Conference to review the first three years of implementing Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU of the Provincial Party Committee.

On January 21, 2021, the Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU on the development of socio-economic infrastructure in a synchronous manner for the period 2021-2025; in which, one of the eight specific goals was clearly identified as: "Focusing on investing in the construction of key transportation projects in the province such as the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau Expressway, the Son La city bypass, and Na San Airport; continuing to promote the movement to build rural roads associated with the National Target Program for building new rural areas; completing the goal of hardening 100% of roads leading to commune centers."

As the implementation of Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU began, Son La province still had 7 communes without paved roads leading to their centers. At the 9th Special Session of the 15th Son La Provincial People's Council, held on November 8, 2022, Resolution No. 44/2022/NQ-HĐND was passed, stipulating the level of partial support from the State budget for each specific task implementing the National Target Program for New Rural Development in the province for the period 2021-2025. Accordingly, the State budget will support 98% for communes in Area III and particularly difficult villages in communes in Area I and Area II; 95% for communes in Area II (excluding particularly difficult villages); and 90% for communes in Area I (excluding particularly difficult villages) according to the approved budget for the investment project to build roads to the commune centers. Constructing roads from the commune to the villages, connecting villages, and main roads within villages; constructing roads within villages and sub-districts; constructing main roads within agricultural fields.

The road to Ta So tourist village, Chieng Hac commune, Moc Chau district.

Mr. Dao Tai Tue, Director of the Son La Provincial Department of Transport, stated: The Department has proactively coordinated and participated in the provincial planning, proposing options and solutions for developing the transportation network integrated into the provincial plan for the period 2021-2030 and with a vision to 2050. It has also coordinated with various departments, agencies, districts, and cities to advise the province on directing the comprehensive and decisive implementation of numerous solutions. On March 10, 2024, the Son La Provincial People's Council approved Resolution No. 299/NQ-HĐND approving the investment policy for the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway project, specifically the section within Son La province. The timely issuance of resolutions by the Provincial People's Council facilitates the smooth and effective implementation of transportation infrastructure investment tasks.

Representatives cut the ribbon to officially open the Son La City bypass to traffic.

After more than 3 years of implementing Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU and other resolutions of the Provincial People's Council, Son La province's efforts have been recognized through the implementation of 3 key transportation projects. To date, the National Highway 6 bypass around Son La city has been completed and put into operation, meeting travel needs and reducing traffic congestion and accidents in the city center. The province is focusing on resolving difficulties and obstacles in the mechanism for assigning local investment in the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway, which is expected to start construction in September 2025 and be completed and put into operation in September 2028. The province is actively researching and proposing various investment options for Na San Airport. Regarding planning, it has recommended, protected, and received the Prime Minister's approval to include Na San Airport in the overall plan for the development of the national airport system for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050…

Regarding investment in the construction and upgrading of the road system in the province, for national highways, due to funding difficulties, sections of national highways have not yet been invested in for renovation and upgrading. Instead, the Department of Transport has advised the province to increase the allocation of funds for maintenance and repair to serve the transportation needs of the people. For the development of the local road system, Son La province has appraised and approved the investment policy for 30 transportation projects included in the medium-term public investment plan 2021-2025, with a total length of 427 km.

Concrete pouring for inter-communal roads in Van Ho district.

Thanks to the efforts of the entire political system, Son La province has completed the paving of nearly 20 km of road connecting the centers of Hua Nhan commune in Bac Yen district and Quang Minh commune in Van Ho district. The remaining nearly 70 km of road connecting five communes under the project linking National Highway 37 in Bac Yen district with National Highway 279D in Muong La district is being expedited by the investor, aiming for completion and commissioning in 2024 as scheduled, achieving the resolution's target one year ahead of schedule.

To date, Son La province is actively implementing investment preparation procedures, resolving difficulties and obstacles, repairing and upgrading 468.6 km of roads at resettlement sites under Project 666, with a total budget of 640.5 billion VND, and upgrading and expanding 122.5 km of inter-commune and inter-village roads under Project 88, with a total budget of 648.7 billion VND.

Construction is underway on the inter-communal road connecting Muong Chanh and Chieng Noi communes in Mai Son district.

At the conference summarizing the three-year implementation of Resolution No. 05-NQ/TU dated January 21, 2021, of the Provincial Party Committee, Comrade Hoang Quoc Khanh, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, affirmed: To achieve the objectives of the Resolution, Son La closely coordinated with central ministries and agencies in submitting to the Prime Minister for approval the plan for implementing the Son La provincial planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. The province focused on investing resources in the construction of a synchronous and safe transportation infrastructure connecting tourist areas and destinations; and technical facilities and services to meet the accommodation, food, and other needs of tourists.

The Vo Nguyen Giap road in Son La city is now open to traffic.

Having lived and worked in Son La for many years, and after transferring jobs, Mr. Dao Manh Tien, former Deputy Head of the Foreign Affairs Department from 1991-1994 (now the Son La Provincial Foreign Affairs Department), shared: "I am truly surprised by the changes in Son La, especially the transportation system. National Highway 6 to Son La has been widened, the slope has been reduced, and curves have been improved, shortening travel time to 6-8 hours. Roads to districts and communes have been paved with asphalt and concrete, making travel convenient all year round. When the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway project is completed, it will be a 'boost' for Son La province to develop to a new level."

Connecting and unlocking the region's economic potential.

Resolution No. 11-NQ/TW dated February 10, 2022, of the Politburo on the direction of socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous region until 2030, with a vision to 2045, identifies the goal by 2030 as a comprehensively green and sustainable development region. The vision for 2045 is for this region to become a model of green development for the whole country. Specifically, it identifies several key tasks and solutions regarding transportation development plans, such as: developing Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, Lao Cai, Son La, and Lang Son into growth poles and important nuclei in regional economic development; prioritizing the development of socio-economic infrastructure, especially transportation infrastructure; and transforming Son La into a center for processing agricultural products. By 2030, complete the Hanoi - Hoa Binh - Son La expressway and pre-expressway routes… Continue investing in completing road routes connecting localities with expressways, border ring roads, and national highways connecting the region; upgrade Na San Airport; and invest in several waterway routes in the region.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the delegation conducted a field inspection at the runway of Na San Airport.

According to the Son La Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister, in order to create a breakthrough in development, the first important task identified by Son La province is to focus on developing infrastructure associated with promoting urbanization and improving urban economic efficiency and connectivity.

With well-planned strategies and the attention and investment from the central and local governments, the transportation system connecting Son La with other provinces in the region is being gradually upgraded, such as: National Highway 6 connecting Hanoi with the Northwest provinces; the Hoa Binh - Son La expressway is currently under construction. National Highways 37 and 279 connect Son La with the Northeast provinces such as Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Phu Tho.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other leaders performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway project.

The Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway project, the section passing through Son La province, is approximately 32.3 km long; the starting point is at km 53 in Chieng Yen commune, Van Ho district, and the end point is at km 85+300 intersecting with National Highway 43 in Phieng Luong commune, Moc Chau district.

Perspective view of the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway, phase 1, with 2 lanes.

This project is of particular importance, breaking the monopoly of National Highway 6 connecting Hanoi to Son La province and other provinces in the Northwest region. It helps to alleviate congestion, remove bottlenecks, improve regional transportation infrastructure, shorten travel distances and times, reduce transportation costs, and enhance traffic safety. At the same time, it creates momentum to attract investment into the Moc Chau National Tourist Area; develop key economic sectors of the province, such as tourism, industry, agriculture, and especially the consumption of agricultural products, contributing to socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security of Son La province in particular and the Northwest region in general.

Departure to transport Son La plums to Noi Bai International Airport.

Good news for Son La province: On November 19, 2024, the Long Sap border gate in Moc Chau district, Son La province, Vietnam, and the Pa Hang border gate in Sop Bau district, Hua Phan province, Laos, officially opened. The upgrade to an international border gate, in accordance with legal regulations and agreements between the two sides, expands entry and exit procedures and import/export activities. Specifically, people, vehicles, and goods from third countries, such as Thailand, China, and Myanmar, can now cross, transit, and temporarily import or re-export.

Ceremony to announce the opening of the Long Sap international border gate in Son La province, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Pa Hang border gate in Hua Phan province, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

The opening of the border crossing also opens up opportunities for the development of tourism and border trade, especially given that Moc Chau district has been recognized as a National Tourist Area and a leading natural destination in the world; many trade promotion and tourism survey units have come to seek opportunities to open a route connecting Dien Bien, Moc Chau, Hanoi (Vietnam) - Sam Neua, Vieng Xay, Xieng Khouang or Luang Prabang (Laos).

Delegates witnessed import and export activities through the Long Sap international border gate in Son La province, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Pa Hang in Hua Phan province, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

The opened "arteries" have brought a new look to many rural areas in the province, and the lives of the people are becoming increasingly happy and prosperous. With the "major roads" now open, connecting Hanoi with the Northwest region and shortening the distance between mountainous and lowland provinces, it will create more impetus and opportunities for Son La province to continue to develop, soon becoming a key national agricultural province, among the leading provinces in the Northwest and Northern mountainous regions.

Quang Huong - Minh Thu - Nguyen Yen