The Provincial Party Secretary and the provincial delegation visited the banana processing plant of Musa GREEN Joint Stock Company in Muong Bu commune.

A foundation for production and business.

In 2025, the Son La Provincial Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion Center will proactively advise and organize numerous investment, trade, and tourism promotion programs that are practical and closely aligned with the needs of businesses. Specifically, the Center will implement nine programs to publicize, promote, and introduce the province's potential, advantages, and investment environment through various information channels and media, contributing to spreading the image of Son La as a safe and attractive destination for investors.

In addition, the "Businessmen's Coffee" program, themed "Connecting Businesses and Cooperatives in the Agricultural Product Value Chain," was organized, attracting approximately 150 delegates including leaders from the Provincial People's Committee, departments, agencies, and businesses from within and outside the province. This served as a forum for exchanging and sharing information, and also as a bridge for businesses and cooperatives to seek opportunities for cooperation and product consumption linkages, gradually forming a sustainable agricultural product value chain.

 

The finished product packaging area of ​​Son La Sugar Corporation.

In the field of trade promotion, the Center has organized and participated in many large-scale, impactful events, such as: the Son La Province Safe Agricultural Products and Food Week in Hanoi; the Son La Plum Week 2025; the Son La Province Safe Agricultural Products and Food Week in Hai Phong; and the Trade Promotion Fair for agricultural products and OCOP products in the Northwest region - Son La 2025, coinciding with the 130th anniversary of the province's establishment. Through these events, hundreds of agricultural products and OCOP products from the province have been promoted and connected to major markets, gradually establishing the Son La agricultural brand.

In tourism promotion activities, the Center participated in and coordinated many programs, including: participating in the Hoa Ban Festival and the 8th Dien Bien Province Ethnic Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival in 2025; the VITM International Tourism Fair - Hanoi 2025; the 21st Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival; the Northwest Tourism Promotion and Development Conference - Ho Chi Minh City in 2025… The Center coordinated the organization of tourism professional training in Bac Yen, Ta Xua, Xim Vang, and Muong Coi communes in Ta Xua commune; wrote articles for Heritage Magazine; broadcast a promotional film about Son La province and a 30-second TV commercial on Vietnam Airlines' in-flight entertainment screens.

Customers visit and shop at the product display booth of Hua Phan province, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Ms. Le Thi Hong Anh, Director of the Son La Provincial Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, stated: "In recent times, promotion activities have been implemented with a 'business-centric' approach. Each program is built on the actual needs of businesses, focusing on supporting market connections, enhancing competitiveness, and creating conditions for local products to participate more deeply in the value chain. Through these programs, the Center has received attention and cooperation from many businesses, cooperatives, and household businesses. Notable examples include: Phuc Sinh Son La Joint Stock Company; Moc Chau Dairy Cattle Breeding Joint Stock Company; Van Ho Honey Company Limited; Dong Giao Export Food Joint Stock Company, Son La Branch; Vietnam Airlines Corporation; 26 Moc Chau Tourism Joint Stock Company; and Pha Luong Moc Chau Tourism Joint Stock Company."

Market expansion

Beyond simply organizing events, Son La province actively connects businesses and cooperatives with major corporations and distribution systems nationwide. Many of the province's agricultural products are sold in supermarkets and chain stores such as GO!, WinMart, Co.opmart, and AEON. Notably, some typical products like Son La plums and strawberries are featured in in-flight meals on Vietnam Airlines flights, contributing to promoting the image of local agricultural products to a wide range of consumers both domestically and internationally.

Alongside the domestic market, export promotion is also emphasized. Through networking and business support activities, many of the province's key agricultural products such as coffee, tea, dried fruits, and fresh fruits are gradually accessing and exporting to markets in Europe, Japan, South Korea, and China.

Evaluating the effectiveness of the promotional programs, Mr. Vu Viet Thang, General Director of Phuc Sinh Son La Joint Stock Company, said: Thanks to participating in fairs and agricultural product weeks organized by the province, the company has signed more sales contracts and expanded its market beyond the province. More importantly, the company has gained timely access to market information and consumer trends, adjusted production plans, and improved product quality.

The raw material storage area of ​​the Phu Yen Cassava Starch Joint Stock Company Branch - Son La Cassava Starch Factory, Chieng Mung commune.

In reality, promotional activities have proven highly effective for the province's key agricultural processing businesses. Mr. Nguyen Van Tai, Director of the Sugar Processing Plant, Son La Sugar Corporation, stated: "Through networking programs organized by the province, businesses have expanded their partner network, gradually bringing refined sugar and sugar-related products closer to the domestic market. The province's support for businesses participating in trade promotion events not only helps promote brands but also facilitates the signing of stable consumption contracts, thereby increasing the value of sugarcane and the income of sugarcane farmers."

With the efforts of the provincial departments, agencies, and localities, including the Provincial Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, trade and service promotion activities will remain stable and develop in 2025. The value of goods participating in exports is estimated at 225 million USD, an increase of 13.4%; of which, the value of agricultural products participating in exports will reach 218 million USD, an increase of 14.5% compared to 2024. The total number of tourists visiting Son La is estimated at 5.3 million people, an increase of 8.16%; revenue from tourism activities will reach approximately 6,300 billion VND, an increase of 8.62% compared to 2024.

Creating new impetus for business development.

Recognizing that promotion should be linked to substantive support, departments, agencies, and localities in the province have strengthened coordination and promptly identified difficulties and obstacles faced by businesses. Through dialogues and direct meetings, many recommendations related to investment procedures, land access, credit capital, and business registration have been compiled and submitted to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and resolution.

In 2025, the Provincial Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center provided consulting and support for 25 investment projects; guided and assisted with procedures for registering new businesses and cooperatives, and adjusted projects for many entities. This contributed to creating a favorable investment environment and strengthening the confidence of businesses when investing, producing, and conducting business in the locality.

To enhance the effectiveness of investment, trade, and tourism promotion, on January 9, 2026, the Center issued a plan for implementing promotional activities in 2026. The plan closely follows the directives of the Provincial People's Committee, the memorandums of cooperation with Thanh Hoa province and Vietnam Airlines Corporation for the period 2024-2028, and the content of the GREAT 2 Son La Project for the period 2024-2027.

People in Phiêng Khoài commune are livestreaming to sell late-season plums.

Identifying investment promotion, trade, and business support as key tasks, linked to the goal of enhancing competitiveness and promoting economic growth, the province will innovate its promotion activities in 2026 towards a more professional, focused, and targeted approach. This will concentrate on advantageous sectors and products such as high-tech agriculture, processing industries, OCOP products, and tourism. Simultaneously, the province will accelerate administrative reforms, improve the investment and business environment, strengthen dialogue and collaboration with businesses, and support the application of science and technology, digital transformation, brand building, and e-commerce development.

With a proactive, flexible approach and substantial support, investment and trade promotion activities are expected to continue to be an important foundation, contributing to creating momentum for the stable and sustainable development of Son La's business community in the coming years.

 

Minh Thu