The goal is for Son La province to become a rapidly, comprehensively, sustainably, and equitably developed province by 2030.

The planning scope covers the entire territory of Son La province with 12 district-level administrative units: Son La City and 11 districts (Van Ho, Moc Chau, Yen Chau, Mai Son, Muong La, Thuan Chau, Quynh Nhai, Song Ma, Sop Cop, Phu Yen and Bac Yen).

The overall goal is to strive to make Son La province a rapidly developing, comprehensive, sustainable, and equitable province by 2030. The aim is to make the province one of the relatively developed provinces in the Northern Midlands and Mountains region, a center of the Northwest sub-region; a key tourism hub of the Vietnam-Laos border region and the Northern Midlands and Mountains region; and a center for agricultural product processing in the Northern Midlands and Mountains region. It aims for convenient connections with major socio-economic centers of the region, the country, the international region within the Mekong sub-region, neighboring countries, and ASEAN. The goal is to strengthen national defense, security, and foreign relations; protect independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity; maintain a peaceful and stable environment, contributing to the development of the region and the country.

Son La's development continues to become a multi-sectoral province, encompassing industry, services, agriculture, urban areas, and rural areas. High-tech agriculture; eco-tourism, cultural and historical tourism; smart cities and new rural areas rich in identity are key focuses; green industries and large-scale urban systems are top priorities. The province aims to develop a comprehensive infrastructure system; maintain close development linkages with neighboring provinces in the region and nationwide; ensure environmental sustainability, and effectively respond to climate change.

The average growth rate of Son La province for the entire period 2021-2030 is expected to exceed 8%.

Specific economic targets and indicators include an average growth rate of over 8% for the entire period 2021-2030; average GRDP per capita reaching over 60 million VND/person by 2025 and approximately 100-120 million VND/person by 2030; state budget revenue in the area reaching over 6,250 billion VND by 2025 and over 8,000 billion VND by 2030; total social investment capital reaching over 120,000 billion VND for the period 2021-2025 and over 150,000 billion VND for the period 2026-2030; the digital economy reaching approximately 10-15% of GRDP by 2025 and 20-30% of GRDP by 2030. The urbanization rate across the province is projected to reach approximately 20.6% by 2025 and 25.8% by 2030.

Regarding socio-cultural aspects: The Human Development Index (HDI) reached 0.7; average life expectancy reached over 75 years, with healthy life expectancy exceeding 68 years; the multidimensional poverty rate decreased by an average of 2-3% per year; the proportion of trained workers reached over 60% by 2025 and over 70% by 2030; the proportion of workers with degrees and certificates reached approximately 30% by 2025 and over 40% by 2030; the proportion of rural population with access to clean water meeting standards reached approximately 50% by 2025 and approximately 60% by 2030.

Regarding the environment: The forest cover rate will reach 48.5% by 2025 and stabilize at 50% by 2030; the percentage of industrial parks and clusters complying with environmental protection regulations will reach 100%.

By 2050, Son La aims to be a key development hub in the Northwest region; possessing a synchronously and modernly developed infrastructure system; and an economic foundation capable of competing with other provinces in the region and nationwide. The urban system will develop strategically, with a focus on forming large cities connected to urban green belts, acting as drivers for socio-economic development and territorial balance, based on exploiting the advantages of the high mountainous areas, the Da River reservoir area, and the Moc Chau plateau for agricultural and tourism development. The economy will develop stably, sustainably, and equitably; growing at a steadily increasing rate; meeting social indicators increasingly better; efficiently utilizing natural resources and growth resources; having a green-oriented production and social living space, adapting to climate change; having a dynamic investment environment; and ensuring political security, national defense, and social order and safety.

Developing high-tech agriculture and forestry.

Regarding the development direction of the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector, the Plan clearly states that the sector should be built towards a high-value, modern, and sustainable agricultural economy producing commodities; focusing on developing key products and characteristic products with potential, advantages, and large production volumes; linking with other sectors to create mutual support in the supply and consumption of products, machinery, and materials; and linking with rural development to improve income, quality of life, the role and status of farmers, create more jobs, and reduce poverty sustainably. The target growth rate for the sector is approximately 5.5-6.5% during the 2021-2025 period and approximately 3.5-4.5% during the 2026-2030 period.

Developing high-tech agriculture and forestry; developing strong agricultural products and participating in national agricultural value chains such as: coffee, tea, sugarcane, macadamia nuts, fruit trees, vegetables, medicinal herbs; developing product groups participating in agricultural value chains for local consumption such as: food crops (vegetables, tubers, fruits, flowers, mushrooms...), staple crops (rice, corn, potatoes, cassava...), other fruit trees for local consumption or as feed for poultry, livestock, large animals, aquaculture...; developing organic farming; developing circular agriculture.

Focus on developing production forests; improve livelihoods for ethnic minority communities and other beneficiaries through forest environmental service fees; continue to effectively implement policies on investment in forest protection and development, policies on payment for forest environmental services, and sustainable forestry development programs; develop all three types of forests comprehensively in terms of economics, society, and environment.

Regarding industry, priority will be given to attracting investment in infrastructure development for industrial zones, clusters, and craft villages, as well as attracting industrial production projects that leverage the advantages of each locality. The focus will be on developing renewable energy industries, agricultural and forestry product processing, food processing, medicinal herbs, building materials production, mineral extraction and processing, labor-intensive industries, and small-scale handicrafts. The application of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in industrial production will be promoted; the proportion of raw materials will be reduced, while the proportion of deeply processed products, modern, environmentally friendly technologies, and production based on circular, green, clean, and sustainable technologies will be increased. The goal is to achieve an average annual growth rate of 11% or higher for the industry during the 2021-2030 period.

Complete the list of 05 types of tourism products.

Regarding tourism, the goal is to develop sustainable tourism with diversified products, striving to make it a key economic sector by 2030, contributing 10%-13% to the province's GRDP; welcoming approximately 12,200 thousand visitors (including about 365 thousand international visitors and 11,835 thousand domestic visitors); and becoming a safe and attractive destination in the northern midland and mountainous region, the whole country, and internationally. The plan aims to complete five types of tourism products (ecotourism, agricultural tourism; cultural and historical tourism; community tourism; resort, entertainment, and health tourism; and thematic tourism with synchronized and modern infrastructure). The plan also continues to build upon and develop three key tourism areas: Son La City and its surroundings; Moc Chau National Tourist Area linked to the Moc Chau and surrounding tourism region; and the Da River Reservoir National Tourist Area. Furthermore, it aims to develop intra-provincial, inter-provincial, and international tourism routes.

Developing four economic zones

The plan clearly states that socio-economic activities in Son La will be organized according to the spatial development model of "four economic zones, two growth poles, and six development corridors".

Specifically, the four economic zones include: (i) the urban and National Highway 6 zone comprising Son La City, Mai Son District, and Thuan Chau District, which is the main driving force of the province with Son La City as the central hub; (ii) the Moc Chau plateau and surrounding areas, including Moc Chau, Van Ho, and Yen Chau districts, which is the main driving force of the province and is identified as a counterweight to the central hub of Son La City; (iii) the Da River reservoir and basin zone, including Quynh Nhai, Muong La, Bac Yen, and Phu Yen districts, which is the secondary driving force of the province; the towns of It Ong, Quynh Nhai, Phu Yen, Bac Yen, and the Da River reservoir tourism area are identified as the satellite hubs of the province; (iv) the border highland zone, including Song Ma and Sop Cop districts, which is the secondary driving force of the province; the growth poles of the region are Song Ma town, Sop Cop town, and Chieng Khuong border gate, which are the satellite hubs of the province…

Tue Van
Source: Government Electronic Information Portal.