The Central Highlands are undergoing transformation.

The Central Highlands region comprises five provinces: Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, and Kon Tum . It is home to 47 ethnic groups, with a population of over 5 million people. Unlike the traditional longhouses of the Ede and Mnong people in the region, the more than 140-year-old house in Buon Tri, Krong Na commune, Buon Don district, Dak Lak province, is built entirely of wood with three pointed roofs. With its unique architecture, the ancient stilt house not only preserves precious relics of "the elephant hunting king" Y Thu Knul but also becomes an attractive destination for many tourists on their journey to explore the land and learn about the culture of the Central Highlands, the land of elephants. Around 2:30 PM (local time) on March 11th, the special aircraft carrying General Secretary To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly, along with the high-level Vietnamese delegation, arrived at Changi Airport, Singapore, beginning their official visit to the Republic of Singapore from March 11th to 13th, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore and Secretary-General of the People's Action Party (PAP), Lawrence Wong. On March 15th, 2025, a mega-event – a cultural festival with the theme "Stepping into a New Era" – will be co-organized by Saigon – Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB) and T&T Group at My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi. Inspired by the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the event featured a torch relay, flame passing, and various sporting activities, a spectacular exhibition, and a top-notch music program, attracting 15,000 employees and workers from SHB and T&T Group. With the theme "National Intangible Cultural Heritage: Nghinh Ong Song Doc Festival - Ca Mau: 100 Years of Formation and Development," Ca Mau province organized numerous activities at the 2025 Nghinh Ong Song Doc Festival, taking place from March 11-17 in Song Doc town, Tran Van Thoi district. On March 11, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Ba To Uprising, the People's Committee of Ba To district (Quang Ngai) held the inauguration ceremony of the Ba To Digital Library. Gia Lai is one of the 10 localities nationwide that has successfully implemented the program to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses. With the goal of demolishing 8,485 temporary and dilapidated houses before June 2025, Gia Lai province has been mobilizing all resources to help poor households, policy beneficiary families, and people with meritorious services have stable and decent housing. The Bauhinia flower is a characteristic symbol of the Northwest mountainous region; it not only possesses a pristine beauty but also carries a profound cultural value of this land. Bauhinia trees usually grow in clusters, with soft, smooth petals that release a fragrant aroma. The white color of the Bauhinia flower blends with the clouds, creating a beautiful picture in the heart of Lai Chau mountain town. This is a summary of news from the Ethnic and Development Newspaper. This afternoon's news bulletin on March 10th includes the following noteworthy information: Expectations to elevate the value of Vietnamese coffee; A temple with a unique pink color in An Giang; The "torchbearers" in San Diu culture. Along with other current news from ethnic minority and mountainous regions: On March 7, 2025, the Minister of Education and Training issued Circular 05/2025/TT-BGDĐT regulating the working regime for general education and pre-university teachers. On the afternoon of March 10, at the Vietnam Women's Museum (Hanoi), the exhibition and launch of the photo book "Rising Up Lang Nu Village" by photographer Nguyen A attracted the attention of a large number of photography enthusiasts and social organizations. On the morning of March 11, Dak Lak province organized the International Trade Conference - Connecting and Elevating Vietnamese Coffee in Buon Ma Thuot City. Representatives from international organizations, provinces, and cities both domestically and abroad attended the conference. Delegates from units and businesses specializing in coffee processing and supply nationwide were present. Plan International Vietnam recently shared Vietnam's impressive results in the Girls' Leadership Index 2024 (GLI 2024) report. Accordingly, Vietnam is one of the few countries to achieve a perfect score (1.0) in the Law and Policy Index, reflecting an advanced legal and policy system that comprehensively protects and promotes the rights of women and girls. Along both sides of the roads leading to the northern communes of Dak Glei district (Kon Tum) are lush green coffee hills in the cold climate. For ethnic minorities, this is not only a crop that helps them escape poverty but also opens up opportunities for wealth creation on their own land.

Hệ thống điện, đường, trường, trạm, nhà rông văn hóa thôn Đăk Đe, xã Rờ Kơi, huyện Sa Thầy, tỉnh Kon Tum được đầu tư từ các chương trình MTQG. — The electricity, road, school, health station, and cultural community hall systems in Dak De village, Ro Koi commune, Sa Thay district, Kon Tum province, were invested in through national target programs.

As a strategically important region for the entire country in socio -economic development linked to national defense and security, the Central Highlands is rich in potential and abundant natural resources, playing a central role in connecting East and West. In recent years, the implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations has created favorable conditions for the Central Highlands to develop socio-economically, ensure security and national defense, and improve the quality of life for its people.

Thiếu nữ Ba Na thôn Kon Klor, TP. Kon Tum bảo tồn và phát huy các giá trị văn hóa dân tộc, trong đó có nghề dệt thổ cẩm truyền thống. — Young Ba Na women in Kon Klor village, Kon Tum city, preserve and promote ethnic cultural values, including the traditional brocade weaving craft.

In particular, since the implementation of national target programs in general, and the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas for the period 2021-2030 in particular, the Central Highlands region has made significant strides in comprehensive development in all aspects of economy, culture, and society. The material and spiritual lives of ethnic minorities have been increasingly improved and enhanced.

Bộ đội Đồn Biên phòng Đăk Blô, huyện Đăk Glei giúp dân vận hành, bảo quản máy móc đi vào sản xuất nông nghiệp. — Soldiers from the Dak Blo Border Guard Post in Dak Glei district are assisting local people in operating and maintaining machinery for agricultural production.

The Ethnic Minorities and Development Newspaper presents some images showcasing the transformation of the Central Highlands through the lens of our reporters.