Gio Linh - From "wild grass" to a prosperous golden season

Village roads and alleys in Gio Linh town are built spaciously - Photo: TT

When we learned that we wanted to meet a veteran who participated in the 1972 Quang Tri liberation campaign, creating momentum for the 1975 Ho Chi Minh Campaign, completely liberating the South and unifying the country, Vice Chairman of Gio Linh Town People's Committee Tran Ngoc Hieu introduced Mr. Hoang Minh Man, former Party Secretary and Chairman of Gio Chau Commune People's Committee (old).

Talking to people who participated in the attack and pursuit of the enemy in Ong Do cave, Hai Lang district in March 1975, we could feel more clearly the emotions of the soldiers who had gone through life and death when mentioning the word peace: "At that time, death was just around the corner, but no one wavered, only determined to fight to destroy the enemy and liberate the homeland.

On March 19, 1975, Hai Lang district, the last land of Quang Tri province, was liberated. This was also an important milestone in the offensive campaign of the liberation army on the Tri - Thien front. These days, when the whole country is joyfully celebrating the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, I recall with emotion the years of fierce but heroic fighting, proud that I contributed a small part to the victory of the whole nation," Mr. Man shared.

When Gio Linh district emerged from the war, not a single village remained intact, the fields were deserted, crisscrossed with bomb craters, artillery shell craters, barbed wire and full of unexploded bombs. Farming tools, tractors and seeds for agricultural production were almost gone. However, the people were full of confidence in the future, enthusiastically reclaiming and restoring the fields, launching the three-shock movement, determined to rebuild their homeland.

From a purely agricultural land, Gio Linh has risen to become a locality where industry and services play a leading role, marking an important turning point in the development process. A clear proof is the average economic growth rate in the period of 2020-2025 estimated at 9.6%/year, an impressive figure, especially in the context of many fluctuations in the global and domestic economy. People's lives have been improved, with average income per capita expected to reach 80 million VND/person/year in 2025, nearly 3 times higher than in 2010 and many times higher than in the early days of the province's re-establishment.

The economic structure has shifted positively, demonstrating the vision and right direction of the district. The proportion of industry - construction currently accounts for 56.03%, trade - services is 21.97%, agriculture - forestry - fishery is 22%. The industrial production value in 2024 will reach nearly 2,400 billion VND, nearly 2 times higher than in 2020. The district has attracted many large-scale, high-tech projects in the fields of renewable energy, garment, agricultural - forestry - fishery processing, creating jobs for thousands of workers. Industrial clusters and craft villages develop in a sustainable direction, associated with industrial promotion and technological innovation programs.

The district focuses on developing ecological agriculture, applying high technology, and gradually forming specialized production areas. The application of science and technology, building brands and geographical indications for agricultural products has brought about encouraging results. Food output in 2024 reached an impressive figure of 52,000 tons, far exceeding the set target and the highest level ever.

The district’s key agricultural products such as high-quality rice, rubber, pepper, seafood, livestock, and farms are constantly increasing in quality and output. In particular, these products are increasingly focused on processing, packaging, and branding according to the value chain, increasing added value and competitiveness in the market.

The trade and service sector has made significant progress with a total of 4,626 establishments and more than 6,400 employees. The service production value in 2024 reached 1,704 billion VND, with an average growth rate of 7.5% over the past 5 years. In particular, tourism is gradually being exploited and invested in systematically. Sea, ecological and community tourism destinations such as Gio An Ancient Well, Gio Hai Beach, Cua Viet Beach... are increasingly focused on investment, gradually forming a chain of tourism products with strong local identity, promising to become an attractive destination on the Quang Tri tourism map.

With a total social investment capital of VND 3,090 billion in 2024, the district has focused resources on developing synchronous infrastructure, especially key projects on transportation, irrigation, health, education, urbanization and new rural areas. Planning, site clearance and investment attraction are directed resolutely, creating a legal corridor and favorable conditions for synchronous development with the general planning of the province and the coastal key economic zone.

Chairman of Gio Linh District People's Committee Vo Dac Hoa shared that in the development orientation in the coming time, the locality continues to focus on effectively shifting the economic structure towards industry - service - agriculture. In which, focusing on developing the marine economy, hilly and sandy areas in an ecological direction, bringing high economic value. Developing agriculture in an ecological, modern, effective and sustainable direction, prioritizing restructuring the agricultural sector associated with building advanced and exemplary new rural areas.

At the same time, encourage investment in high-tech industries, processing industries, renewable energy, logistics and e-commerce, creating new growth drivers. Determined to promote improvement of the investment environment, creating favorable conditions to attract resources.

The top priority is to invest in developing transport infrastructure connecting industrial parks, clusters, urban areas and digital infrastructure, creating a solid foundation for socio-economic development. The district also focuses on reviewing and perfecting development planning, ensuring consistency with the planning of the province and the coastal key economic zone, determined to build an increasingly prosperous and civilized homeland.

Aquarius

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/gio-linh-tu-co-lut-dong-hoang-den-mua-vang-no-am-193262.htm