According to Bao Binh Phuoc, farmer Nguyen Van Ngoc from Phu Trung commune, Phu Rieng district, has been reaping the financial benefits of cultivating sương sâm (a type of vine used in traditional medicine and cuisine) .
Ngoc was inspired by his travels to the Mekong Delta, where he observed many households successfully growing sương sâm and earning substantial profits. In 2023, he brought back some seedlings and experimented with planting them on his family’s 1,500 square meter plot.
Initially, he constructed trellises using bamboo, wire, and thread. Later, he invested in more permanent iron stakes, about 4 meters high, at a cost of approximately 20 million VND per 1,000 square meters.
Profitable Sương Sâm Cultivation. Image: Bao Binh Phuoc.
Ngoc plants at a density of 3,500 vines per 1,000 square meters, spacing each vine 30 cm apart and each row 80 cm apart, with alleys between the rows measuring 1-1.2 meters.
He emphasizes the importance of not planting too densely to ensure that the lower leaves receive adequate sunlight. With proper care, each vine can be harvested for several years.
While sương sâm is easy to grow, Ngoc notes that understanding its growth habits and providing appropriate care are crucial for achieving stable leaf yields.
After five months of cultivation, Ngoc’s family harvested 500 kg of leaves, which they sold to processors of thạch sương sâm (a traditional jelly-like dessert) in various provinces and cities.
Leaves are sold at a price range of 55,000-60,000 VND per kg, and Ngoc harvests his leaves every 20 days. With his current area, he expects an annual yield of about 3 tons of leaves, resulting in a profit of approximately 130 million VND after expenses.
During the rainy season, when water is abundant, the vines thrive and produce a larger leaf yield. In contrast, during the dry season, sương sâm leaves are in high demand and often sell out, leading to higher prices.
Sương Sâm Leaves Are Always in Demand.
Traders eagerly seek out sương sâm leaves, and Ngoc shares that all he needs to do is have leaves available for sale. He adds, “Compared to other crops that take 3-6 years to mature, sương sâm provides a quick return on investment.”
“If the proper procedures are followed, a hectare could yield more than 30 tons of leaves per year,” he estimates.
Another successful sương sâm cultivator is Mr. Nguyen Quang Dinh from Quang Nam, dubbed the “king” of sương sâm leaves by Dan Tri.
“With proper care, it’s possible to harvest after just 5-6 months. The yield increases as the vines mature. It’s a very easy plant to grow. During its development, ensure it receives enough water and has a sturdy trellis,” advises Dinh.
Dinh’s family currently cultivates sương sâm on over 3,000 square meters of land. They plan to expand their cultivation area by an additional 2,000 square meters to meet the demand for sương sâm leaves in the southern region.
Sương Sâm Jelly is a Popular Treat, Especially During Hot Weather.
According to Dinh, this crop has never experienced a lack of demand in the ten years he has been growing it. Customers come directly to his garden to purchase the product, eliminating the need for him to travel to distant locations to sell it.
The leaves fetch a price of 100,000-150,000 VND per kg. “If the leaves are of good quality, they can be harvested every 25 days. From a 500 square meter garden, I typically yield 200-300 kg of leaves. With my current area, I can produce about 20 tons of sương sâm leaves annually, earning me roughly 2 billion VND,” Dinh shares.
Sương Sâm is Not a Difficult Crop to Grow
According to Dan Toc va Phat Trien, while sương sâm is generally easy to grow, improper cultivation methods can result in low yields or even the death of the plant.
Sương sâm thrives in various soil types, preferring well-drained, elevated land with a good amount of humus and 20-30% shade. While it requires ample water, it cannot tolerate waterlogging, which can lead to root rot and other issues. To prevent this, it’s crucial to plant on raised beds or ridges in low-lying areas.
Propagation can be done through seeds or cuttings. Select healthy, vigorous plants (identified by shiny, large leaves) and separate them for planting. Plant the seedlings in rows, ensuring the soil is moist, and water them gently. Water the vines twice a day.
