Positive signals

Thanks to the synchronous implementation of many solutions, the province's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) in the first 6 months of 2025 at 2010 comparative prices is estimated at VND 16,541 billion, up 8.76% over the same period last year. Of which, agriculture, forestry and fishery reached VND 3,643 billion, up 7.92%, exceeding the set target by 5.2%; industry and construction reached VND 4,264 billion, up 11.83%; services reached VND 7,808 billion, up 8.33%. The economic structure has shifted positively: agriculture applied high technology, industry increased the proportion of processing, and services expanded towards modernization.

Ms. Ha Ngoc Chau, Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, emphasized: The GRDP growth rate in the first 6 months of 2025 basically met the set scenario. However, it is still a fairly good growth rate, ranking 5th out of 14 provinces in the Northern Midlands and Mountains, and 19th out of 63 nationwide. Notably, investment attraction has increased. From the beginning of the year to August 17, 2025, the Department received 97 investment dossiers, of which 65 were new proposals. As a result, Son La approved the investment policy of 20 projects outside industrial parks, with a total capital of VND 12,123 billion, an increase of 2.2 times in the number of projects, 36 times in total capital compared to the same period in 2024. In addition, 18 projects adjusted to increase capital by nearly VND 977 billion, focusing on agriculture, processing, urban areas, and tourism.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee presented the decision approving the investment policy and approving the investor for the Dream Plastic Mai Son Factory Project.

Attracting investment into the Industrial Park has been flourishing. Up to now, Mai Son Industrial Park Phase I has attracted 9 projects with a total registered capital of 1,453.7 billion VND. In the past 8 months, 5 enterprises have been researching and proposing to invest in the Industrial Park, of which the Dream Plastic Mai Son Factory Project was granted the Investment Policy Decision and approved the investor.

Mr. Jang Kyung Ho, Deputy Director of Dream Plastic Co., Ltd., shared: The project aims to produce and process children's toys and plastic products, with a designed capacity of 20 million products/year and a total capital of 7 million USD. We appreciate the support of provincial departments and branches in completing procedures. The company is committed to implementing the project on schedule.

Groundbreaking ceremony of Mavin Mai Son animal feed and agricultural processing factory complex project.

Among the projects granted investment policies from 2024 in Mai Son Industrial Park, there are 2 typical projects which are works to welcome the 16th Son La Provincial Party Congress, term 2025 - 2030, in which, successfully coordinated the groundbreaking ceremony of the project "Mavin Mai Son Animal Feed and Agricultural Products Processing Factory Complex" and is expected to inaugurate the BHL Son La Modified Starch Processing Factory in September 2025, with a total investment of over 630 billion VND.

In addition, many key projects outside the industrial park are being accelerated, including: Moc Chau High-Tech Milk Factory (Thao Nguyen Ward), Muong La Banana Processing Factory (Muong Bu Commune), Moc Chau Tea Factory, DTH Coffee Agricultural Product Preservation Center (Chieng Coi Ward), and a series of hydropower projects: Nam Hoa I, Hang Dong B, Bo Sinh, Suoi Chien...

Not only the industrial sector, many service and tourism projects create highlights. Mr. Hoang Manh Duy, Deputy Director of Moc Chau Island Tourist Area, said: Moc Chau Island Tourist Area continues to invest, bringing new and unique tourism products to promote the potential strengths of Moc Chau National Tourist Area. Since its operation, the Company has contributed a lot to the economic development of the region, creating jobs for more than 400 workers, with a stable income of over 11.3 million VND/person/month. Investment attraction policies as well as open mechanisms during this period are important factors attracting investment to Son La province.

Visitors experience horse riding at Happyland Moc Chau.

Remove bottlenecks to break through

Despite positive results, Son La still faces many "bottlenecks" that need to be removed to maximize its potential. Ms. Ha Ngoc Chau, Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, added: Transport infrastructure is considered the "bloodline" of development, but key routes such as National Highway 6, National Highway 37, 279 have degraded, and routes connecting industrial parks and clusters and tourist destinations have not been completed. The Hoa Binh - Moc Chau Expressway, a strategic project expected to create a breakthrough, is currently under construction. Logistics infrastructure and cold storage for agricultural exports are still lacking and have not met requirements.

Son La strawberries are tested to ensure standards for use on Vietnam Airlines flights serving domestic and international passengers.

Site clearance and project implementation face difficulties in determining land origin and complex compensation valuation, resulting in prolonged time for completing documents. Investment preparation procedures have improved, but the time for project implementation is prolonged due to many procedures and steps of many legal regulations.

The province's human resources are abundant, but lack technical skills, especially in agricultural processing and supporting industries. The application of technology and digital transformation in production and business management is still limited. The progress of disbursement of public investment capital is uneven, and some projects using central support capital are slow.

Son La aims to achieve GRDP growth of 8% or more in 2025; agriculture, forestry and fishery accounting for 23%; industry - construction accounting for 29%; services accounting for 42%; product taxes minus product subsidies accounting for 6%. The province strives to disburse 100% of public investment capital, attracting more deep processing, renewable energy and high-quality tourism projects. At the same time, increase the proportion of processing industry in the entire industry.

Elite Hill amusement park, Chieng Coi ward is preparing to come into operation.

Our province focuses on implementing many breakthrough solutions, such as: Accelerating the progress of strategic infrastructure projects, including the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau Expressway, National Highway 37 connecting National Highway 279D, completing the infrastructure of industrial parks and industrial clusters and continuing to develop the system of preliminary processing and preservation facilities serving agricultural exports. Accelerating the disbursement of public investment capital, thoroughly handling site clearance problems, reforming administrative procedures, and shortening the investment licensing process.

Strengthening trade promotion, expanding agricultural product consumption markets, strongly applying e-commerce, developing modern logistics systems, reducing transportation costs. Attracting selective investment continues to be focused on, prioritizing deep processing, renewable energy, eco-tourism and high-quality services; encouraging socialization of infrastructure investment. In addition, it is necessary to focus on training high-quality human resources, promoting digital transformation in production, business and management. Building digital government, transparent planning and project information, creating trust for businesses and people.

A corner of Moc Chau Island Tourist Area.

Resolutely and synchronously implementing many solutions will not only help Son La fulfill its 2025 goals, but also create a breakthrough foundation, achieving double-digit growth in the 2026-2030 period, becoming a new growth pole in the Northwest, contributing significantly to the overall development of the country.