Rapid liberation of Kon Tum
In recent years, Kon Tum has grown to become a young, dynamic city with a gradual investment in spacious and modern infrastructure along the Dak Bla River flowing back. 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Kon Tum Liberation Day (March 16, 1975). This is an important milestone to look back at the province's development journey over the past half century.
Although time has passed, Mr. Nguyen Trung Que, a veteran (Detective Committee, old Kon Tum Provincial Army), still remembers the heroic years. The Central Highlands campaign with the motto "race quickly, hit quickly, win big", bombs and bullets exploded day and night, but the spirit of the brothers was always strong.
"The resistance is fierce in the Dak Bla bridge area and the strongholds around Kon Tum airport. Our army must cross mines and bomb holes to rescue war invalids, take away every house and alley, and fight to destroy the enemy's resistance groups, Mr. Que recalled.
On March 10, 1975, our army defeated Buon Ma Thuot, causing the enemy's Central Highlands defense system to begin to disband. From March 12 to 14, 1975, under the pressure of our army, the enemy retreated along the National Highway to Pleiku and Kon Tum, but were ambushed and destroyed in the Phuong Hoang Pass and Dak Po.
On March 16, 1975, the armed forces and the people of Kon Tum simultaneously rose up, attacking the remaining strongholds. Our army quickly took control of Kon Tum town, completely liberating Kon Tum province.
This victory contributed to the overall victory of the Central Highlands campaign, paving the way for our army to liberate the Central provinces and won all victories in the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign.
Mr. Nguyen Trung Que emotionally said: Our generation has shed blood and sacrificed to help the country gain independence and freedom. Now Kon Tum is developing strongly, people's lives are improving, making everyone proud".
The capital of medicinal herbs - Ngoc Linh ginseng
If in the past, the economy mainly relied on self-sufficient agriculture and forestry, now there are many modern development models. These are high-tech agricultural models, coffee, rubber, Ngoc Linh ginseng growing areas in Tu Mo Rong, Dak Glei, Dak To, Sa Thay districts...
The places associated with the fierce battles of the past have now "changed their skin". The streets are rich and beautiful, people's lives are prosperous, security and order are maintained.
According to the People's Committee of Kon Tum province, to develop the medicinal plant growing area, the province has approved the Ngoc Linh ginseng development plan with a total planning area of 31,742 hectares. To date, the whole province has developed about 2,922 hectares of Ngoc Linh ginseng. Of which, Tu Mo Rong district accounts for the majority with 2,883 hectares.
In recent years, Ngoc Linh ginseng has contributed to hunger eradication and poverty reduction for nearly 2,000 mountainous households. Many households have escaped poverty, become rich, buy cars, send their children to university, have food and provisions... - Mr. Vo Trung Manh - Chairman of Tu Mo Rong District People's Committee - said.
In Kon Plong district, Mang Den national eco-tourism area is increasingly attracting tourists. Kon Tum aims to welcome 2.5 million visitors by 2025.
The routes for soldiers fighting the enemy in the past, such as Ho Chi Minh Road and National Highway 24, have now been paved with asphalt, helping Kon Tum connect trade with the Central Highlands and Central provinces. Kon Tum city has been expanded, with many new projects such as Dak Bla bridge, urban areas, hospitals, and standard schools appearing.
Chairman of Kon Tum Provincial People's Committee, Mr. Le Ngoc Tuan affirmed: "To develop Kon Tum richly, the province will promote investment in transport infrastructure, focusing on education, healthcare, and culture. Kon Tum province also preserves and promotes the cultural identity of the Central Highlands such as gong music, hermitage architecture, traditional festivals... to preserve the cultural identity of ethnic groups".
Thanks to the policies of the Party and State and the determination of the local political system, the lives of Kon Tum people are increasingly prosperous and happy.The rate of poor households has decreased significantly, especially among ethnic minorities.
At the beginning of 2021, Kon Tum had 21,989 poor households, accounting for 15.32% of households in the province (mainly ethnic minorities, with nearly 21,000 households).By the end of 2024, Kon Tum will have only 6,557 poor households.
