Tourism is our strength.

At the 31st World Travel Awards for Asia and Oceania in 2024 held last September in Manila, Philippines, Moc Chau National Tourist Area of ​​Son La province continued to be honored as "Asia's Leading Regional Natural Destination 2024". At the same time, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a decision to recognize Moc Chau National Tourist Area. In addition, there are hydroelectric reservoir tourism in Quynh Nhai, Muong La; tourist destinations in Ta Xua, Bac Yen; Ngoc Chien, Muong La... known and chosen by many tourists.

Moc Chau National Tourist Area of ​​Son La province continues to be honored as "Asia's Leading Regional Natural Destination 2024".

Son La province with its geographical location as the center of the Northwest region and rich and diverse tourism resources, Son La possesses natural and human tourism resources which are great potentials that can create unique and attractive tourism products for investors and domestic and foreign tourists.

Over the years, the number of tourists coming toSon LaThe locality aims to reach 5.2 million visitors by 2025, with total revenue from tourism services reaching 5,800 billion VND, an average growth of 15-20% per year.

Currently, Son La has initially built tourism products based on the province's potential strengths such as: Community tourism; Son La hydroelectric reservoir area tourism; resort and ecological tourism associated with agriculture; cultural tourism associated with festivals and sports... Many tourist areas and spots have gradually become famous, creating an attractive attraction for domestic and foreign tourists to Son La such as: Moc Chau National Tourist Area; Quynh Nhai tourist area; Ngoc Chien; Bach Long glass bridge (the bridge with the longest glass walkway in the world); Pha Din Top tourist spot; dinosaur spine; Ta Xua cloud hunting... Notably, in 2022, Moc Chau - Son La National Tourist Area was voted as "Vietnam's leading natural tourist destination and Asia's leading destination"...

In particular, to support ethnic minorities to improve their lives through tourism, foreign projects implemented in Son La have supported the people.ethnic minoritySon La province improves qualifications and income.

The GREAT 2 project, implemented from 2023-2027, has an investment capital of more than VND 250 billion, of which non-refundable ODA capital is VND 236 billion and counterpart capital from the provincial budget is VND 1.5 billion. It is expected that more than 15,000 women, of which 70% are ethnic minority women in Son La province, will benefit. The project has 3 main components: Developing the market system in the agricultural and tourism sectors; strategies to support access to finance, digital transformation, development of women-owned enterprises, and communication to change behavior; supporting policy development, completion and implementation.

The model of tourism combined with agriculture helps ethnic minorities in Son La increase their income and stabilize their lives. (Photo - Internet)

With 12 recognized tourist areas and tourist destinations; of which, Moc Chau National Tourist Area and Son La Hydropower Reservoir Area are planned into the national tourism system for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, have helped the province's tourism affirm itself on the Vietnam tourism map. In recent years, on average, Son La has welcomed about 5 million visitors each year, with revenue of nearly 6,000 billion VND, a growth rate of 13%/year. The specific goals, roadmap, and targets that the GREAT 2 project has been and is implementing will contribute to changing the mindset, strengthening coordination and close connection between state management agencies and enterprises and cooperatives. From there, difficulties are gradually resolved, promoting local tourism to develop more and more, attracting more domestic and international tourists.

Innovation and improvement of tourism performance

In response to the demand for tourism development in Son La in the coming years, the locality aims to make the province's tourism a safe and attractive destination in the Northwest region, building unique, different, professional, sustainable and internationally integrated tourism products... Some programs such as the annual Vietnam Trail Marathon held in Moc Chau district are increasingly attracting more domestic and international athletes. In 2024, the tournament will attract more than 4,000 athletes from 40 countries and territories around the world.

Ngoc Chien commune community tourism site, Muong La district - one of the new experiential tourism sites attracting tourists in Son La province. (Photo - Internet)

The tourism picture is increasingly prosperous, as localities in the province have focused on developing different tourism products and renewing products. Notably, Moc Chau National Tourist Area with many destinations, such as Moc Chau Island tourist area; Ban Ang high-class pine forest resort; Dai Yem Waterfall eco-tourism site; Moc Chau walking street - night market; Hang Mieng Temple tourist site; the system of waterfalls in Van Ho...

With the beauty bestowed by nature, along with the right and accurate orientation in tourism development, from 2021 to now, tourists coming to Son La have reached more than 12 million, revenue from tourism activities has reached 12,600 billion VND; the growth rate has reached 13%/year. At the same time, the province has communicated and propagated through cultural, tourism and sports exchange programs to promote the image and potential of the province, in which the province has established a delegation of cadres, mass art actors, and Thai ethnic people to participate in events. Son La province has promoted digital transformation, applying 4.0 technology to tourism development activities. Son La tourism continues to shine, becoming a safe and attractive destination on the tourist route through the Northwest.

Kim Xuyen