Many tourists visit Bach Long Glass Bridge - Moc Chau Island Tourist Area.

Conclusion No. 94-KL/TU has become an important turning point, creating a solid legal basis, opening a new chapter for the development of Son La tourism. Strategic projects have been implemented synchronously and drastically, "paving the way" for tourism development. Among them, it is necessary to mention the planning of Son La province for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister. In parallel, there is the planning of Moc Chau National Tourist Area, the planning of the area along the Da River reservoir, the planning of tourist areas and spots in Ta Xua, Pha Din Pass...

Tourism in Son La hydroelectric reservoir is increasingly flourishing.

Mr. Tran Xuan Viet, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: The Department has focused on completing and exceeding the progress of many targets set out in the Resolution of the 15th Provincial Party Congress. The focus is on building and improving the quality of tourism products, building human resources to meet both quantity and quality, affirming the image of Son La tourism with rich identity, not only domestically but also on the international tourism map.

Launching smart tourism software Son La Tour. Photo: PV

Infrastructure is considered the "backbone" of the tourism industry and has received strong investment from the province, with an important highlight being the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau Expressway Project, the section through Son La, which started construction 73 days earlier than planned. In the 2021-2025 period, the province has allocated more than VND 1,149 billion to implement 14 tourism infrastructure projects. In addition, Resolution No. 41/2022/NQ-HDND dated August 31, 2022 of the Provincial People's Council on supporting tourism development in the 2022-2026 period has been specified into 4 policy groups: Tourism product development; promotion; human resource development and support for community tourism development.

Tourism promotion and promotion work has been implemented systematically and creatively by all levels and sectors of the province with many practical solutions, such as: Organizing photo and video clip creation contests, designing tourism logos and slogans; organizing a series of events "Colors of Son La - Northwest" in major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Laos... In particular, Son La pioneered the application of digital transformation in the tourism sector through the construction of digital maps, digitizing tourist areas and spots, and applying 360-degree virtual reality technology. The launch of the "Son La Tour" application is an important milestone, contributing to building the image of Son La tourism as professional, smart and friendly to tourists.

Son La Cultural Tourism Festival in Da Nang. Photo: Hoang Giang

Mr. Vu Xuan Nguyen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of IGB Joint Stock Company (IGB Group), the software provider, shared: "Son La Tour" was promptly researched and built to meet the requirements of reorganizing the new government apparatus, making Son La province one of the first localities to pioneer the implementation of comprehensive digital transformation of tourism according to the 2-level local government model.

Son La tourism has recorded many outstanding achievements, completing and finishing one year ahead of schedule two major goals set by the Resolution of the 15th Provincial Party Congress, namely Moc Chau National Tourist Area being recognized in 2024; Son La Hydropower Reservoir Area being officially included in the national tourism system planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045. In particular, Moc Chau National Tourist Area has been continuously honored by the World Travel Awards as "Asia's Leading Regional Natural Destination" and for two consecutive years has been recognized as "The World's Leading Regional Natural Destination".

Agricultural tourism attracts tourists at Moc Chau National Tourist Area.

Up to now, Son La has 626 accommodation establishments, 15 recognized tourist areas and spots, including 1 national tourist area; 1 provincial tourist area and 13 provincial tourist spots. Forming 5 main tourism product groups: Eco-agricultural tourism; cultural-historical tourism; community tourism; resort, entertainment and health care tourism; sports, conference, seminar and culinary tourism. The direct labor force in the tourism sector is currently more than 7,000 people, of which 60% have been trained. It is expected that by the end of 2025, Son La will welcome 5.3 million visitors, more than 3 times higher than in 2020; tourism revenue is estimated at 6,300 billion VND, more than 5 times higher than in 2020.

The above results are clear evidence of political determination and correct policies that have created a strong breakthrough, gradually turning Son La tourism into a key economic sector of the province; affirming its brand, becoming an attractive destination on the tourism arc of the Northwest region.

Tourists visit Ban Ang Pine Forest Tourist Area.