Area: 14,174.4 sq. km. Population: 1,182.4 thousand habitants (2015). Capital: Son La City. Districts (11): Quynh Nhai, Muong La, Thuan Chau, Phu Yen, Bac Yen, Mai Son, Song Ma, Yen Chau, Moc Chau, Sop Cop, Van Ho. Ethnic groups: Dao, Thai, Viet (Kinh), H'Mong, Muong.
◊ GEOGRAPHY
Son La belongs to North-West Viet Nam, shares border with Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Lai Chau provinces on the north, Dien Bien Province on the west, Phu Tho and Hoa Binh provinces on the east and Laos on the south. The province has many mountains, rives and mineral sources. Abundant water supply is suitable to hydroelectricity. Moc Chau Plateau is an ideal place to breed milk cow, plant tea and fruit. Annual average temperature is about 21oC. The weather is cold, dry in winter and hot in summer.
◊ TOURISM
Son La owns following interesting sites. Son La Former Prison and Museum preserves revolutionary remains and exhibits precious objects introducing the historical and cultural traditions of the 12 ethnic groups living in Son La. Stretching out 150m long, Tham Tet Toong Cave is a wonder of nature. Along the walls of the cave, there are numerous stalactites and stalagmites. Ban Hin (Hin ethnic minority hamlet) is marked by the traditions and culture of the Thai. There, tourists enjoy drinking ruou can and watching xoe dance by Thai women. Then visitor like to go to Yen Chau Site to try special bananas, longans and mangoes.
Moc Chau Plateau
In 2nd lunar month, when ban flowers begins to blossom, coloring the mountains in white, Thai ethnic group held Hoa Ban Festival. Boys and girls go flower picking to celebrate the spring and entertain themselves by singing, playing tinh and khen flute, dancing xoe.
◊ TRANSPORTATION
Son La connects Hoa Binh by National Road N°. 6, Yen Bai by Road N°.37, Lao Cai by Road N°. 279. Son La City is 122km from Moc Chau Farm Town, 191km from Mai Chau in Hoa Binh Province, 328km northwest of Ha Noi.
Bus: Son La Bus Station is 2km southwest of Son La City. Daily buses run from 5am between Son La and Ha Noi (My Dinh and Giap Bat Bus Stations).
Son La
Add: Hoang Quoc Viet Str., Moc Chau Farm Town, Moc Chau Dist.
Tel: (84-212) 2258 886
Add: 228 Truong Chinh St., Son La City
Tel: (84-212) 3753 299
Add: 4 Xuan Thuy St., Chieng Le Ward, Son La City
Tel: (84-212) 8553 13/ 8528 04
Add: 53, 26/8 St., Son La City
Tel: (84-212) 3858 799/ 2220 348
Add: Chieng Le Ward, Son La City
Tel: (84-212) 3853 408
Add: Zone 5, Mai Son Town, Mai Son Dist.
Tel: (84-212) 3843 118
Tel: (84-212) 3853 515/ 3855 555
Add: 1 Nguyen Luong Bang St., Son La City
Tel: (84-212) 3852 702
Add: Km72, Moc Chau Town, Moc Chau Dist.
Tel: (84-212) 3869 047
Add: 3/2 St., Son La City
Tel: (84-212) 3851 663
Add: National Highway 6 , Son La City
Add: Son La Bridge, Son La City
Add: Group 6, Song Ma Townlet, Song Ma Dist.
Tel: (84-212) 3836 138
Add: Zone 32, Moc Chau Town, Dist. Moc Chau
Tel: (84-212) 3869 159
Add: Khi Tuong Zone, Moc Chau Town, Moc Chau Dist.
Tel: (84-212) 3669 888
Add: Km174, Van Ho, Moc Chau Dist.
Add: Zone 3, Moc Chau Town, Moc Chau Dist.
Add: 360 Zone 10, Moc Chau Town, Moc Chau Dist.
Add: Chieng Di Zone, Moc Chau Town, Moc Chau Dist.
Tel: (84-212) 3669 466