Making use of local medicinal herbs, the Muong La Medicinal Herb Cooperative in Sub-zone 1, Muong La commune, has developed a range of natural herbal products, gradually building its brand, expanding markets, increasing the value of local agricultural produce and creating jobs for rural workers.

From mid-October through February, Navel orange orchards in Phieng Khoai commune turn golden against a backdrop of lush green foliage. The delicate citrus fragrance and fresh mountain air attract visitors eager to explore the orchards, experience local farming and sample fresh produce. The seasonal appeal is helping promote local agricultural products, increase their value and boost tourism.

With more than 10,500 hectares of water surface spanning four communes - Quynh Nhai, Muong Chien, Muong Gion and Muong Sai, the Quynh Nhai reservoir area offers significant potential for economic development. Alongside cage fish farming and ecotourism, the area is attracting renewable energy projects, opening up sustainable livelihoods that help local residents increase their incomes and improve their livelihoods.

The Son La provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD), held a kick-off meeting for the Sustainable Coffee Exchange (SCE) project on October 12.

The provincial People’s Committee held a workshop on “Sustainable coffee development towards an ecological approach in Son La province” on October 11.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment has been organising 50 training courses on surveying, collecting and updating information, and building a database of coffee-growing areas across 27 communes and wards in the province, in response to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) .

In 2026, Mai Son commune was allocated 89 billion VND (3.43 million USD) in public investment capital to implement seven ongoing projects and five newly launched projects. As of October 2, more than 56 billion VND had been disbursed, equivalent to over 63% of the annual plan. To ensure public investment disbursement stays on schedule, Mai Son is focusing on resolving site clearance bottlenecks, accelerating construction, and expediting project acceptance and completion of payment documentation in accordance with regulations.

An inter-sectoral delegation led by the provincial Department of Industry and Trade on October 1 worked with Phuc Sinh Son La JSC on plans for 2026-2027 coffee production and processing, and preparations for the second Son La Coffee Festival.

Bordering the key coffee-growing area of Thuan Chau, communes in the Quynh Nhai area have also been gradually developing coffee as a crop that provides farmers with stable livelihoods and higher incomes, alongside the development of sustainable raw-material areas.

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

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.

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 Centre for Agricultural Extension and Digital Transformation, Binh Dien Fertilizer JSC, and the provincial Farmers’ Association jointly held a workshop in Binh Thuan commune on September 19 to review the results of the climate-smart coffee farming model for the 2025–2026 crop season. The event brought together 150 coffee growers from Binh Thuan and neighbouring communes.

Instead of relying on small-scale production and traditional farming practices, farmers in Van Ho commune are gradually adopting organic-oriented methods and building stronger links for marketing and selling their produce. Cooperatives and professional farmers’ groups are emerging as key platforms helping farmers change how they think about production, improve farming practices and increase the value generated from their farming land.