Turmeric is a familiar spice for Vietnamese people and can be easily found in markets. In Vietnam, turmeric is grown in many places, from coastal plains to high mountains over 1500 meters, and even grows wild in rice fields and gardens.
According to data from the Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA), by the end of March 2025, Vietnam had exported 9,121 tons of ginger, turmeric, and other spices, with a total export value of 21 million USD, equivalent to over 545 billion VND. Export volume increased by 7.3%, while the export value increased strongly by 44% compared to the same period in 2024.
Turmeric originates from India. Although it is quite popular in Vietnam, it is a rare spice in the world, found only in a few tropical countries such as India, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Nigeria.
Vietnam is one of the countries with the largest area of turmeric in the world, with over 50,000 hectares (by 2021). Turmeric is mainly grown in the Central and Central Highlands provinces, such as Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, or Dak Nong. Vietnamese turmeric has good quality, with a curcumin content of 3-5%.
Vietnam is one of the countries with the largest area of turmeric.
For ginger, although this item is very familiar to Vietnamese people, it is highly valued abroad. Ky Son district (Nghe An province) is considered the “center” of ginger in Vietnam. Thanks to the suitable climate and soil conditions, Ky Son ginger has superior quality and a particularly rich flavor compared to ginger from other places.
According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia and India, the potential for ginger exports from Vietnam to these markets is very large. The price of this product is also competitive compared to goods from other countries. Especially, ginger jam is a highly favored product in cold countries. In addition to its fragrance and quality, Vietnamese ginger is cheaper than domestic products in other countries.
Previously, Vietnam exported 29,544 tons of ginger, turmeric, and other spices in 2024, with a turnover of 59.5 million USD. Compared to 2023, the volume decreased by 15.5%; however, the turnover increased by 20.7%. The impressive growth of ginger and turmeric exports not only shows the great potential of the “gold mine” underground but also affirms Vietnam’s increasingly important role in the global spice supply chain.
It is expected that Vietnam’s spice export value will reach 2 billion USD by 2025, with a volume of about 500,000 tons. Currently, Vietnam ranks third in the world for supplying and processing spices, only after India and China.