Fierce war zone
“All types of bombs, ammunition, and weapons that the US used in South Vietnam were dropped in Gia Nghia. The US even used B52 planes to drop bombs, plant landmines, frog mines, etc. all over Gia Nghia,” said veteran Nguyen Van Khanh, who currently lives in residential group 2, Nghia Trung ward, Gia Nghia city.
Mr. Khanh is 85 years old this year. He fought directly to liberate Gia Nghia. At that time, Mr. Khanh worked in logistics and transportation in Gia Nghia.
Over the course of history, the name of Gia Nghia has changed many times and has had different administrative boundaries. On January 23, 1959, Quang Duc province was established under Decree No. 24-NV of the President of the Republic of Vietnam; the provincial capital was Gia Nghia town. Gia Nghia was occupied and turned into an important enemy base.
With the plot of "draining water to catch fish", since 1962, in the Quang Duc area, the Saigon government deployed to gather people to establish strategic hamlets to eliminate our revolutionary forces, but they did not achieve the desired results.
In 1966, they were forced to shrink, and advocated concentrating ethnic minority groups into new strategic hamlets located on the outskirts of Gia Nghia town.
On the revolutionary government side, to meet strategic requirements and tasks, in December 1960, the Central Committee decided to establish Quang Duc province (codenamed B4), under Inter-province 4, directly commanded by Inter-zone 5.
By May 1971, Quang Duc province was dissolved for the fourth time. At this time, Gia Nghia belonged to Khiem Duc district under Lam Dong province under the direction of Zone 6.
To direct the resistance on the Gia Nghia front, in November 1974, Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee sent comrade Tran Thanh, Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee, to directly direct the general offensive and uprising in Gia Nghia and Khiem Duc.
The revolutionary struggle movement of the army and people of Gia Nghia is a vivid proof of a locality with a long tradition of steadfast struggle. The milestone was the liberation of Gia Nghia on the morning of March 23, 1975.
On March 10, 1975, Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak), Duc Lap district (now Dak Mil district) was liberated, marking the collapse of the entire enemy defense system in the Central Highlands. From March 18 to 22, 1975, the enemy fled from Gia Nghia and neighboring districts.
Recalling the heroic days, veteran Nguyen Van Khanh said: On March 21, 1975, the enemy initially started to withdraw because they knew that Duc Lap, Buon Ma Thuot had been defeated and were confused because there was no logistical support.
On the evening of March 21, 1975, they burned the ammunition depot at the artillery hill in Gia Nghia with the aim of preventing our troops from using their weapons and ammunition. Their intention was to retreat towards Duc Xuyen (now Krong No district), then to Buon Ma Thuot.
However, when they reached Duc Xuyen, they were intercepted by our troops. At that time, the enemy returned to Highway 28, crossed the Dong Nai River to retreat to Lam Dong but were also intercepted and defeated by us.
Veteran Nguyen Van Khanh shared that at that time, the enemy had about 100 soldiers, our troops only had about 50 locals and Regiment 66. Our Regiment 66 was assigned to liberate Quang Duc, but when they arrived, the enemy had already withdrawn and disbanded.
“After the enemy withdrew, our troops took over Gia Nghia. At around 6-7am on March 23, 1975, our liberation army lowered the puppet flag and raised our own flag,” veteran Nguyen Van Khanh recounted.
On the morning of March 24, 1975, the Gia Nghia Military Management Committee was officially established with comrade Tran Thanh as Chairman. Gia Nghia - Dak Nong was completely liberated on March 23, 1975, following the Duc Lap victory and the Buon Ma Thuot victory.
The Gia Nghia victory had great historical significance, expanding the support corridor for the Southern provinces; completing the historical mission of ending the Central Highlands campaign, contributing to the complete liberation of the South, unifying the country, bringing our country into a new era.
Veteran Nguyen Van Khanh
Changes of Gia Nghia after 50 years
Mrs. Pham Thi Huong, 71 years old, wife of veteran Nguyen Van Khanh, one of the people living in Gia Nghia more than 50 years ago.
Mrs. Huong shared: Before liberation, Gia Nghia had very few residents. On March 23, 1975, my family and I were herded by the enemy like hostages and walked through Lam Dong.
They forced the people to go first until they reached Dong Nai River, where a plane crashed, then they stopped taking the people and the other planes also withdrew.
At that time, the soldiers also dispersed and went somewhere we did not know. After that, we went to Lam Dong by ourselves. When we arrived at Duc Trong, we asked for food and water and stayed there for about a month.
After the country was unified, my family and I stayed there to do business for a while, then returned to Buon Ma Thuot and later returned to Gia Nghia.
“At that time, Gia Nghia was still sparsely populated and faced many difficulties because of its low starting point and the heavy consequences of the war. Thanks to the Party, the army and the government's propaganda and mobilization, more Gia Nghia people returned. We were assured that we had gained independence and gradually overcame difficulties to develop the economy. Since then, life has improved day by day,” Ms. Huong shared.
Before 2004, Dak Nong district was one of the poor localities of Dak Lak province. After the re-establishment of the province in 2004, the City Party Committee...
Gia Nghia, through its terms, has focused on leadership, direction, making correct decisions, mobilizing all investment resources, maximizing potential and advantages, arousing the aspirations of the people of all ethnic groups, creating momentum for rapid and sustainable development.
After 20 years, Gia Nghia City has escaped the status of a poor district in the past and achieved decisive results on the journey of construction and development.
The lives of the ethnic people in Gia Nghia are constantly improving in all aspects. Gia Nghia City today has been gradually changing day by day, developing towards a green, modern, and smart urban area.
K Gia Nghia's economy is developing quite dynamically, with growth reaching over 8% in 2024. The total product in the area (GRDP) for the 2020 - 2025 term is estimated at over 34,680 billion VND.
The estimated average growth rate of the city for the 2020-2025 term is 11.76%/year. The agriculture, forestry and fishery sector is estimated to reach over VND4,631 billion. The industry and construction sector is estimated to reach VND17,218 billion.
The service sector is estimated to reach 12,830 billion VND. Gia Nghia's average income per capita in 2024 is about 54.23 million VND/person and in 2025 is expected to reach 57.05 million VND/person.
Gia Nghia's budget revenue in 2024 is estimated at 1,100 billion VND. The total value of products in the area in 2024 (according to 2010 comparable prices) is estimated at 7,157 billion VND.
Gia Nghia's economic structure has shifted in line with the direction of the province and the Central Government, which is to gradually increase the proportion of industry - construction and services, and gradually reduce the proportion of agriculture and forestry.
Regarding urban infrastructure, traffic has been upgraded and completed with most inter-commune roads asphalted and inter-village roads concreted. Up to now, Gia Nghia has 100% of urban roads asphalted and concreted.
The rate of asphalted and concreted roads in the whole city is 76.77%. The rate of asphalted and concreted rural roads is 67.72%. The rate of urban waste collection is 96%.
Urbanization rate 78%. Lighting rate of main streets 100%. 100% of households have access to the national grid. Clean water supply system has been widely covered, with nearly 100% of households using hygienic water.
Shape to become "bauxite city"
On December 31, 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No. 1757/QD-TTg approving the planning of Dak Nong province for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.
Accordingly, Dak Nong organizes economic and social activities according to the model of "One center - Three growth drivers - Four economic corridors - Four development sub-regions". Gia Nghia city is the political, administrative, economic, cultural, social, scientific and technological center of Dak Nong.
Gia Nghia City is the core urban area of the Southern Central Highlands sub-region, connecting with the Southeast region and Ho Chi Minh City. Gia Nghia City receives the spreading development of the region and the country through three growth drivers, four economic corridors, spreading to four developing sub-regions.
Gia Nghia plays an important role and position in the growth dynamic pole of Dak Nong. According to the planning, Gia Nghia plays the role of the central core urban area of the central dynamic pole formed from the urban chain of Dak R'lap - Gia Nghia - Quang Khe.
According to the planning of Dak Nong province for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, Gia Nghia city will receive strong investment in transportation development.
According to the national road network planning, Dak Nong will have two expressways: Gia Nghia (Dak Nong) - Chon Thanh (Binh Phuoc) and Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak) - Gia Nghia (Dak Nong).
The national railway network planning will build the Dak Nong – Chon Thanh railway line, which is part of the railway connecting the provinces in the Central Highlands. Regarding the provincial transport infrastructure development plan, investment will be made in the route connecting Gia Nghia City and Bao Lam District (Lam Dong).
Dak Nong is focusing on developing Gia Nghia urban area to become a type II urban area, in a civilized and modern direction, in the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.
In particular, the city mobilizes resources to implement construction plans in accordance with the planning of Dak Nong province for the period 2021-2030 and the general planning of Gia Nghia urban area until 2050.
The city improves the quality of urban planning work associated with protecting geology, landscape, and environment in the direction of "Cities in the forest, forests in the city" and diversifying native plants.
Gia Nghia urban development is a civilized, modern, environmentally friendly urban area. The city promotes the development of trade - services, tourism, in relation to the urban system of the Central Highlands, South Central, Southeast and deep integration.
Gia Nghia urban development is associated with the important strategic task of being the core, creating a driving force to promote, spread, and develop to districts in the province and neighboring areas in the region. Gia Nghia strongly attracts resources, investors, businesses, and individuals to develop.
Gia Nghia aims to scientifically and reasonably develop the system of functional areas and modernize technical infrastructure, creating unique urban architectural space characteristics of the city, suitable for the natural conditions and culture of the Central Highlands ethnic groups.
Comrade Tran Quoc Huy, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Secretary of Dak Nong Provincial Party Committee shared: “Many of my friends from big cities and provinces such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City… when coming to Gia Nghia, they were surprised by the rapid development of Gia Nghia urban area!”.
Gia Nghia's achievements today are very encouraging but that is only the result of a short time. Gia Nghia - a very young city.
If we want Gia Nghia to develop faster, sustainably and become livable, and enter a new era with friends, to be among the top beautiful and livable cities, with a brand that is loved by many people, we still have a lot of work to do.
First of all, there must be a strong determination to create high unity not only in the political system but also in the whole society; not only awareness but also turning into feelings, will and aspirations of citizens who love their homeland and the country where they live.
Along with intelligence, the city mobilizes the people's strength so that each Gia Nghia resident, especially the young, is proud of the place they live with deep and profound love. Gia Nghia needs to consider the new context to have timely and scientific awareness.
Comrade Tran Quoc Huy also analyzed that Gia Nghia City is located in an area with abundant and rich basalt land on the M'nong plateau.
Gia Nghia has special agricultural products of high value and international stature such as coffee, pepper, cocoa, many kinds of delicious fruits and vegetables...
Gia Nghia is also located in the southern region of Dak Nong with bauxite reserves accounting for nearly 2/3 of the total bauxite reserves of the country. Alumina processing is developing well.
The aluminum electrolysis plant is about to be inaugurated and the Government has also approved the deep processing plan for the period from now to 2030, with a vision to 2050. That will be a great driving force, the second path to develop Gia Nghia to become a "bauxite city".
Source: https://baodaknong.vn/gia-nghia-tu-vung-chien-su-den-do-thi-phat-trien-246866.html
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