Situated about 320km to the northwest of Hanoi, Son La town is often used as a half-way overnight stop on the route to Dien Bien Phu. The province encompasses a total area of over 14.120 km2, which makes it the third largest province of Vietnam. Son La shares the common border with Yen Bai, Dien Bien, Lai Chau provinces in the north, with Phu Tho, Hoa Binh in the east, with Dien Bien in the west, and with Thanh Hoa province, Laos in the south. The province lies at the height of 600-700 meters above sea level with mild and temperate climate condition. The province is not so well-known for tourism destinations except for the Moc Chau Plateau and Son La prison.

Son-La-Map-Vietnam-Administration-Units
SON LA PROVINCE
Coordinates:  21°10'N 104°0'E

Region             Northwest
Capital             Son La
Area                 14,174.4 km2
    
Population (2011)
  • Total            1,119,400
  • Density       79/km2

Demographics    
  • Ethnicities  Thai,Kinh, H'Mong
                          Muong, Dao
    
Calling code   022
Website           www.sonla.gov.vn
Topography
Topography of Son La province is mainly mountains and highlands. Network River here is quite special thick, water is plentiful, the potential of hydropower. Mineral resources of the province are quite diverse and so rich industrial Son La has many prospects.

Climate
Son La features a tropical monsoon climate, which is characterized by torrential rains in the summer (from May to September) and cold and dry in winter (from November to January). Like many provinces in Vietnam, Son La also suffers from the influence of the dry and hot wind from Laos in summer which makes the weather intolerable sometimes.
Son La’s climate is divided into two distinct seasons. Winter lasts from October to March of the next year, and summer from April to September. The annual average temperature is 21.4oC (the highest temperature is 27oC and the lowest one is 16oC).

Tourism
Son La Highland is most famous for its imposing Moc Chau Plateau, which is an ideal place for milk-cow breeding, tea and fruits planting. Not only that, Moc Chau Plateau will not disappoint travelers with its wide range of natural wonders like Bat Cave (Hang Doi), Brassiere Waterfall (Thac Dai Yem) and immense forests of pine behind soft mist. It would be a big mistake if ones come to Son La but miss to visit this wonderland. Another indispensible destination is the gigantic hydroelectric dam of Son La, the biggest hydroelectric dam of Indochina.
Right in the central of Son La City, tourists would have chance to visit the most renowned relic of this province, which is Son La Former Prison and Museum. This site is preserving historic objects – evidence of a difficult but heroic time during the war, and also exhibiting the historical and cultural tradition of 12 ethnic groups living there.

Attending tours to Son La, visitors may have unforgettable experiences by visiting cultural ethnic minorities’ communes and enjoying traditional festivals. One of the most famous festivals is Hoa Ban Festival of the Thai ethnic group and is also called “Xen Ban Xen Muong”. It is organized every year (2nd lunar month) when the Ban flower begins to blossom, coloring the mountains of North West Vietnam in white. At the festival, people pray for abundant crops and luck as well as wishing a peaceful and materially secure life.

Transportation
Son La is 320km to the Northwest of Hanoi, along National Highway No.6, through Dien Bien so tourist may visit this historic city on the way as well. For romantic travelers, going on boats from Hoa Binh Lake to Son La is a good suggestion.



4.5215053763441 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1Rating 4.52 (372 Votes)

 

Last updated on 2022-08-18 07:50:28. 

Ask a question

We answer all questions, however, some questions we will answer privately via email so they will not appear on this website.


Customize Vietnam Luxury Tours

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE

Dreaming of a tailor-made trip to Vietnam? Tell us your preferences and we'll send you a customized itinerary and price!
(We'll get back to you within 8 business hours)
HANOI - VIETNAM
5 Floor, HTK Building,
98 Nguyen Van Cu St, Long Bien Dist., Hanoi
T: +8424 3942 9444 - F: +8424 3942 9442

HCM CITY - VIETNAM
5th Floor Hong Anh Bld.,
24 Truong Son Str., Tan Binh Dist., HCMC
Tel: 0084 28 3535 8444

SIEM REAP - CAMBODIA
67 Oum Khun Street,
Khum Svay Dankum, Siem Reap
T: +855 6396 7008 - F: 855 6396 7009
LUANG PRABANG - LAOS
No 203, Ban Mano,
Luang Prabang, Laos PDR.
T: +856 7191 9444 - F: +856 7191 9333
YANGON - MYANMAR
6th Floor, 158 Building, 45 Street,
Botataung Township, Yangon
T: +95 944 312 1788 / +951 201026
© 2025 TRAVEL VIETNAM TRAVEL VIETNAM. International Tour Operator licence No: 0919/TCDL. All rights Reserved. DMCA.com Protection Status
A division of Asia Travel & Leisure Asia Travel & Leisure.