Son La is gradually asserting its direction of developing green agriculture linked with ecotourism as a strategy suitable to the local potential and advantages. Experiential ecotourism models in Son La not only create economic value but also form attractive spaces for tourists.

Many localities have combined production with sightseeing, fruit picking, enjoying agricultural products in the orchards, learning about farming processes and the cultural life of ethnic minorities. This contributes to increasing farmers' income, diversifying tourism products, and simultaneously contributing to the preservation of landscapes, ecosystems, and the identity of the highlands. According to statistics, the province currently has over 85,000 hectares of fruit trees, more than 91,000 hectares of industrial crops; and over 24,300 hectares of coffee, becoming the largest Arabica coffee growing region in the country.

In addition, over 6,000 hectares of concentrated tea plantations have created a green agricultural ecosystem, fostering and developing attractive ecotourism and experiential tourism. The value of Son La's agriculture lies not only in production volume; in recent years, the province has been focusing on quality and sustainable linkages among the "four stakeholders" (the State, businesses, scientists, and farmers).

Agricultural cooperatives play a pivotal role in organizing production according to VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards, and building brands. From here, concentrated production areas and production chains are formed, linked to the development of typical agricultural products, OCOP products, and exports. Successful models have attracted the attention of those wanting to learn about agriculture and have gradually become attractive destinations for tourists from near and far. At Moc Chau National Tourist Area, visitors not only visit but also get to experience being farmers, picking VietGAP strawberries and oranges in orchards in Moc Chau and Van Son; visiting the Na Ka and Mu Nau plum valleys during the season when the trees are in full bloom or when the fruit is ripe;...

Besides tourist destinations, agricultural tourism services are being developed, and events associated with the flowering and fruiting seasons have become a "specialty" of Son La, a land of sweet fruits all year round, attracting tourists. Along with that are hundreds of OCOP products and typical, characteristic agricultural products...

All of this is creating a unique agricultural landscape in Son La, intertwined with the region's distinct culture. Agricultural tourism is thus taking shape and developing into one of the five main types of tourism (including: ecotourism and agriculture; cultural and historical tourism; community tourism; resort, entertainment and health tourism; and themed tourism). By 2025, Son La is expected to welcome 5.3 million visitors, generating approximately 6,300 billion VND in tourism revenue.

Many tourists visit Chieng Khoa waterfall. (Photo: TN).

This impressive figure marks a year of significant progress for tourism. This achievement is largely due to the attractiveness of Son La's unique and valuable agricultural sector, which is being developed and integrated with tourism in a progressively professional manner. Furthermore, the Resolution of the 16th Provincial Party Congress, for the 2025-2030 term, has outlined nine key tasks, including restructuring the agricultural sector, developing high-tech agriculture, clean and organic agriculture, and developing tourism as a leading economic sector of the province.

According to the leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department is advising the Provincial People's Committee on the development of a tourism development plan for Son La province for the period 2025-2030, with specific goals, tasks, and solutions.

This includes leveraging the province's unique cultural and agricultural strengths to develop diverse, unique, and attractive tourism products; using culture and agriculture as the main foundation to build tourism types with a distinct Son La identity. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been focusing on developing agricultural and rural tourism based on the advantages of fruit trees, coffee, tea, dairy cows, medicinal herbs, etc., forming high-tech agricultural tourism zones; and combining this with the development of accommodation services at farms, homestays, and farmstays.

At the same time, promote the development of tourism products with potential such as: trekking and hiking tourism; agricultural ecotourism, entertainment tourism, conference and seminar tourism, sports tourism... Develop specialized tourism routes and destinations such as "Green agricultural experience tourism", "A day as a highland farmer"...

The harmonious combination of cultural heritage preservation and high-tech agricultural development will create distinct added values ​​and reduce seasonality in tourism. Currently, green agriculture is opening up a new direction for ecotourism in Son La towards sustainability and the long term.

When production is linked to environmental protection, preservation of landscapes and local culture, tourism not only brings economic benefits but also contributes to improving the quality of life for the people. In the next phase, Son La will strengthen human resource training, support farmers and cooperatives in improving tourism skills. Simultaneously, it will build a brand and professionally promote the image of green agriculture and ecotourism, aiming to become a leading destination for agricultural and ecotourism in the northern mountainous region.

Thu Ha