In 1904 Dak Lak Province was established by the French and Buon Ma Thuot was selected as the provincial administrative center, rather than the trading center of Don on the Srepok River. Buon Ma Thuot was originally settled by the Ê Đê, but due to the incoming Viêt settlement after the Vietnam War and the active acculturation policy, less than 15% (around 40,000) are still Montagnards
