Son La Province
- Area: 14,055 sq. km.
- Population: 988,500 habitants (2005).
- Capital: Son La Town.
- Districts: Quynh Nhai, Muong La, Thuan Chau, Phu Yen, Bac Yen, Mai Son, Song Ma, Yen Chau, Moc Chau, Sop Cop.
- Ethnic groups: Dao, Thai, Viet (Kinh), H’Mong, Muong.
Son La province is a northwestern mountainous province. It has two large plateaus also named Son La and Moc Chau, and an immense area of crop fields. The rest consists of valleys, high hills and mountains, Son La province borders Laos to the south. The province is co-inhabited by various ethnic groups: the Xa, H’Mong, Dao, Muong, Kinh, Kh’Mu, Tay, Thai and so on. The Thai is the largest single ethnic group. Eighty percent of the province’s natural area is covered with mountains. Son La connects Hoa Binh by National Highway No. 6, Yen Bai by Highway No.37, Lao Cai by Highway No.279. Son La Town is 328km from Hanoi. In Na San Airport, Vietnam Airlines has daily flight from Hanoi to Son La. Annual average temperature is about 21ºC.
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Attractions |
Moc Chau Plateau
Moc Chau Plateau is 199km from Hanoi along National Highway 6. The plateau is about 1,000m above sea level and around 80km long and 25km wide. The area of the grass-field accounts for more than 14,000ha and is suitable for animal husbandry, tea planting and other agriculture. Moc Chau tea factory was set up here to produce black tea for export and for domestic consumption. Thousands of pure-bred and crossbred cows from the Netherlands are raised on the Moc Chau state-run farm, established in 1958. They provide fresh milk to Hanoi and to other provinces for producing tinned milk, yoghurt and other milk products.
Tham Tet Toong Grotto
Tham Tet Toong Grotto is a wonder of nature. The cave is more than 150m long. Above the cave are mountains and vast forests. Along the walls of the cave, there are numerous stalactites and stalagmites that sparkle in the morning sunshine. Flowing inside is a stream with white waterfalls.Son La Former Prison and Museum
Son La Provincial Museum is located in the centre of Son La Town, 328km from Hanoi. The Son La Provincial Museum was originally a penitentiary built by the French in 1908; thousands of Vietnamese patriots were imprisoned here. At first, it was only a small provincial prison. But between 1930 and 1945, thousands of Vietnamese patriots were imprisoned here. Key individuals who later became main leaders of the Revolution for National Liberation were incarcerated in the Son La Prison. In 1962, it was classified by the Ministry of Culture as one of the numerous revolutionary heritage sites in the Vietnam.The penitentiary was partially rebuilt after 1952 bombings and visitors can visit the subterraneous tiny cells with food-serving hatches and leg irons. The museum also exhibits precious objects introducing the historical and cultural traditions of 12 ethnic groups living in Son La Province. Son La Provincial Museum welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every year.
