Gia Lai province
Province in Central Highlands, Vietnam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gia Lai is a province in the Central Highlands and South Central Coast region of Vietnam, at an average altitude of 700 - 800 m above sea level with an area of convert 21,576.53 km2, and an average population of 3,583,693 people (2025).[4] It borders Quảng Ngãi in the northeast, Đắk Lắk in the south and Ratanakiri of Cambodia in the west.
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Gia Lai | |
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   Clockwise from top left:
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 Location in Vietnam | |
 Interactive map of Gia Lai | |
| Coordinates: 13°45′N 108°15′E | |
| Country |  Vietnam |
| Region | Central Highlands |
| Capital | Quy Nhon |
| Government | |
| • People's Council Chair | Dương Văn Trang |
| • People's Committee Chair | Phạm Thế Dũng |
| Area | |
• Total | 21,576.53 km2 (8,330.74 sq mi) |
| Population (2025) | |
• Total | 4,182,700 |
| • Density | 193.85/km2 (502.08/sq mi) |
| Demographics | |
| • Ethnicities | 39, including Kinh, Yagrai, Bahnar, M'nam, Jeh-Tariang |
| GDP[2] | |
| • Total | VND 66.158 trillion US$ 2.873 billion |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Area codes | 269 (from 17 Jun 2017) 59 (until 16 Jul 2017) |
| ISO 3166 code | VN-30 |
| HDI (2020) |  0.663[3](56th) |
| Website | gialai |
As of 2025, Gia Lai province is the 18th most populous administrative unit in Vietnam with a population of 4,182,700 people. It ranks 30th in terms of Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), 33rd in per capita GRDP, and 33rd in GRDP growth rate. In 2020, the GRDP reached 80,000.32 billion VND, with a per capita GRDP of 51.9 million VND and a GRDP growth rate of 8.00%.[5]
Under Resolution 202/2025/QH15, a restructuring took place in 2025, with the former Gia Lai and Bình Định provinces officially merged into one single administrative unit. The unified province retained the name Gia Lai. This merger created Vietnam's second-largest province, covering over 21,576 km2 with a population exceeding 3.5 million people. The administrative center is located in Quy Nhơn (the former capital of Bình Định), while Pleiku remains a cultural and economic hub.[6]
Name
Its name Gia-lai or Giá-rai in Kinh language from an ancient name Yăgrai in Jarai language. It was often known as "the water dragon" what is the official name of Jarai people. However, it was also the title of Po Klaung Yăgrai, who was worshiped by Jarai clans during thousands years. According to the indigenous tradition, the Jarai community often organizes the festival to honor his unexpected attack on the Khmer empire. This area is still thought to be a pedal and a logistics gathering place to serve the glorious victory.
Transport
The province has 2 airports:
- Phu Cat Airport (serving Quy Nhon city)
- Pleiku Airport (serving Pleiku)
Ethnic groups
- Kinh: 814,056
- Tay: 11,412
- Thai: 5,440
- Hoa: 515
- Khmer: 326
- Muong: 8,283
- Nung: 12,420
- Mong: 3,386
- Dao: 4,825
- Gia Rai: 459,738
- Ngai: 32
- E De: 904
- Ba Na: 189,367
- Xo Dang: 964
- San Chay: 388
- Co Ho: 23
- Cham: 759
- San Diu: 133
- Hre: 278
- Mnong: 45
- Raglay: 19
- Xtieng: 12
- Bru Van Kieu: 12
- Tho: 204
- Giay: 12
- Co Tu: 21
- Gie Trieng: 70
- Ma: 2
- Kho Mu: 60
- Co: 46
- Ta Oi: 8
- Cho Ro: 13
- Khang: 3
- Xinh Mun: –
- Ha Nhi: 1
- Chu Ru: 6
- Lao: –
- La Chi: 1
- La Ha: –
- Phu La: –
- La Hu: 2
- Lu: 1
- Lo Lo: –
- Chut: 6
- Mang: 1
- Pa Then: 2
- Co Lao: 16
- Cong: –
- Bo Y: 1
- Si La: –
- Pu Peo: –
- Brau: –
- O Du: –
- Ro Mam: 3
- Aboard: 20
- Unknown: 11
Demographics
History of population development in Gia Lai province over the years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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