Socialist Republic of Vietnam

HA NOI — In the three decades since its liberation in 1975, the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) region has enjoyed major socio-economic improvement thanks to the leadership of the Party and the resilience and unity of the 47 local ethnic minority groups.

A vast plateau laying at the southern end of the Truong Son Mountain range, Tay Nguyen is best known for its people’s strong-heartedness and unyielding nature during the nation’s resistance wars. Physically, the region is full of jungles, idyllic waterfalls and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Tay Nguyen’s strategic location, full of obstacles and inaccessibility, made it a vital gateway to the Cuu Long (Mekong) delta in southern Viet Nam.

On March 10th, 1975, in the Tay Nguyen town of Buon Ma Thuot, the maiden battle of the Liberation Forces in the General Offensive took place.

The victory was a decisive factor in the defeat of the US-backed regime and the reunification of the country in the Spring of 1975. The liberation of Tay Nguyen is a glorious event in the nation’s history.

Economy, village building

The economy of Tay Nguyen, home to 4.5 million ethnic minority people, was rebuilt from the ashes of decades of war. It has completely changed thanks to residents’ hard work and attention from the State.

Shortly after the war ended new economic zones were built, mostly concentrated in the province of Lam Dong. These economic zones created jobs for hundreds of thousands of people.

Local ethnic minority groups were encouraged to shift from nomadic life to settled farming, and the State invested thousands of billions of Dong into creating infrastructure, particularly in the building of schools, rural transport, health clinics, reservoirs, dams, and irrigation networks for the drought-and-flood prone land.

Currently one of the most successful economies in the country and a major exporter of agricultural commodities, Tay Nguyen has also made a giant step forward in addressing poverty and improving living standards.

Economically, Tay Nguyen provinces such as Gia Lai are recording highest GDP growth rates. Gia Lai’s economy grew last year by more than 13 per cent, a year-on-year increase of 25.7 per cent in industrial production, and 18 per cent in forestry production.

Dac Lac Province also saw 10.3 per cent economic growth last year – one of the the highest rates in the country – while the average growth was maintained at a high of 8 per cent. Dac Lac is the region’s economic locomotive.

The economies in the other provinces of Kon Tum, Lam Dong and Dac Nong have also improved substantially, thanks to new investment, well-planned crops and newly built infrastructure.

Agriculture and forestry, once the lifeline of Tay Nguyen people, still accounts for about 70 per cent of the economy. However, agriculture is gradually giving way to industry and services, with hundreds of factories and mills popping up in all of Tay Nguyen’s five provinces.

Last year, the area was visited by over one million tourists. The beautiful landscapes and famously romantic spots, such as Da Lat, promise high revenues as tourist attractions.

Visiting today, one would find it hard to imagine that just 30 years ago the land and population was chronically endangered by hunger, poverty, illiteracy and a lack of basic necessities.

Following Uncle Ho

During the wars, people in the Tay Nguyen fought bravely under the leadership of Uncle Ho and the Party. In peace time, they vowed to whole-heartedly follow the Party and make their villages beautiful and prosperous.

The people’s loyalty has become a tradition passed down from generation to generation.

Village chief Y Be, of Krong hamlet in Dac Lac Province said: "Being born and raised in the Tay Nguyen, and having witnessed many changes, never have I seen people enjoying such a good life. This is thanks to the people’s promise to unswervingly follow the Party."

Ksor Kron, a Gia Lai veteran, said that without his education, he would never have got where he is today.

"Without the Party’s leadership, the Vietnamese people in general and Tay Nguyen people in particular would not have independence, freedom and equality with other Vietnamese nationalities," he said.

Defeating hostile plots

Because of the region’s strategic importance, Tay Nguyen became a target for hostile forces that wanted to undermine national unity among ethnic minority groups. Using land concerns and religious differences, these forces, like the US-based Montagnard Foundation, provoked demonstrations and exaggerated issues.

There were also fabrications about the Government’s suppression of the demonstrations. Anti-revolutionaries even created a non-existent so-called "Degar State" or "Degar Protestant."

But time has uncovered the hand behind the hostile forces.

In local media’s probes into the case, it was discovered that demonstrators were abused by hostile overseas-based organisations. In some places, ethnic minority people were urged by foreigners to flee to another country, just to end up in "refugee camps". They were later welcomed back to Viet Nam by authorities, without being subject to any punishment.

Meanwhile, the poverty rate, according to local figures, has fallen from 25 per cent to 11 per cent in 2003, and chronic hunger is no longer a problem. Children are enjoing free education and people in remote villages have access to health care. All communes now have roads and over 81 per cent have electricity.

The State and the Party is standing with Tay Nguyen people to settle land and religion issues, local authorities say.

In the past, numerous policies have been set up to create favourable conditions for Protestants and Catholics.

Reverand Thai Phuoc Truong, secretary general of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Evangelical Churches (South), reported the regular and uninteruppted operation of 36 churches in Tay Nguyen since 1975.

In addition, the General Confederation has ordained nearly 100 priests. Over 30 churches have been built and hundreds have been upgraded. Last Christmas, believers gathered and worshipped together with help from local governments.

"The association’s activities are thriving," said Reverand Tran Ba Thanh, a confederation member. "We are all pleased and are able to look to the future with confidence."

Viet Nam News, March 22, 2005