VietNamNet Bridge - In the past, Lan kim tuyen as called by Vietnamese, or Anoechilus roxburglihayata, was considered a species of valueless weed. But now, it sells for hundreds of million of dong per kilogram. 


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Lan kim tuyen sells for hundreds of million of dong per kilogram



Local people in the communes of Binh Lieu district in Quang Ninh province put off their working plans, and rush to go to forests looking for lan kim tuyen. Chinese businesses are collecting very high prices.

To gather lan kim tuyen, they go far into the old forests where there are many big trees, and work from early dawn to dusk. However, this job is more attractive as it can bring higher income than fieldworks.

Ten years ago, Chinese once flocked to the land to collect lan kim tuyen. However, at that moment, they only paid VND12-15 million per kilogram. Now they accept to pay VND23-25 million, while dry lan kim tuyen is sold for hundreds of million of dong.

Japanese also came to Vietnam to collect lan kim tuyen. At that time, a dry kilogram was priced at over VND100 million in Japan and several kilograms could be enough to buy a land plot in Hanoi.

“We don’t know what Chinese use lan kim tuyen for. But I think this could be used as a valuable medicine, because they collect lan kim tuyen at very high prices,” said a Vietnamese merchant, who collects lan kim tuyen from locals to sell to Chinese businessmen, on Dan Viet.

Chinese businessmen also have sought lan kim tuyen in Huong Khe district of Ha Tinh province in 2012.

According to VTC News, Japanese also came to Vietnam to collect lan kim tuyen. At that time, a dry kilogram was priced at over VND100 million in Japan and several kilograms could be enough to buy a land plot in Hanoi.

Anoechilus roxburglihayata grows singly or in scattered clumps in the uplands of Vietnam and some countries such as Thailand, Laos, China, Nepal and India.

In Vietnam, it is most commonly seen in the Central Highlands, in the old wet forests with weak light. 

Vietnamese traditional medicine reports that this is a precious herb which supports the treatment of many diseases such as diabetes, kidney inflammation, tuberculosis, high blood pressure. It also helps improve memory and prevent tumors. Chinese use lan kim tuyet for cancer treatment and other medicinal value.

However, the uses of lan kim tuyen have been exaggerated. It is believed to cure the dangerous diseases which are incurable by modern medicine. Nguyen Hoang Tuan from the Hanoi University of Pharmacy said though lan kim tuyen can help treat some kinds of diseases, there is no scientific evidence showing that it is a ‘panacea’ which  cures cancer and HIV.


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M. Ha