12°40′N 108°3′E / 12.667°N 108.050°E / 12.667; 108.050 Buôn Ma Thuột (formerly Lạc Giao)[1] or sometimes Buôn Mê Thuột or Ban Mê Thuột (listen), is the capital city of Đắk Lắk Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Its population was 434,256 in 2023.[2] The city is the largest in the Central Highlands and known for its coffee culture.[3][4][5]

Buôn Ma Thuột
Thành phố Buôn Ma Thuột
Ban Mê Thuột, Lạc Giao
Buôn Ma Thuột City
From top to bottom, left to right: City center. Buôn Ma Thuột city square seen from above, Buôn Ma Thuột cathedral, Khải Đoan pagoda, Buôn Ma Thuột central intersection Buôn Mê Thuột stadium
Official seal of Buôn Ma Thuột
Map
Buôn Ma Thuột is located in Vietnam
Buôn Ma Thuột
Buôn Ma Thuột
Location of in Vietnam
Buôn Ma Thuột is located in Southeast Asia
Buôn Ma Thuột
Buôn Ma Thuột
Buôn Ma Thuột (Southeast Asia)
Buôn Ma Thuột is located in Asia
Buôn Ma Thuột
Buôn Ma Thuột
Buôn Ma Thuột (Asia)
Coordinates: 12°40′N 108°3′E / 12.667°N 108.050°E / 12.667; 108.050
Country Vietnam
ProvinceĐắk Lắk
Area
 • City (Class-1)377.18 km2 (145.63 sq mi)
Elevation
536 m (1,759 ft)
Population
 (2023 census)
 • City (Class-1)434.256
 • Density1.151/km2 (2.98/sq mi)
 • Urban
246.671
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Websitebuonmathuot.gov.vn (in Vietnamese)

Buôn Ma Thuột is served by Buôn Ma Thuột Airport.

In 1904, the French colonialists established Dak Lak province and chose Buon Ma Thuot as its capital. Since then, Buon Ma Thuot has become the administrative, economic, and cultural center of the region. Throughout the two resistance wars against the French and the Americans, Buon Ma Thuot made significant contributions to the cause of national liberation.[6]

Names

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The name Buôn Ma Thuột derives from the language of the Ê Đê as the village of Ama Y Thuột, who held considerable power and prestige as the head of his village, where Buôn Ma Thuột now stands, in the late 19th century.[7][8]

History

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Bảo Đại's royal residence

In 1904 Đắk Lắk Province was established by the French and Buôn Ma Thuột was selected as the provincial administrative centre, rather than the trading center of Đôn on the Srepok River. Buôn Ma Thuột was originally settled by the Ê Đê, but due to the incoming Việt settlement after the Vietnam War and the active acculturation policy, less than 15% (around 40,000) are still Montagnards. An important battle took place there at the end of the Vietnam war.

Geography

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M'nong Longhouse in Buôn Ma Thuột

The city is located at 12.6667° N 108.0500° E, right at the heart of the Central Highlands of Vietnam, 1300 km from Hanoi, 500 km from Da Nang, and 350 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Lying on a fairly flat highland, at an average height of 536 m (1,759 ft) above sea level, Buôn Ma Thuột has a vital role in Vietnam's national security and defense system.[citation needed] Buôn Ma Thuột is the capital of Đắk Lắk Province and also the biggest city in the Central Highlands region (Tây Nguyên).

Institutions

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Buôn Ma Thuột is the site of Tây Nguyên University, which was founded in 1977 and has educated more than 27,000 students. The TNU offers training in 37 university programs, 8 college programs, and 6 college-university interlinking programs and pre-university programs.[9]

Socioeconomic (2022)

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Economic growth:

  • The province's total gross domestic product (GRDP) grew by 8.94%, exceeding the planned target by 3.65%.
  • Agricultural, forestry, and fishery production remained stable and played a key role in maintaining economic growth.
  • The industrial production index increased by 16.75%, mainly due to controlled COVID-19 and the growth of the manufacturing sector.
  • The mining sector experienced a decline due to difficulties in resource extraction policies and environmental protection regulations.

Business development:

  • Approximately 1,500 new enterprises were established with a registered capital of over 20,100 billion VND, a 42.72% increase from 2021.

Trade and services:

  • Retail sales and consumer service revenue reached over 100 trillion VND, a 19.9% increase from the previous year.
  • Export turnover was estimated at 1.5 billion USD, a 30.32% increase, while import turnover was 450 million USD.

State budget:

  • Total state budget revenue was estimated at over 9,152 billion VND, a 39.38% increase.
  • State budget expenditures totaled over 21,236 billion VND, with development investment expenditures increasing by 14.99%.

Social indicators:

  • The provincial population reached 1,918,440, an increase of 0.49%.
  • The labor force from 15 years old and older increased to 1,146,335.
  • Employment was provided to approximately 41,250 people, achieving 103.12% of the planned target.

Administrative reforms showed positive results, and political security and social order were maintained. During the press conference, questions about budget revenue and expenditures, new business registrations, and employment statistics were addressed by the leaders of the Đắk Lắk Statistics Department and other relevant departments.[10]

Government resolution

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The Government issued Resolution No. 103/NQCP to implement the Political Bureau's Conclusion No. 67KL/TW, aiming to build and develop Buôn Ma Thuột, Đắk Lắk province, up to 2030 with a vision to 2045.

Key Goals for 20212025:

  • Economic growth: Aim for an average annual growth rate above 11%.
  • Economic structure by 2025: Services sector to constitute 62%, industryconstruction 30%.
  • Income: Average per capita income to reach 150 million VND.
  • Labor and training: Over 77% of the labor force to receive training; elimination of poverty; 80% of the population to have access to clean water; all communes to meet national health standards.

Main Objectives:

  • Policy implementation: All government levels and departments to propagate and execute the resolution.
  • Planning and development: Complete regional planning for Tây Nguyên and Đắk Lắk (2021-2030, vision 2050).
  • Resource mobilization: Focus on attracting investments and improving infrastructure for efficient use of resources.
  • Economic development: Leverage strengths in key economic areas, including developing human resources to meet Industry 4.0 demands.
  • City development: Establish Buôn Ma Thuột as a hub for science, technology, tourism, and culture in Tây Nguyên.
  • Social progress: Enhance the material and spiritual life of citizens.
  • Environmental protection: Proactively address climate change and resource management issues.
  • National defense and security: Ensure political stability and safety.
  • Party building: Strengthen the party's integrity and effectiveness.

Cooperation and coordination:

  • Government collaboration: Ministries and agencies to work closely with local authorities for effective implementation.
  • Regional partnerships: Foster connections with neighboring provinces in the Cambodia/Laos/Vietnam Development Triangle and other key economic regions for sustainable development.

Longterm vision (2030-2045):

  • Urban center development: Buôn Ma Thuột to become a central urban area in Tây Nguyên, maximizing natural resources and cultural values.
  • Sustainable growth: Maintain high economic growth, shift economic structures, develop green and smart industries, and promote high-tech urban agriculture.
  • Technological advancement: Embrace Industry 4.0 and innovation to improve human resource quality.

[11]

Climate

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Climate data for Buôn Ma Thuột
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 34.3
(93.7)
36.6
(97.9)
37.6
(99.7)
39.4
(102.9)
37.0
(98.6)
35.1
(95.2)
34.6
(94.3)
34.6
(94.3)
33.1
(91.6)
33.1
(91.6)
32.6
(90.7)
32.4
(90.3)
39.4
(102.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27.1
(80.8)
29.6
(85.3)
32.0
(89.6)
33.3
(91.9)
31.8
(89.2)
29.9
(85.8)
29.2
(84.6)
29.0
(84.2)
28.9
(84.0)
28.4
(83.1)
27.2
(81.0)
26.2
(79.2)
29.4
(84.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 21.0
(69.8)
22.5
(72.5)
24.5
(76.1)
26.1
(79.0)
25.8
(78.4)
24.9
(76.8)
24.3
(75.7)
24.2
(75.6)
24.0
(75.2)
23.5
(74.3)
22.5
(72.5)
21.2
(70.2)
23.7
(74.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 17.5
(63.5)
18.2
(64.8)
19.6
(67.3)
21.4
(70.5)
22.0
(71.6)
21.7
(71.1)
21.3
(70.3)
21.4
(70.5)
21.1
(70.0)
20.5
(68.9)
19.6
(67.3)
18.3
(64.9)
20.2
(68.4)
Record low °C (°F) 9.1
(48.4)
12.0
(53.6)
12.3
(54.1)
16.7
(62.1)
14.4
(57.9)
17.9
(64.2)
18.4
(65.1)
14.4
(57.9)
13.4
(56.1)
14.9
(58.8)
10.7
(51.3)
7.4
(45.3)
7.4
(45.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 5.2
(0.20)
3.8
(0.15)
24.1
(0.95)
84.3
(3.32)
233.6
(9.20)
245.1
(9.65)
253.7
(9.99)
309.8
(12.20)
311.4
(12.26)
198.8
(7.83)
100.3
(3.95)
26.4
(1.04)
1,784.3
(70.25)
Average rainy days 1.6 0.8 3.4 7.8 18.5 21.2 23.4 24.2 23.2 15.7 10.6 5.8 156.1
Average relative humidity (%) 77.6 74.2 72.0 72.8 80.2 84.8 86.1 87.4 88.4 86.5 84.5 82.1 81.4
Mean monthly sunshine hours 249.7 249.4 265.1 253.4 226.2 185.4 180.5 162.6 153.5 168.5 170.9 188.6 2,450.4
Source 1: Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology[12]
Source 2: The Yearbook of Indochina (1932-1933)[13]

Culture and heritage

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Coffee

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Although coffee was introduced to Vietnam as early as 1870, in Đắk Lắk, it only began widespread cultivation in the 1930s by the French. The basalt soil in the Central Highlands proved particularly suitable for coffee cultivation, leading to an increase in coffee growing areas. Currently, according to statistics, Đắk Lắk has more than 175,000 hectares of coffee (in reality, over 200,000 hectares, as some areas are not included in the official plan). Đắk Lắk is recognized as having the highest coffee yield in the world, significantly contributing to Vietnam's position as the second largest coffee exporter globally, with robusta coffee ranking first. Almost every district in Đắk Lắk grows coffee, but Buôn Ma Thuột coffee is considered the highest quality with a distinctive flavor, earning the city the title "coffee capital."[14][15]

Buôn Ma Thuột aspires to become a global centre for coffee. The city's unique cultural heritage, combined with its superior coffee production, plays a key role in its position in the international coffee industry, aiming to elevate its status and recognition on the world stage.[16][17][18]

Khải Đoan Pagoda

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Khải Đoan Pagoda, officially named "Sắc tứ Khải Đoan tự," is located in Thong Nhat Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province. It is the largest Buddhist pagoda in the city and one of the largest in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The pagoda holds historical significance as it was the last to receive a royal decree of recognition ("Sắc tứ") from a Vietnamese king.

The pagoda was initiated in 1951 by Queen Mother Hoang Thi Cuc, the principal wife of King Khai Dinh and mother of King Bao Dai. The pagoda was built on land donated by the queen mother, who also contributed most of the construction funds, alongside donations from Buddhist followers and the local community. In 1953, during the completion ceremony of the rear hall, it was officially named "Sắc tứ Khải Đoan" by King Bao Dai, combining the names of King Khai Dinh and Queen Mother Doan Huy.[19][20]

Covering an area of about 4 hectares, Khải Đoan Pagoda features various structures harmoniously integrated with natural landscapes. The main hall, or "chính điện," is the most prominent building, with an area of 320 square meters. It combines the architectural styles of traditional Hue rường houses and the longhouses of the Ede people in the Central Highlands. The main hall houses five altars with bronze Buddha statues and intricately carved wooden bases. Additional structures within the pagoda include the rear hall, bell tower, drum tower, and a library ("tàng kinh các"). The rear hall, similar in structure to the main hall but simpler, contains statues of Quan Am and memorials to past abbots. The bell tower houses a large bronze bell donated by Prince Bao Long and Bao Thang.[20]

Khải Đoan Pagoda serves as a major center for Buddhism in Dak Lak and the Central Highlands, often referred to as the "Great Pagoda" or "Provincial Pagoda." It has been the headquarters of the Buddhist Association of Dak Lak Province since 1986. The pagoda's unique history and architecture make it a significant cultural and religious site, attracting numerous Buddhist followers and visitors to Buon Ma Thuot City.[19]

Coffee festival

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The Buôn Ma Thuột Coffee Festival, held biennially in Buôn Ma Thuột city, Đắk Lắk province, honors coffee, a dominant crop contributing 60% of Vietnam's coffee output. The festival, first organized in 2005, features activities related to coffee production and processing, alongside vibrant cultural and sports events and online transactions with the global market.[21][22][23]

Ngã 6 Ban Mê

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Ngã 6 Ban Mê is the city's center, featuring the Buôn Ma Thuột Victory Monument, symbolizing the city. Initially a roundabout with a threelight pole after liberation, it now hosts a grand monument with a steel tank symbolizing the beginning of the Buôn Ma Thuột battle. In the late 20th century, the victory monument was significantly expanded.[24][25]

Remaining Kơnia tree

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A remaining Kơnia tree is preserved at the Đắk Lắk Cultural Center, a few hundred meters from Ngã 6. The Kơnia tree holds significant spiritual meaning for ethnic minorities, serving as a resting place for spirits and providing shade for workers. Inspired by the famous song "Under the Shadow of the Kơnia Tree," visitors often seek out the tree in Buôn Ma Thuột.[26][27][28]

Buôn Akô Đhông

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Buôn Akô Đhông, also known as Buôn Cô Thôn or Ma Rin, is an Ê Đê village in Buôn Ma Thuột. The village is located by a stream in Buôn Ma Thuột, once an important source of water for the natives. Situated at the end of Trần Nhật Duật street, the well-planned village preserves many traditional values and is a popular tourist destination.[29][30]

Tourist attractions

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Buôn Ma Thuột, the first settlement of Kinh people who migrated to establish Đắk Lắk, hosts most of the province's historical sites, including:

  • World Coffee Museum
  • Trung Nguyên Coffee Village
  • Dray Nur and Dray Sap waterfall
  • Gia Long waterfall
  • Sắc tứ Khải Đoan Pagoda
  • Bản Đôn
  • Trohbu Botanic Garden
  • Lạc Giao Temple
  • Buôn Ma Thuột Prison
  • Lạc Giao Monument
  • Bảo Đại Villa, now the Vietnam Ethnic Groups Museum in Đắk Lắk
  • Bishop's House in Đắk Lắk

[31][32]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Buon Me Thuot" Encyclopædia Britannica (2009 edition) Encyclopædia Britannica Online, accessed 24 September 2009
  2. ^ "Buôn Ma Thuột (District-level City, Đắk Lắk, Vietnam) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  3. ^ "Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of coffee". THE VOICE OF VIETNAM. 2015-04-09. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  4. ^ "Dak Lak – The capital of Vietnamese coffee". Archived from the original on 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  5. ^ Learning, Innovative Language; Com, Vietnamesepod101. Learn Vietnamese (in Vietnamese).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Thu Mua Phế Liệu Buôn Ma Thuột - Giá Cao - Gom Tận Nơi" (in Vietnamese). 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  7. ^ "The process of the formation of Buôn Ma Thuột in DakLak through various historical periods". Daklak Department of Finance. February 17, 2024.
  8. ^ SemiColonWeb; Lắk, Bảo tàng Đắk. "ĐÔI ĐIỀU VỀ TÊN GỌI THÀNH PHỐ BUÔN MA THUỘT". daklakmuseum.vn. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  9. ^ "HOME". www.ttn.edu.vn. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  10. ^ "Tốc độ tăng trưởng tổng sản phẩm tỉnh Đắk Lắk năm 2022 tăng 8,94%". baodaklak.vn. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  11. ^ "Xây dựng Buôn Ma Thuột trở thành đô thị trung tâm vùng Tây Nguyên". khdt.daklak.gov.vn. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  12. ^ "Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology" (PDF).
  13. ^ The Yearbook of Indochina (1932-1933)
  14. ^ "Đắk Lắk - "Thủ phủ" cà-phê Việt Nam". Báo Nhân Dân điện tử (in Vietnamese). 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  15. ^ "Coffee, not roasted or decaffeinated exports by country |2022". wits.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  16. ^ "Buôn Ma Thuột và tầm nhìn Thành phố cà phê của thế giới". Báo điện tử Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  17. ^ ONLINE, TUOI TRE (2023-12-08). "Thủ phủ cà phê Buôn Ma Thuột được Warner Bros. Discovery ca ngợi trên sóng toàn cầu". TUOI TRE ONLINE (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  18. ^ thanhnien.vn (2023-12-08). "Thủ phủ cà phê Buôn Ma Thuột được Warner Bros. Discovery ca ngợi trên sóng toàn cầu". thanhnien.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  19. ^ a b "Sắc Tứ Khải Đoan". laodong.vn (in Vietnamese). 2022-11-10. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  20. ^ a b "Khải Đoan - Ngôi chùa cuối được phong sắc tứ ở Việt Nam". Báo điện tử VTC News (in Vietnamese). 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  21. ^ "Chương trình chi tiết Lễ hội Cà phê Buôn Ma Thuột lần thứ 8 năm 2023 - Chi tiết tin - Trang chủ". daklak.gov.vn. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  22. ^ ONLINE, TUOI TRE (2023-02-03). "Lễ hội cà phê Buôn Ma Thuột năm 2023 có quy mô lớn nhất từ trước đến nay". TUOI TRE ONLINE (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  23. ^ "Lễ hội cà phê Buôn Ma Thuột". mia.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  24. ^ VNPT. "Ngã Sáu Thành phố Buôn Ma Thuột". mydaklak.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  25. ^ "Ngã 6 Buôn Ma Thuột, gương mặt thương hiệu của thành phố vùng cao". mia.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  26. ^ danviet.vn (2022-06-21). "Đứng giữa núi rừng Tây Nguyên, vì sao cây Kơ nia giờ bỗng thành "cây cô đơn" khiến bao người thương nhớ?". danviet.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  27. ^ "Cây kơ nia giống: Loài cây lấy gỗ nhiều ý nghĩa" (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  28. ^ thanhnien.vn (2024-01-12). "Độc đáo cây di sản Việt Nam: Đài quan sát kơ nia". thanhnien.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  29. ^ "Ako Dhong". VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  30. ^ PHONG, BAO BIEN (2023-11-26). "Phát huy giá trị văn hóa truyền thống dân tộc ở Akô Dhông". www.bienphong.com.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  31. ^ "Buon Ma Thuot Vietnam: A comprehensive travel guide". vinpearl.com. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  32. ^ "Buon Ma Thuot Attractions". www.vietjetair.com. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
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