Traditional folk art performances are held for tourists at the Moc Chau Night Market and Pedestrian Street.

Van Ho, the gateway to Son La province, boasts many homestays reflecting the unique style of the Mong ethnic group. Among them, A Chu homestay in Hua Tat village is an ideal stop for tourists, especially foreigners. The homestay features traditional Mong wooden houses, a close-to-nature setting, and lush green gardens. Its simple, rustic architecture is particularly captivating, celebrating the traditional beauty of the ethnic group.

Mr. Trang A Chu, owner of A Chu Homestay, shared: "A Chu Homestay prioritizes a style deeply rooted in the traditional culture of the Mong ethnic group, combined with modern elements, aiming to provide tourists with good, interesting, and meaningful services and experiences. Here, visitors can see the unique beauty of Mong culture, from architecture to daily life, production, cuisine, and spiritual culture."

In Moc Chau, this green plateau region attracts tourists not only with its beautiful natural scenery but also with its rich traditional culture, which is being exploited and developed into unique tourism products. Moc Chau is home to 12 ethnic groups. Thanks to this, the traditional cultures of these ethnic groups are incredibly rich, especially the festivals and traditional beliefs that are preserved and promoted. The town currently has 7 national intangible cultural heritage sites, including 4 cultural heritage sites unique to the ethnic groups living in Moc Chau: the Het Cha ceremony of the White Thai people, the art of playing the Hmong flute, the art of creating patterns on clothing of the Hmong Hoa people, and the rain-praying festival of the White Thai people.

Cultural spaces at the Quỳnh Nhai District Culture, Sports and Tourism Week 2025.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Moc Chau town, said: "The unique culture of the ethnic minorities is an invaluable human resource that Moc Chau has been striving to preserve and promote. Moc Chau has identified it as one of the two main components, along with green agriculture, to drive rapid and sustainable tourism development."

In the riverside region of Quỳnh Nhai, a land rich in traditional culture, tourism has developed strongly in recent years, exploiting the great potential of the Sơn La hydroelectric reservoir area. At the beginning of the year, Quỳnh Nhai becomes a popular destination for tourists from near and far, coming to visit and pray for peace at the spiritual and cultural tourism area with Nàng Han Temple and Linh Sơn Thủy Từ Temple; immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the traditional boat racing festival; participating in the Culture, Sports and Tourism Week, and experiencing the unique cultural space of the people in the riverside region.

Traditional culture is exploited and promoted as an attractive element, breathing life into tourism in Quynh Nhai. Particularly noteworthy are the nationally recognized cultural heritage sites, such as: the Peace Prayer Ceremony (Pang A) of the La Ha people; the Pang A (peace prayer) ritual of the Khang people; the hair washing ritual, the Kin Pang Then ritual, and the Xip Xi Tet ritual of the White Thai people... along with many unique traditional festivals and rituals that are regularly revived and performed for tourists at the district's cultural and tourism events.

Mr. Doan Dong Duc, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, shared his feelings about participating in the 2025 Quynh Nhai District Traditional Boat Racing Festival: "Coming here, I see the magnificent and splendid natural scenery of the lake, the vibrant and unique traditional festival, and the friendly and hospitable people."

The traditional culture of the Thai ethnic group was recreated in an event in Moc Chau.

The unique characteristics of Son La's ethnic cultures are widely promoted, their value exploited, and they create highlights for famous tourist areas and attractions, as well as souvenir products such as handicrafts and ethnic brocade. Traditional festivals, folk songs, folk dances, folk music, and ethnic costumes are incorporated into cultural and tourism events, creating an attraction for Son La tourism in recent years. In the first quarter of 2025, the province welcomed 1.76 million tourists, generating revenue of 1,985 billion VND.

Mr. Pham Hong Thu, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: The Department regularly disseminates information and raises awareness among officials, Party members, and the people about preserving traditional culture. It proactively, flexibly, and creatively applies science and technology and the digital economy to preserve and promote the fine traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic groups. Emphasis is placed on restoring traditional folk festivals, promoting national intangible cultural heritage and representative heritage of humanity in conjunction with local economic development, especially tourism development.

With 17 national cultural heritage sites and 96 historical and cultural relics and scenic spots, Son La province holds immense value in terms of both space and time, reflecting its long-standing culture and history. These heritage sites are being preserved, protected, and promoted in unique ways, transforming them into valuable practical assets that contribute to socio-economic development.

Thanh Dao