A rare and newly discovered treasure
Morning mist rolls gently over the high mountains of Sin Ho, Lai Chau, Vietnam. In these quiet forests, local villagers have long tended to a root they call precious - Lai Chau Ginseng (Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus).
Growing at altitudes near 1,700 meters, in cool and humid conditions, Lai Chau Ginseng flourishes in its hidden mountain home. Despite being treasured locally for centuries, it remained largely unknown until scientists officially identified it as a new species in 1973. Later, in 2003, a unique subspecies in Lai Chau Ginseng was confirmed - making it one of the rarest and most recently discovered members of the ginseng family [1].
While some types of ginseng have been widely cultivated and heavily commercialized, Lai Chau Ginseng remains underdeveloped, with its full potential yet to be realized.
Recognizing this untapped potential, the Lai Chau provincial government in 2020 approved a development plan for medicinal plants - placing Lai Chau Ginseng among its top priorities. This commitment was further reinforced at the 2022 Lai Chau Ginseng Fair, where its value and potential were highlighted alongside other rare Vietnamese species, affirming its status as a true national treasure.
Distinct traits and compounds
Visually, Lai Chau Ginseng is distinct: it has branching tuberous roots with alternating stem nodes, round leaves with fine hairs, and kidney-shaped fruits that turn pink, orange, or yellow when ripe.
Research has shown that Lai Chau Ginseng contains up to 52 saponins - double the amount typically found in other ginseng [2]. Among these, the MR2 compound is particularly notable for its ability to inhibit cancer cell growth and slow cellular aging.
Skin benefits
Thanks to its exceptionally high saponin content - especially MR2 saponins - Lai Chau Ginseng offers a wide range of skin benefits:
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Helps reduce signs of aging by slowing skin cell damage
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Improves elasticity by stimulating collagen production
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Supports circulation in the skin, reducing puffiness and promoting a healthy glow
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Calms irritation and sensitivity, keeping skin balanced and resilient
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Protects against oxidative stress, keeping skin healthier over time
Challenges and the path forward
Although Lai Châu ginseng holds exceptional promise, it has faced real pressures in the past: overharvesting, unregulated trade, and fragmented production. The sustainable path forward is controlled cultivation—not wild collection—using farm systems that carefully replicate the plant’s native understory.
In the highlands of Sin Ho, Thai Minh Farm cultivates Lai Châu ginseng inside forest-like shade houses. Diffused-light canopies, cool mountain air, high humidity, and organic leaf-litter mulch recreate the conditions ginseng needs to grow slowly over years. Soil moisture and temperature are monitored, inputs are tightly controlled, and long-cycle husbandry standards guide each season. This approach protects the species while delivering consistent quality and potency.
Tonkina partners with Thai Minh Farm to support these practices and to bring responsibly grown ginseng into safe, effective skincare. Our role is to connect growers and researchers with expert formulators and GMP-certified manufacturing, and to reinvest in seedlings, farmer training, and cultivation capacity so this work endures.
This partnership helps safeguard a rare Vietnamese botanical and supports skilled local jobs, stable incomes, and long-term stewardship in the highlands.
From root to product
Building on this foundation, Tonkina translates Lai Châu ginseng into science-backed formulas for daily use:
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Youth 1700 Serum – concentrated with ginseng extract to target wrinkles, dullness, and loss of elasticity
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Youth 1700 Cream – combines ginseng with hydrating ingredients to lock in moisture, improve firmness, and restore radiance
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Youth 1700 Eye Cream – formulated with ginseng to reduce puffiness, soften fine lines, and calm the delicate eye area
All products are developed with expert formulators and produced in GMP-certified facilities, with rigorous safety and quality testing. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing Lai Chau Ginseng’s reputation as both safe and beneficial.
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[1] Nguyen, M.D. et al (2020). The ecology and saponins of Vietnamese ginseng Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus in North Vietnam. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology (AsianJAB).
[2] Le, T.N. et al (2022). A chromosome-scale genome assembly of Vietnamese ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.) provides insights into ginsenoside biosynthesis. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 814178.