A fond memory from one of our visitors...
Gia Lai, one of the four Tay Nguyen provinces, is
800-1100 meters above sea level in elevation and enjoys
a climate and soil which are highly appropriate for
growing coffee and rubber trees. The climate is
tropical, with two seasons, rainy and dry. Rains begin
in May and run through until October. This is followed
by the dry season which lasts from December until March.
Temperatures run from a low of 13°C to a high of 27°C.
Total land area is 15,495 square km, with a population
in 1998 of 940,000 living on it. Ethnic minorities,
chiefly the Jrai and Bahnar peoples, comprise 47% of the
total population.
Coffee cultivation is estimated to be taking place on
approximately 60,000 hectares of land, of which the
Robusta variety accounts for most under cultivation,
with an annual harvest of 2 - 5 tons of beans per
hectare. Remarkably, and thankfully, Agent Orange was
not sprayed on Gia Lai, Tay Nguyen at any time during
the war.
(Tonle Sap)
Gia Lai shares two international borders, with both
Cambodia and Laos. A good system of roads makes
connections to all points within the province and beyond
convenient.
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Drop
Artist: Huy Tinh - Vietnamese Photographer |
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North of Gia Lai is Quang Nam – Da Nang province
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To the South is Daklak province
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To the East are Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen
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While, to the West one finds the Atopu province of
Laos, and the Ranatakin province of Cambodia
Gia Lai is wonderful tourist destination, particularly
for ecological tours and festival events. Scenic tours
to the Great Lake (Tonleù-Sap Lake), Yaly, the Lower
Ayun with its lakes totaling 10,000 hectares, the Ham
Rong Volcano Crater, our primeval virgin forests, and
the remarkable cultural festivals of the minorities are
high on the list of must see places and things to do.
Communal House |
Gong Association, Tradition Ethnic
Festival In The Highland Gia Lai
Artist:: Huy Tinh |
“Something to Remember and Love"
Happiness
Artist: Huy Tinh |
"One day before leaving Pleiku-Gia Lai, I dropped by Thu
Ha Coffee, a well-known establishment serving coffee in
Pleiku. It is owned by Mr. Ngo Tan Giac who recently
participated in a VTV1 show recommending him and his
popular Thu Ha Coffee packed products as," The Pride of
Pleiku." Sipping the warm coffee and enjoying its bitter
but sweet taste in an outdoor cafe complete with fish
pond and lovely scenery, I feel quite attached and
unable to part …
Suddenly, a familiar song about Pleiku comes on, a warm
and deep voice comes from the cassette player, really
touching my heart, "… someone has to go far away to the
border tomorrow, still having something to remember and
love," but for me it is now time to return to the city.
" (Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper - Nguyen Thu Tuyet -
Dated Tuesday 3/2/1998) |
