2025 - A clearer picture of growth and social welfare in Son La.

The Spring of 2026 marks the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Resolution of the 16th Provincial Party Congress. Amidst rapidly changing, complex, and unpredictable global and regional situations, and numerous domestic challenges, with natural disasters and epidemics severely impacting production and livelihoods, Son La province remains steadfast in its development goals, proactively overcoming difficulties and adapting flexibly. The province is implementing a comprehensive set of policies and solutions for socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, and building the Party and political system.

According to provincial data, in 2025, 27 out of 28 key socio-economic indicators met or exceeded the plan. GRDP reached VND 38,992 billion, an increase of 8.03% compared to the same period, exceeding the set target. Local budget revenue reached over VND 5,600 billion, an increase of 35.3% compared to the central government's allocated budget, a 24.4% increase compared to the provincial People's Council's allocated budget, and a 35.4% increase compared to 2024. The economic structure shifted in a positive direction, in line with the established orientation; key infrastructure received investment; and the urban and rural landscape continued to change, creating more room for regional development, linkages, and integration.

The investment and business environment continues to improve, attracting investment in sectors where the province has strengths. By the end of 2025, the province will have nearly 4,800 registered businesses with a total registered capital of over 142,000 billion VND. Of these, 870 businesses will be newly established, a 134.5% increase compared to 2024. The collective economic sector will maintain its growth momentum with 1,145 registered cooperatives, including 96 newly established cooperatives. In 2025 alone, the province will approve 39 new investment project proposals with a total registered capital of 22,107 billion VND, 12.7 times higher than the total registered capital in 2024.

Trade promotion, consumption, and export activities have become more in-depth. Key agricultural products such as tea, coffee, cassava products, sugarcane, mangoes, and longan are now present in 21 countries/territories. Export value in 2025 is projected to reach US$225 million, a 13.4% increase compared to the previous year, contributing to affirming the quality, brand, and reputation of Son La's goods in the market.

Agriculture continues to be the backbone of the province's economy, developing towards commodity production, applying high technology, and forming specialized areas for key fruit and industrial crops. Industry is shifting towards increasing the proportion of deep processing, enhancing added value and the scientific and technological content in products.

The tourism sector continues to thrive. By 2025, the total number of tourists visiting Son La is expected to reach approximately 5.3 million; revenue is projected to reach 6,300 billion VND, an increase of 8.62% compared to 2024. Moc Chau National Tourist Area has been honored for the fourth consecutive year as "Asia's Leading Natural Destination 2025"; and for the third time, it has received the award for "World's Leading Regional Natural Destination 2025".

In the socio-cultural field, the province commenced and accelerated the construction of boarding schools for primary and secondary levels in 13 border communes. The quality of advanced and general education showed significant progress, with 2,493 students winning provincial-level awards and 34 students winning national-level awards; the high school graduation rate reached 99.59%. Poverty reduction and social welfare programs were implemented comprehensively; the poverty rate decreased by 3% compared to 2024, reaching 7.89%.

National defense and security were maintained. Crime prevention and control efforts yielded positive results: criminal offenses decreased by 35.8% compared to the same period in 2024; the rate of resolving cases and incidents related to social order reached 99.5%; and 20% of communes and wards were transformed and built into drug-free areas. Foreign relations were strengthened; friendly cooperation between Son La and the northern provinces of Laos continued to deepen.

Along with socio-economic development, the province is focusing on implementing the policy of streamlining the organizational structure and operating a two-tiered local government model. According to the data provided, Son La merged 125 commune-level administrative units, leaving 75 communes and wards; and reassigned, recruited, and reassigned more than 25,500 cadres, civil servants, and public employees to new positions, in accordance with their functions and tasks. The province also successfully organized party congresses at all levels, including the 16th Provincial Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term, one month earlier than required by the Central Committee.

In practice, the spirit of "discipline, responsibility, proactiveness, timeliness, efficiency, and accelerated breakthroughs" has spread throughout the entire political system; it serves as a foundation for transforming goals into actions and results.

Alongside its achievements, the province frankly acknowledges its limitations: the progress of some key projects is still slow; the disbursement rate of public investment capital remains low; investment attraction is not commensurate with its potential; and land, resource, mineral, and environmental management are still inadequate. This necessitates continued innovation in thinking, improvement of leadership methods, enhancement of the quality of the staff, and stricter discipline and order.

2026 - Synchronizing tasks, accelerating breakthroughs.

Entering 2026 – the year marking the beginning of the implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Party and the Resolution of the 16th Provincial Party Congress – Son La province has identified its operational focus as concentrated, synchronized, prioritized, and linked to objectives, responsibilities, and timelines.

First and foremost, the province is focusing on implementing the Resolution of the 16th Provincial Party Congress and the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress; and at the same time, preparing and successfully organizing the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and deputies to the People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term in the province.

The province continues to improve the state administrative apparatus towards a streamlined, effective, and efficient operation; building a team of officials with sufficient qualities, capabilities, prestige, who dare to think, dare to act, and dare to take responsibility; and placing the interests of the people and the province above all else. The requirement is to resolutely combat inertia, avoidance, and fear of responsibility; strengthen discipline and order in the performance of public duties; and promptly resolve difficulties, obstacles, and shortcomings in the operation of the two-tiered local government model.

On the economic front, Son La is promoting economic restructuring associated with innovation in the growth model; developing growth drivers, especially agricultural processing industries, renewable energy, and high-quality tourism. Along with this is the determination to complete the task of collecting state budget revenue; restructuring revenue and expenditure towards sustainability; improving the efficiency of management, allocation, and use of public resources; focusing on accelerating the disbursement of public investment capital; and promoting decentralization and delegation of power coupled with inspection, supervision, and control of power.

The province continues to significantly improve the investment and business environment; reduce and simplify administrative procedures; unlock social resources; and create favorable conditions for businesses and people. Digital transformation is identified as a continuous task, linked to the digital economy, digital society, and digital citizenship; while simultaneously promoting the green economy, circular economy, e-commerce, and new business models.

In agriculture, the province promotes industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas; develops smart agriculture; and builds Sơn La agricultural product brands. The priority is to encourage businesses to invest in deep processing, logistics, and e-commerce serving agriculture to increase added value and stabilize output.

In terms of infrastructure, the province focuses on developing a comprehensive and modern strategic infrastructure, especially transportation and digital infrastructure. The main focus is on accelerating the progress of the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway project; commencing the Moc Chau - Son La - Dien Bien expressway project; and developing key intra-provincial transportation arteries to expand development space, attract investment, and promote trade.

Culture and society continue to be given their rightful place as foundations. The province is developing comprehensively in all fields; building a healthy cultural environment; caring for the material and spiritual lives of the people; ensuring social security, and leaving no one behind. Simultaneously, it is developing high-quality human resources, improving the quality of education, linking training with the needs of the labor market; creating an environment for young talents, intellectuals, and entrepreneurs to contribute, start businesses, and innovate in their homeland; and preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the 12 ethnic groups.

Regarding the environment, the province proactively responds to climate change and prevents natural disasters; manages, protects, and sustainably utilizes resources; addresses pollution at agricultural processing facilities; and strengthens communication and raises community awareness about green and sustainable development.

Regarding national defense, security, and foreign affairs, the province is consolidating the all-people national defense posture and the people's security posture, linked with the people's support; maintaining political security and social order; firmly protecting independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity; expanding international cooperation, people-to-people diplomacy, and developing border areas.

Entering 2026 with faith and expectations, the requirement is that each Party committee, government, agency, and unit must transform goals into concrete action programs; each cadre and Party member must set an example; and each citizen must be the subject of development. The spirit of "discipline, responsibility, proactiveness, timeliness, efficiency, and accelerated breakthroughs" continues to be the imperative for action, so that the aspiration for development is concretized through results and clear changes in the lives of the people.