A luxury imported product known as dong trung ha thao (cordyceps sinensis) has made its way into Vietnam’s market just in time for the Lunar New Year, fetching prices as high as 2.5 billion VND (approximately $102,000) per kilogram - and yet, it remains in high demand.

Dubbed a “natural elixir” surpassing ginseng in value, this high-end item, often referred to as “grass worms” due to its half-animal, half-plant nature, is highly sought after for gifting during Tet.

Cordyceps is naturally found in high-altitude regions (3,500–5,000 meters) of Tibet (China), Bhutan, Nepal, and India. The cordyceps currently flooding Vietnam’s market predominantly originates from Tibet and Bhutan, with thousands of wholesale and retail listings available online.

Despite its widespread availability, cordyceps is considered a luxury item, with prices ranging from 730 million VND to 2.5 billion VND per kilogram.

Chu Thi Thanh Xuan, an employee at a high-end food store in Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung District, revealed that the dried cordyceps, despite its exorbitant price, is a popular choice for gifting during Tet.

At Xuan’s store, cordyceps from Bhutan is sold in various grades:

Type B (61–69 pieces per 10 grams): 730 million VND/kg.
Type A (56–60 pieces per 10 grams): 850 million VND/kg; smaller sizes (31–35 pieces per 10 grams) fetch 1.4 billion VND/kg.
VIP Grade (18–30 pieces per 10 grams): 2–2.5 billion VND/kg.
While Type A and Type B are readily available, the VIP-grade cordyceps often sells out due to its rarity.

Last week, Xuan’s store received just over 1 kilogram of VIP-grade cordyceps, but it sold out within two days, with one customer purchasing nearly half a kilogram.

To make the high-cost product more accessible, the store packages it in smaller quantities (10 grams, 50 grams, 100 grams), making it easier for customers to buy as gifts.

“With Tet approaching, demand has surged significantly. On some days, I handle 40–50 orders,” Xuan shared.

Similarly, Trinh Thi Mai, who runs a store in Hanoi’s Tay Ho District, reported constant sellouts of VIP-grade cordyceps (20–25 pieces per 10 grams), priced between 2.2 and 2.55 billion VND/kg. These premium varieties are often chosen as gifts, and demand frequently exceeds supply.

For personal use, customers tend to opt for the more affordable Type A, Type B, or broken pieces of cordyceps, which are sold at lower prices. For example, broken cordyceps is sold for 6.5 million VND per 10-gram box and is often used to infuse honey or brew tea.

Xuan emphasized the importance of verifying the quality and certification of such an expensive product to avoid counterfeit cordyceps, which can be difficult to detect with the naked eye.

Cordyceps from Bhutan and Tibet each have distinct characteristics:

Bhutan Cordyceps: Yellowish-brown exterior, red-brown eyes, and a natural connection between the fungal stem and worm body.

The worm has three folds, and its dry texture resembles soybean or rice grain when chewed, releasing flavors reminiscent of chicken or dried squid.

Tibetan Cordyceps: Golden head, white powder below the head, yellow teeth, and golden eyes. When chewed, it is fragrant with a slightly sticky texture.

Experts have warned about sophisticated counterfeit cordyceps made from flour or insect powder mixed with glue and molded to closely resemble the real product.

Tam An