Son La

Son La is a mountainous province in the North West of Vietnam. This province covers an area of 14,125 km². It borders Lai Chau, Yen Bai provinces to the North; Phu Tho and Hoa Binh to the East; Dien Bien province to the West; Thanh Hoa Province and Lao People's Democratic Republic country to the south. The province has 12 administrative units (1 city, 11 districts).

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The topography of Son La province is divided into different ecological features. Son La has two high plateaus Moc Chau plateau and Na San plateau. Moc Chau Plateau has an average elevation of 1,050 m above sea level, characterized by temperate climate, fertile soil, favorable for growing tea, fruit trees and dairy farming. Na Vi plateau has an average elevation of 800 m, runs along the National Highway 6, fertile land is favorable for growing sugarcane, coffee, mulberry, mango, longan, pineapple...

Son La has a tropical monsoon climate in the mountains. It is cold and dry in winter, hot and humid in summer. The terrain is deeply and strongly divided, forming many sub-climates that allow the development of a rich agro-forestry production. Moc Chau plateau is suitable for temperate plants and animals. The area along the Da River is suitable for growing tropical forest trees all year round.

The climate of Son La is divided into two distinct seasons, dry and rainy. The average annual temperature is 21,40C (the highest monthly average is 27degree C, the lowest is 16 degree C). Annual rainfall is 1,200 - 1,600 mm, average air humidity is 81%.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Son La is located in the northwestern tour route, Hanoi - Hoa Binh - Son La - Dien Bien - Lao Cai and is the gateway to Northern provinces of The Lao People's Democratic Republic. Situated in the northwestern touristic route, Moc Chau is the main gate linking the Northwest with the Hanoi capital, the North Delta and has outstanding comparative advantages in terms of location, climate and landscape. This land owns many natural gifts and special cultural features. The approval by the Prime Minister of the National Tourism Planning will create favorable conditions for Moc Chau to become a key tourist destination of the whole country until 2020. Son La also has attractive places for visitors including the special national historical monument: Son La prison; historical relic of Que Lam Ngu Che - where marks the writing of King Le Thai Tong in 1440, Son La Hydropower with a beautiful, wild, and mysterious culture of water. Because of this reason, we organize many motorbike tours Vietnam through this scenic area each year.

Son La is also well known by the special culture of 12 ethnic groups with unique festivals such as: Moi festivals, Ban flower festivals, Xip Xi festivals, Praying for Rain festival…; and folk games such as: boat racing, crossbow shooting, pulling stick,...; Xoe dancing, Xap dancing, umbrella dancing,... Visitors will not forget the taste of traditional dishes which have been preserved until today by the local.