Di Linh: A Look Back After 50 Years

In the brilliant golden sunshine of April, flags and flowers fluttered along all the roads in Di Linh, welcoming the historic moment - April 30, 1975 - the day the country was unified, the South was completely liberated - the nation was reunited, from the northernmost point of Mong Cai to the southernmost point of Ca Mau.

With its rich traditional culture and unique ethnic minority characteristics, Di Linh district has great potential for developing community-based tourism . Photo: V.Quynh

Going back in history to the period before April 30, 1975, under the leadership of the Party, the people of various ethnic groups in Di Linh district continued to uphold the patriotic tradition and revolutionary spirit from the time of the resistance against the French, uniting and bravely fighting against the American imperialists. Di Linh established four concentrated guerrilla units and one local army unit, joining forces with the people and army of the South to counter the sweeps by the US-puppet forces. With the strategy of "attacking from within and attacking from without," the people and army of Di Linh repelled many attacks by the US-puppet forces, resolutely preventing the enemy from retreating from B'Lao to Di Linh to fortify their positions.

On March 28, 1975, the army and people of Di Linh, in coordination with main army units supporting the Di Linh front, quickly seized the opportunity to completely liberate Di Linh district, bringing peace to the people. During the resistance war against the American imperialists, the Party Committee, government, armed forces, and people of Di Linh district were awarded the Second Class Liberation Medal, the Third Class Bronze Medal, and three communes (Dinh Trang Thuong, Son Dien, Hoa Bac) and Di Linh district were awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces.

Immediately after liberation, the Party Committee, government, and people of all ethnic groups in Di Linh district quickly set about restoring the consequences of war, consolidating, building, and developing socio-economic aspects, ensuring national defense and security, and caring for the material and spiritual lives of the people. During the period 1975-1985, the Party Committee and government of Di Linh district, in addition to leading, organizing, consolidating, building, and developing the political , economic, cultural, social, health, education, and national defense and security sectors, and building a strong political system, also focused on leading the people in the struggle against hostile forces, especially the reactionary Fulro organization.

Di Linh is transforming along with the rest of the country.

From 1986 to the present, the Party Committee and government of Di Linh district have led the comprehensive reform and development of all aspects of life. At the time of liberation, Di Linh's population was only approximately 35,000 people, but it has now increased to over 162,000. According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Di Linh district, the growth rate of the district's agriculture sector averages over 6% per year. In 2024, the value of agricultural products per hectare of cultivated land reached over 200 million VND. Mr. Vu Duc Nhuan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Di Linh district, stated: In 2024, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector in Di Linh district is projected to grow by 3.9%; the industry by 6.1%; the construction sector by 9.0%; and the service sector by 13.0%. In 2024, the average per capita income of Di Linh district reached 62 million VND/person, an increase of 1.44 times compared to 2020. The multidimensional poverty rate of Di Linh district is currently only 3.03%. Of which, the multidimensional poverty rate among ethnic minority communities is 5.2%.

According to village elder K'Tiếu (Đinh Lạc commune, Di Linh district), 50 years after liberation, the face of the ethnic minority region has continuously transformed, and the lives of the people here have been constantly improved, both materially and spiritually. The cultural identity of the K'Ho people is being preserved and developed by the Party committee and the government, linked with tourism development. The structure of crops and livestock in the ethnic minority region has shifted in the right direction, forming value chains, creating stability in all stages, from cultivation to production and consumption. Vice Chairman of the Di Linh District People's Committee, Vũ Đức Nhuần, added: Coffee yield in Di Linh district currently reaches 36-40 quintals/hectare. In addition, Di Linh has also developed intercropping of fruit trees on 16,000 hectares. Di Linh currently has 45 products recognized as OCOP products with 3 stars or higher.

Over its 50-year journey of construction and development, Tan Chau commune was awarded the title of "Heroic Commune in the Renovation Period" by the State. In 2008, Di Linh was awarded the Third-Class Labor Medal, and in 2013, the Second-Class Labor Medal. These are solid foundations for Di Linh to transform strongly in the era of national transformation.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/xa-hoi/202505/di-linh-50-nam-nhin-lai-da9241c/