Attending the event were representatives of the Vietnam National Committee for the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB); the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency; the People and Nature Reconciliation; the Centre for Nature Conservation and Development; non-governmental organisations; and units under the Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Son La has a natural area of 1,410,889 hectares, of which forest and forestry land accounts for 696,872.5 hectares, including 334,638.7 hectares of protection forest; 88,399.3 hectares of special-use forest; and 273,834.5 hectares of production forest. The area covered by forests is 671,596.3 hectares, with an estimated forest cover rate of 48.5%. Son La boasts the third-largest forest area nationwide (prior to provincial mergers in July 2025) and ranks first in the northern midlands and mountainous region. With its large forest scale and forest ecosystems typical of the northwestern highlands, Son La is one of the most important biodiversity hub in the Northwest.

Implementing Plan No. 221/KH-UBND dated November 5, 2025, of the Son La provincial People’s Committee on organising surveys, investigations, and assessments of potential for proposing the establishment and recognition of a Biosphere Reserve (BR) within the biodiversity corridor from Muong La Nature Reserve to Ta Xua Special-Use Forest in Son La province, relevant departments and units have conducted surveys, investigations, and assessments. The total proposed area for the biosphere reserve is 190,000 hectares, mainly in the eastern and northeastern parts of the province.

The biodiversity corridor area within the survey and assessment zone covers approximately 46,924 hectares and is connected by three areas: Area 1 is Muong La Nature Reserve with 17,897 hectares; Area 2 is Ta Xua Special-Use Forest with 16,956 hectares; and Area 3 is the forest area adjacent to Areas 1 and 2 (located in Ngoc Chien, Chieng Hoa, and Hang Chu communes) with 12,071 hectares. The biodiversity corridor lies on the southeastern side of the Hoang Lien Son range, running along the watershed of the Da River and bordering Lao Cai province, forming a vast land strip with high, rugged mountainous terrain and steep slopes, serving as a natural boundary between river basins in the region.

At the conference, delegates focused on discussing many important topics, including an overview of forest resources; orientations for sustainable forestry development in Son La province; the current status of forests and biodiversity in the proposed biosphere reserve area; UNESCO’s MAB Programme with a focus on sustainable development linked to community livelihoods; the legal framework and experience from biosphere reserve systems at home and abroad; economic, social, and nature conservation benefits of establishing a biosphere reserve; how to use the “biosphere reserve brand” for local development; and opportunities to access funding and international cooperation.

The conference’s comprehensive assessment of forest resources and orientations for sustainable forestry development provides a solid scientific basis for the province to implement subsequent steps and propose competent authorities allow Son La to develop a dossier for establishing a biosphere reserve, aiming toward sustainable development and harmony between nature conservation and improving the quality of life for ethnic communities across the province.