As part of the final round of the Son La Digital Transformation Competition 2026, on September 26 morning, contestants presented nine ideas, initiatives and solutions across a range of fields, focusing on practical issues in education, agriculture, Party building, administrative reform, information technology and communications.

The Son La provincial Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation on September 26 opened the Son La Digital Transformation Competition 2026 under the theme “Digital Ideas – Spreading Digital Strength."

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment on September 26 held a meeting to kick off a project to develop fruit production areas under value chains to meet export and processing standards

The provincial Department of Education and Training held a conference on improving the quality of primary and lower secondary education in the 2026-2027 academic year on September 25, at Son La High School for the Gifted. The event saw the attendance of representatives from the People’s Committees of 75 communes and wards, as well as school managers from primary and secondary schools across the province.

Every pattern and stitch in the brocade woven by ethnic minority communities in Son La once belonged mainly to stilt houses and traditional costumes worn on holidays and festivals. Now, driven by the passion, creativity and fresh thinking of people seeking to preserve Son La’s cultural heritage, brocade is being turned into distinctive commercial products and souvenirs, bringing traditional craftsmanship into modern life while preserving its cultural value.

Lo Minh Hung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Son La provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Council, on September 24 led a working delegation on a field inspection of preparations for the Moc Chau–Son La–Dien Bien Expressway project (CT.03). The delegation also held a working session with the Party Committees of Van Son and Thao Nguyen wards and Tan Yen and Doan Ket communes.

The project to complete Route 1A and develop the Tay Bac Square flower garden, covering the section from Trang Bridge to Route 1A, has entered its final stretch. The project is being carried out to mark the 131st founding anniversary of Son La province.

The Son La provincial People’s Committee on September 23 held the 2026 professional firefighting and rescue competition for grassroots fire prevention and firefighting and rescue forces, civil defence forces, and “fire safety inter-family groups” in Son La province, at Tay Bac Square.

Nguyen Minh Tien, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, chaired a meeting of the Organising Committee for the second Son La Coffee Festival 2026 on September 23. The meeting was attended by members of the Organising Committee, leaders of provincial departments and agencies, and representatives of several communes and wards across the province.

Son La Social Security held a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration for and presented academic awards to children of the agency’s civil servants, public employees, and workers on the evening of September 22.

Taking advantage of its cool climate, elevation of 1,400-1,800 metres above sea level, and extensive natural forest areas, Xim Vang commune is encouraging cooperatives and local residents to pilot the cultivation of Ngoc Linh ginseng under the forest canopy. Early results from the ginseng plots have been promising, opening up prospects for developing a high-value medicinal crop while creating additional livelihoods for local people in tandem with forest protection.

The Youth Union of Son La province held talks on September 23 with their counterparts from Laos’ Bokeo and Luang Namtha provinces to exchange experience in Youth Union work and youth and children’s movements.

The provincial youth and children activity centre, in coordination with the provincial children’s council, the Muong Khieng commune authorities, and partner organisations and individuals, held the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival celebration themed “Lighting Up the Dreams of Son La Children,” at Muong Khieng 1 Secondary School on September 22. The event drew more than 1,000 students and parents from across the commune.

The Standing Boards of the Lao Cai and Son La provincial Party Committees held a conference in Lao Cai on September 22 to review cooperation between the two localities during the 2021-2025 period and agree on the orientations and areas of collaboration for 2026-2030.

With more than 2,600 hectares of coffee plantations, Chieng Coi ward has identified coffee as its key crop and is rolling out a range of measures to develop the sector sustainably, adapt to climate change and meet export market requirements, helping to raise local incomes.

The Son La provincial Centre for Agricultural Extension and Digital Transformation on September 22 organised a forum on enhancing governance and digital transformation capacity for agricultural cooperatives to build brands linked to eco-tourism. Participants included representatives from specialised agencies, the provincial Cooperative Alliance, experts, businesses, and 160 cooperatives from across the province.

The provincial Department of Public Security held a conference on September 22 to review two years of implementing the “Safe Traffic Transport Business” model across the province.