Place

The Rise of Hanoi’s Visionary: Building Lam Dong from the Ground Up

12 June, 2025

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THE HANOI CHRONICLE — On a misty morning in late March 1976, eighteen-year-old Do Thanh Hang’s heart raced as she stood outside her Xuan Non, Dong Anh District home. Clutched in her hand was a small duffel bag and a faded photo of Hanoi, symbolizing her entire previous life. That day, she heeded the urgent call from the Party and youth organizations to leave her beloved capital and embark on a 1,600-kilometer journey to the Central Highlands, with the mission to build a new economic region in Lam Dong.

“Although I was young and unsure of what awaited me, I was eager to take on this adventure,” Hang reminisces today, now almost 70 years old. “My family supported my decision, and we all believed in the importance of what we were doing.”

Hang’s story resonates with thousands of others from Hanoi in the spring of 1976. The Central Highlands, once a war-torn land scarred by conflict, became their collective mission. Reclaiming wild land, carving out fields and homes, and forging a thriving community were the goals that united them.

On March 29, 1976, the first group of youthful pioneers departed from Gia Lam District, Hanoi. Over 120 volunteers embarked on a journey to survey and clear the Nam Ban area. They were soon joined by teams from Tu Liem, Dong Anh, Thanh Tri, and Hanoi’s inner districts, all stepping into an unfamiliar highland world.

Hanoi’s young trailblazers lay the foundations for a new homeland in Lam Dong. File Photo/Trong Tung

Hoa Van Viet, an eighteen-year-old from Phu Thuong (formerly Tu Liem), vividly recalls the journey. “We hacked our way through forests, trekked for thousands of kilometers, and battled malaria, sand flies, and wild animals,” he recounts. “We constructed straw-and-bamboo shelters, cleared land, and planted corn, cassava, and sweet potatoes. Our breakfasts for days consisted of corn grits, and it was only later, once irrigation was established, that we could cultivate rice.”

The greatest threat they faced wasn’t hunger but the lingering dangers of war. Landmines, old ammunition, and groups like the Fulro, anti-government remnants, lurked at every turn. “We took turns guarding our camps at night and created secret signals to warn of Fulro incursions,” shares Dao Van Phuc, a native of Gia Lam District, born in 1960.

“Some of our comrades made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the region, but their bravery inspired us to carry on,” Phuc added.

By late 1977, the initial wave of approximately 2,350 pioneers had laid the groundwork for transformation. They carved rudimentary roads through the jungle, erected temporary homes, clinics, and schools, dug wells, and established basic communications.

In October 1979, Hanoi’s city government formed a “Welcome Committee” for settlers in Lan Tranh, located within the Nam Ban region. Within six months, nearly 1,000 workers from Hanoi had joined this burgeoning community.

Driven by propaganda and a sense of solidarity, another 5,124 families, totaling 23,665 individuals, made the journey from Hanoi to Lam Dong over the next few years. Of these, 10,000 volunteers dedicated themselves to agricultural and construction labor. Despite facing challenges such as disease, isolation, and scarce resources, their determination remained unwavering.

Remarkably, only around 5% of the settlers ultimately returned to Hanoi, a significantly lower abandonment rate compared to other economic-new regions across the nation, which saw a 27% rate. Those who stayed in Lam Dong found stable employment and opportunities that surpassed what they had left behind.

Hanoi’s youth build homes in Lam Dong. File Photo

Infrastructure and Industry

By the early 1980s, the newly established Lam Ha District was thriving. Collective and state-run enterprises replaced the initial tents:

5,539 hectares of land cleared
5,212 houses constructed
276 kilometers of roads and 29 bridges built
12 irrigation projects and 1,288 wells dug
Formation of 3 state farms, 1 silkworm breeding station, 13 cooperatives, and over a dozen small enterprises

This remarkable transformation, from jungles to farms and from poverty to stability, was a testament to the power of creative labor, local authority support, and the unwavering resolve of thousands of young volunteers.

Sowing the Seeds of Unity, Reaping the Fruits of Prosperity

The impact of this movement extended far beyond Lam Dong, as the cultural influence of Hanoi remained strong. The discipline, civic spirit, and language of the capital shaped the norms of this new community. The joint leadership of Hanoi and Lam Dong provincial authorities facilitated political, economic, and security development, setting a blueprint for enduring growth.

Phan Huu Gian, former Deputy Director of the Hanoi New‑Region Committee in Lam Dong, reflected on these achievements as “an essential foundation.” He highlighted how the project strengthened the area’s political, economic, and security capabilities, paving the way for Lam Ha to become a stable, well-organized, and flourishing district.

After 1979, most of the pioneers returned to Hanoi to resume their studies, civil service careers, or jobs. However, 249 individuals chose to build their careers and lives in Lam Ha. Some of them ascended to leadership positions in agriculture, education, and local government, continuing to shape the region’s future.

Today, these former youth pioneers gather for tea in humble homes, along village roads, and at district halls. Their conversations weave a narrative of resilience and triumph over adversity.

With support from Hanoi’s youth, many barren lands in Lam Dong have been transformed into thriving rice and vegetable farming areas. File Photo

Nguyen Thi Mao, Head of the Liaison Committee of Hanoi’s youth pioneers in Lam Dong, recalled the challenges they faced. “Many of our comrades were seriously injured, and some even lost their lives during the effort to build and defend the new economic zone,” she shared. “However, instead of deterring us, these sacrifices fueled our determination to persevere, overcome obstacles, and ensure the success of the Hanoi New Economic Zone in Lam Dong.”

“We drank stream water, foraged for food in the forest, and slept in tents,” Mao continued, “but those hardships only made our bonds stronger, and those memories remain the brightest from our youth.”

Their shared history, marked by disease, landmines, and Fulro ambushes, was a testament to their resilience and unity. It brought tragedy and sacrifice, but it also forged an unbreakable bond and a lasting legacy.

Nearly half a century later, Lam Ha stands as a symbol of collective will, solidarity, and visionary transformation. From forest to farmland, from tent settlements to thriving townships, and from hardship to prosperity, it encapsulates the promise of Vietnam’s post-war reconstruction.

However, its most significant legacy is the human one. The young pioneers who answered the call carried with them the beliefs and culture of Hanoi, planting seeds that grew into institutions, vibrant communities, and fulfilling lives. They demonstrated that an idea rooted not in capital, but in courage and solidarity, has the power to shape a new reality.

Today, the children and grandchildren of these pioneers call Lam Ha home. The schools, fields, clinics, and roads they utilize are reminders of the sacrifices made and the optimism that fueled this journey. The land remembers its builders, and the hands that worked it half a century ago continue to tend it with pride.