Macadamia trees began to be planted in Son La in 2000, but by 2010, growers really paid attention to expanding the area. From a small growing area piloted by few farmers, the area of macadamia in the province has increased to nearly 1,000 hectares, mainly in the districts of Mai Son, Thuan Chau, Quynh Nhai, Sop Cop and Song Ma, with an average yield of 8 tonnes of fruit per hectare per year.

In 2022, the provincial People's Committee approved a project on registration of protection, building and implementation of a “Son La Macadamia” mark management system for this local product, in order to develop a macadamia value chain in the direction of linking farmers and cooperatives with processing and trading enterprises; and improve its competitiveness in the market.

As the state management agency for the project, and also the agency that owns the “Son La Macadamia” certification mark, the provincial Department of Science and Technology regularly examines the progress and gives comments on the project activities, while selecting samples, certification criteria, map of product areas bearing the certification mark, as well as regulations on management and use of the certification mark, and a system of regulations on controlling the quality of products with certification mark to complete the application for registration of “Son La Macadamia” certification mark protection.

With nearly 300 hectares of macadamia, Mai Son district has directed units to encourage forest owners, households, and cooperatives to link with businesses to grow macadamia trees to develop afforestation and create livelihoods for farmers. It has also established macadamia growing cooperatives and cooperative groups, applied appropriate mechanisms and policies to attract enterprises to associate production with consumption and processing towards building the provincial OCOP product brand for local macadamia products.

Actively associating with companies and businesses, Na Ban macadamia cooperative in the district’s Hat Lot commune has planted 42 hectares of macadamia, of which 8 hectares can be harvested. In 2022, the cooperative yielded more than 10 tonnes of macadamia nuts, and earned nearly 800 million VND (33,400 USD). In 2021, the cooperative signed a contract to produce and sell products with Dat Thuy Co., Ltd., in Co Noi commune. The company has provided seeds for the cooperative and supported it in planting, caring, and pruning techniques, thus helping improve the nut quality. The cooperative's macadamia nut is purchased by the company for 70,000 VND (2.9 USD) per kg.

For the sustainable development of macadamia growing areas, Son La province strives to raise its macadamia area to over 5,000 hectares by 2025 and 10,000 hectares by 2030. The registration of protection, building and implementation of a “Son La Macadamia” certification mark management system has contributed to popularising local macadamia products, promoting production, attracting investment, and building a value chain that brings long-term economic benefits to local people and businesses towards sustainable development./.