Visitors at a booth introducing products at the event. (Photo: VNA) Kon Tum (VNA) – An international culinary contest opened in Tu Mo Rong district in theCentral Highlands province of Kon Tum on April 25 set a record bymaking 120 dishes using bastard ginseng (codonopsis tangshen), a medicinal plant grown in the locality.
Hosted by the People’s Committee of Tu Mo Rong district, the two-dayevent is expected to contribute to promoting the cultivation of the medicinal plant, thus preserving cultural heritage, and creating more livelihoods for the local Xo Dangethnic minority community.
The competitionattracted 21 teams, including 11 squads from communes and cooperatives in the district and 10 others from Laos, China, Switzerland, and domesticculinary associations and clubs.
Vo Trung Manh, Chairman of the Tu Mo Rong district People's Committee, said thisis the second culinary competition featuring dishes made from medicinal ingredients thedistrict has hosted, adding that this year's event is upgraded to an international contest.
Through this event, the locality hopes to widely introduce medicinal plants plantedin Tu Mo Rong and their useful effects, he said.
The record affirmed the value, quality, and allure of the bastard ginsengof Tu Mo Rong compared to other ginsengs cultivated in other regions andlocalities, he noted.
Within the framework of the event, various other activities are being held,including a Gong festival, an art exhibition, an awarding ceremony for winningvideos and clips in a contest to introduce tourism and culture of Tu Mo Rong, and a livestreamcontest on the international culinary contest.
In recent times, the local authorities have encouraged residents to switch from less efficient crops to ginseng cultivation and calledon businesses to invest in this field. Currently, many businesses have engaged inpartnerships with residents and established factories to produce products from ginseng./.
