The Co Noi Crossroads historical site, Mai Son commune. Photo: PV

Based on archaeological sites found in the province, archaeologists believe that Son La was a place where humans settled very early and was one of the areas of ancient Vietnamese civilization. During the Hung Dynasty, Son La belonged to the Tan Hung region of the Van Lang Kingdom. Through the process of development, the administrative divisions of Son La province also changed.

During the period 1886-1891, when the French colonialists invaded the Northwest region, Son La belonged to Gia Hung prefecture, Hung Hoa province. On February 27, 1892, the Governor-General of Indochina issued a decree establishing the Van Bu sub-military district, with its capital at Van Bu, comprising Van Yen prefecture, with Moc and Phu Yen districts, and Son La prefecture, comprising Son La, Mai Son, Yen, Thuan, Tuan Giao, and Dien Bien districts.

On October 10, 1895, the Governor-General of Indochina issued a decree abolishing the Van Bu sub-military district to establish Van Bu province under the 4th military district, transitioning the military territory to civilian rule. The provincial capital was located in Pa Giang, Hieu Trai commune. This historical moment marks the birth of Van Bu province (now Son La province).

Throughout the thousands of years of Vietnam's history of nation-building and national defense, the people of Son La have consistently demonstrated honesty, gentleness, kindness, and hospitality in their social interactions and relationships; diligence and hard work in labor and production; and patriotism, unity, loyalty, resilience, and bravery in their struggles against foreign invaders. These precious spiritual values ​​have been passed down through countless generations, nurtured, and have become a fine tradition of Son La's culture and people.

At the end of the 19th century, under the brutal rule of French colonialism and its feudal collaborators, the people of Son La, with their patriotism, deep hatred of the enemy, and spirit of unity, bravery, and resilience, repeatedly rose up alongside the entire nation to fight and defend their country, homeland, and villages.

On February 3, 1930, the Communist Party of Vietnam was founded, marking a great historical turning point in the national liberation struggle. Under the Party's leadership, revolutionary movements against the colonial and feudal regimes continuously erupted. In an attempt to suppress the revolutionary movement, the French colonialists relentlessly hunted, terrorized, and arrested communist fighters, establishing numerous prisons to confine and terrorize them. At the end of 1930, the French exiled many steadfast revolutionary fighters of the Party to Son La Prison, with the intention of using the remote, rugged mountains and harsh climate – a place of "sacred forests and poisonous waters" – to destroy the physical, mental, and fighting spirit of the Vietnamese communists. However, it was from this dark prison that the communist fighters transformed the prison into a revolutionary school. At the end of December 1939, the Son La Prison Party Branch was established, marking a turning point in the political struggle in Son La. From this point on, the revolutionary light from the Son La Prison Party Cell spread, profoundly influencing all strata of the population, leading to the establishment of the first two revolutionary organizations in Muong La and the provincial capital; the revolutionary movement quickly spread to other areas in the province. By early 1945, the entire province had more than 60 revolutionary bases in various districts, creating a solid foundation for a successful uprising to seize revolutionary power when the time was ripe.

National historical site of the 52nd Tay Tien Regiment. Photo: PV

On August 14, 1945, the Japanese fascists declared unconditional surrender to the Allies. Seizing the opportunity, from August 23, the uprising to seize power began in the districts of Muong La, Mai Son, Yen Chau, Thuan Chau... By August 25, 1945, the revolutionary uprising to seize power in the provincial capital was victorious. On August 26, 1945, at a rally, Comrade Chu Van Thinh, Chairman of the Provincial Viet Minh Committee, on behalf of the Provisional Revolutionary Committee of Son La province, declared before all the people of all ethnic groups: The uprising to seize revolutionary power was completely victorious, abolishing the colonial and feudal regimes, establishing a revolutionary government; calling on the people of all ethnic groups to unite, be equal, and help each other build their lives, support the Government, and support the Viet Minh.

Having just seized power, our country had to confront over 200,000 Kuomintang troops from the North who poured into our country under the guise of Allied forces disarming the Japanese army, but in reality, they plotted to crush the fledgling government and invade our country. In Son La, on August 31, 1945, Kuomintang troops, acting in the name of the Allies, attacked and destroyed the revolutionary government. Meanwhile, French troops from the Chinese border occupied the provincial capital of Lai Chau and Upper Laos, then advanced down to Son La with the intention of seizing the entire Northwest region as quickly as possible. The army and people of Son La, along with the rest of the nation, continued the struggle to defend the government, engaging in a long and arduous resistance against French colonialism.

Despite facing countless difficulties and challenges, under the leadership and guidance of the Central Party Committee, and with the persistent efforts and heroic fighting spirit of cadres, Party members, and people of all ethnic groups, from the end of 1947, the resistance movement in the province was gradually consolidated and grew stronger, developing widely. In September 1952, the Politburo and President Ho Chi Minh decided to launch the Northwest Liberation Campaign. Under the leadership of the Party Committee, the army and people of all ethnic groups in the province enthusiastically participated in preparing the battlefield, organizing transportation and supplying food and provisions well, strengthening coordination with the main army units to fight and destroy the enemy and advance to liberate Son La; preparing forces to take over the liberated areas. On November 22, 1952, Son La province was liberated, becoming a historical milestone, marking a glorious period of revolutionary struggle. From then on, the people of all ethnic groups in Son La province lived in independence and freedom. The oppressive and exploitative regimes of imperialism and feudalism were abolished, and the revolutionary government was established and gradually consolidated.

After liberation, efforts to consolidate the government, propagate and mobilize the people to increase production and build a new life, and contribute manpower and resources to the Dien Bien Phu campaign were intensified. Facing the insidious sabotage plots and brutal attacks of the enemy, the people of Son La province, undeterred by sacrifice and hardship, worked day and night crossing mountain passes and streams to transport food and ammunition for the troops participating in the campaign. On May 7, 1954, after 56 days and nights of fighting, the Dien Bien Phu campaign achieved complete victory, ending the arduous resistance war against French colonialism. Son La province successfully fulfilled its role as the direct rear base of the strategic decisive battle, contributing to the glorious Dien Bien Phu victory that shook the world, creating a glorious chapter in history. Throughout the province, 20 collectives and 6 individuals were awarded or posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Armed Forces during the resistance war against French colonialism. The Lao Kho revolutionary base area was built by the State and classified as a national historical relic.

On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 1959), President Ho Chi Minh and the Central Committee delegation visited the Thai-Miao Autonomous Region in Son La. He instructed: “I hope that the people, soldiers, and cadres of the Autonomous Region, who have already united, will become even more united; who have already competed, will compete even more... Today, the people, soldiers, and cadres must unite and strive together to achieve an even greater victory: to completely eradicate hunger and illiteracy, to ensure everyone is well-fed, literate, and enjoys happiness and peace...” These heartfelt teachings of President Ho Chi Minh are of special importance, creating a powerful force of national unity, bringing light and strength to motivate and encourage the people of Son La and the Northwest region to advance in the struggle for national independence, and in building and defending the Fatherland.

Tourists visit the Son La Prison National Special Historical Site. Photo: Ha Hoa

From 1965 to 1972, the US imperialists waged a war of destruction against North Vietnam, including a plot to annihilate Son La province. The people of the province, united under the leadership of the Party, actively fought and supported the war effort while simultaneously boosting production and providing manpower and resources to the Southern front, with the spirit of: "All for our beloved South," and "Not a single grain of rice is lacking, not a single soldier is lacking." Under the close leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, the army and people of Son La organized creative and heroic battles, achieving victory from the very first battle. Local anti-aircraft units and militia shot down 54 American enemy aircraft, earning the "Determination to Defeat the American Invaders" rotating flag from President Ho Chi Minh, and the State awarded the Second Class Independence Medal to the army and people of Son La. From 1965 to 1974, the entire province sent 10,949 young men to join the army, accounting for 2.7% of the province's population; shot down 76 American enemy aircraft; and captured 60 commando and reconnaissance units. They successfully completed their international mission to the Lao revolution, contributing to the great victory in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, liberating the entire South and unifying the country on April 30, 1975.

In recognition of their immense contributions to the resistance war against the US and for national salvation, the Party and State have bestowed many high honors upon the Party Committee, military, and people of Son La province. Among these, 9 units and 5 individuals were posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces during the resistance war against the US and for national salvation; 4 individuals and 4 collectives were awarded the title of Hero of Labor. The Party and Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic awarded the Freedom Order – the highest honor – to the Party Committee, military, and people of Son La province...

Son La has become a land of revolutionary history, bearing the imprint of the glorious and heroic revolutionary traditions of the nation. Currently, the province has many revolutionary historical sites, such as the Son La Prison National Special Monument in To Hieu Ward; the Moc Ha and Muong Chanh revolutionary base areas; the Vietnam-Laos revolutionary base area; Co Noi Crossroads; Na San stronghold; General Vo Nguyen Giap's forest; the Tay Tien Regiment historical site... These are important locations for educating future generations about revolutionary traditions.

The fine historical and cultural traditions and glorious revolutionary history have been and continue to be solid spiritual foundations, creating strong motivation and important intrinsic strength for Son La to integrate into the historical flow of the entire Vietnamese nation, strongly arousing patriotism, self-reliance, self-improvement, and the aspiration to build a prosperous and happy country.../.