sophistication of local agriculture – a blend of favorable natural conditions and the skilled hands of farmers nationwide.
2. Major Ginger-Growing Regions in Vietnam
Vietnam currently has four major ginger-producing regions: the Northwest, Central Highlands, Ky Son, and the Mekong Delta (especially Kien Giang). Each region has unique climate, soil, and cultivation practices, contributing to the diversity in ginger varieties and quality.
2.1. Northwest Ginger – Rich Aroma of the Mountains
In the Northwest, locals mainly grow the native yellow-flesh ginger variety, famous for its strong aroma and pungent taste. Cultivated by ethnic minority communities on upland fields, the yield is modest, and the rhizomes are generally small. Ginger here is typically harvested and dried during autumn and winter, producing bright golden slices with a mild aroma, widely sold domestically and exported to Indonesia and Bangladesh.
2.2. Ky Son Ginger – High Essential Oil, Distinctive Spiciness
Ky Son (Nghe An province) is renowned for its yellow-flesh ginger variety. Like the Northwest, this mountainous area produces a lower yield but exceptional ginger quality. Ky Son dried ginger is lightly dried or sun-dried, resulting in a strongly aromatic, spicy product used in ginger powder, tea, and spice processing.
2.3. Central Highlands Ginger – Vietnam’s Leading Export Region
The Central Highlands is Vietnam’s largest and highest-quality ginger-producing region, covering Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, Dak Nong, and Kon Tum provinces. Thanks to its temperate climate, fertile red basalt soil, and advanced farming techniques, yields can reach up to 120 tons per hectare.
Central Highlands ginger features large rhizomes, deep yellow flesh, and strong fragrance, making it popular in demanding markets such as the U.S., Japan, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe. Unlike other regions, ginger here is sun-dried naturally from January to May, preserving its full flavor and essential oils.
Therefore, Central Highlands dried ginger is regarded as a flagship export, representing Vietnamese ginger quality worldwide.
2.4. Mekong Delta Ginger (Kien Giang) – Mild Aroma, Beautiful Golden Color
The Mekong Delta, especially Kien Giang and U Minh, is another major ginger-growing region with an average yield of 60–70 tons per hectare. U Minh ginger has a beautiful yellow color and mild aroma, with smaller rhizomes than those from the Central Highlands, mainly sold domestically or exported to Cambodia. With a warm year-round climate, this region supplies fresh and dried ginger continuously, playing a key role in Vietnam’s agricultural supply chain.
3. Why Is Vietnamese Dried Ginger Loved Worldwide?
Vietnamese dried ginger stands out globally due to its ecological diversity and superior natural quality. Several factors make this product highly valued in international markets:
- High essential oil content and strong spiciness, suitable for food, herbal, and beverage processing.
- Natural sun-drying preserves the aroma and signature golden color of ginger.
- Year-round stable supply from multiple growing regions.
- Tariff advantages from Vietnam’s participation in free trade agreements (FTAs) make market access easier.
As a result, Vietnamese dried ginger is increasingly present in the U.S., Australia, Japan, Korea, the Middle East, and Europe.
4. DATO – A Trusted Exporter of Vietnamese Dried Ginger
Among exporters, DATO stands out as a pioneer in producing, processing, and exporting Vietnamese ginger.Currently, DATO offers a wide range of ginger products including fresh, frozen, dried, and powdered ginger, as well as value-added items like instant ginger tea and DATO honey ginger syrup — all made from premium Central Highlands ginger.
DATO’s dried ginger is naturally sun-dried to retain its essential oils and authentic flavor, mainly harvested from January to May each year. Thanks to its consistent quality, DATO’s products are now available in markets such as the U.S., Australia, Korea, and the Middle East — elevating the global reputation of Vietnamese dried ginger.
5. Conclusion
Vietnamese dried ginger is not only a familiar spice but also a symbol of national agricultural pride. From fertile lands like the Central Highlands and Northwest to the Mekong Delta, Vietnamese dried ginger continues to affirm its global export position — thanks to its quality, flavor, and the hardworking spirit of Vietnamese farmers.
