History of Pleiku

I moved to Pleiku nestled in the South Centrail Highlands of Vietnam in 2020. I’ve since been absolutely fascinated in the history of this beautiful, unique town. And the short history is certainly colorful! Established by the French to “pacify” the nearby Jrai and Bahnar people, in the 1960s it became one of the most significant places in the Second Indochina War due to it’s position on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. I research and write about the topics I can find based on American and Vietnamese sources (recommended reading from the Gia Lai Provincial Museum).

Pleiku, Gia Lai, Vietnam

Four Legged Friends at Pleiku Airbase

In 1960, U.S. advisers to the South Vietnamese military initiated a dog program, aiming to use sentry dogs for base protection and scout dogs for tracking the Viet Cong. From 1965 to 1970, Pleiku Airbase, now the airport, employed 26 dogs, humorously nicknamed “Four Footed Radar,”. On October 29th [1965], twenty-five of us received orders…
Painting a Picture of the Pleiku City in 1962: Dusty sun, Muddy rain

In 1962, Pleiku buzzed with the onset of US operations[1]. As the war escalated, this city would transform into a key battleground, changing rapidly in response. But in 1962, Pleiku remained a tranquil oasis for the Republic of Vietnam in the wild highlands. Join me as we journey back in time with photos and quotes…
The Significance of Montagnard Bangles

Jewelry plays a significant role in the cultures of the space of gong culture, including items like beaded bracelets, necklaces, metal belts, jingle bracelets, ear plugs, earrings, and torques. As in most cultures worldwide, this jewelry can be worn for purely aesthetic reasons or can hold deeper meaning for the individual on a personal level…
Pleiku Jackets

The history of the type of jacket called a “Pleiku Jacket” starts in the aftermath of the Second World War. At that time, the remnants of parachute capes found new life as they were transformed by American soldiers into what came to be known as souvenir jackets. These jackets, inspired by baseball jackets of the…
Pleiku Tea – A History

As a self-proclaimed tea nerd, it’s quite an oversight on my part that I haven’t delved into how deeply Pleiku’s identity is steeped in tea until now. Tea production in this region is a cornerstone of Pleiku’s identity today, with roots tracing back to the era of French colonization. Setting the Scene Our tale begins…
Mysterious Tales from the Annamite Highlands

The YouTube algorithm has a knack for surprising me with recommendations for videos I never knew I’d be interested in. A recent suggestion had me watching a fascinating talk on the history of the Pith helmet. Learning about its practical design for sun protection and air circulation, I felt I needed to head to the…