In the first quarter of 2024, Son La province planted nearly 5,120 hectares of all kinds of vegetables, an increase of nearly 5.4% over the same period last year, with output reaching 55,230 tonnes, up over 6.3% year-on-year.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Cong worked with representatives from the Wincommerce General Commercial Services Joint Stock Company and the Central Retail Corporation in Hanoi on April 3 on cooperation agreements in selling agricultural products of Son La province in the 2024-2026 period.

Taking advantage of soil and climate conditions, many farmer households in Chieng Yen commune, Van Ho district have actively expanded the area of fruit trees. Currently, the commune has over 245 hectares of fruit trees, mainly citrus trees such as orange, tangerine and pomelo with total fruit output in 2023 reaching over 541 tonnes.

For many years, people in Chieng On commune, Quynh Nhai district have effectively utilised the water surface of the hydroelectric reservoir to develop cage culture and fishing.

Mai Son district is located in the province’s key economic region, with arterial roads passing through such as National Highways 6, 37, and 4G. Favourable geographical location, large natural area, concentrated raw material production areas of sugarcane, cassava and coffee, and fruit tree areas serving processing factories are important conditions to attract investment to the district.

A delegation of the European-American Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade on March 27 worked with the provincial Department of Industry and Trade to support the promotion of export of local strong products to international markets through direct export channels and foreign distribution systems. The working session was connected to the Vietnam trade offices abroad.

Implementing economic diplomacy in the period of promoting industrialisation and modernisation, Mai Son district focuses on creating a favourable investment environment, promoting internal strength, and making the most of investment resources to boost socio-economic development.

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has offered Son La strawberries to passengers on its flights, both domestic and international, from March 26-30, with up to 500 kilograms per day.

The total output of fresh tea buds in Son La province has so far reached 259 tonnes, an increase of 4.02% over the same period last year.

Son La province showcased its OCOP (One Commune One Product) products at the National Press Festival 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15-17.

Over the past years, Mai Son district has worked to lure more investments in agricultural processing factories, and set up linkages in developing raw material areas, contributing to raising product values and promoting sustainable development.

Son La province is home to over 36 safe vegetable supply chains, with a total area of ​​over 300 hectares and an annual output of about 13,000 tonnes. The vegetables undergo strict supervisions from variety selection and irrigation to the use of fertilizers and pesticides in line with VietGAP standards, providing safe products for consumers.

Son La province is home to 20,926 hectares of coffee, mainly Arabica, with Mai Son, Thuan Chau, Yen Chau and Sop Cop districts and Son La city as the main growing areas.

Implementing the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme, to date, Son La province has had 151 OCOP products rated 3-5 stars, which are divided into five main groups of food and beverages, herbs, souvenirs, services, and rural tourism.

Son La province has been assigned to realise over 3.99 trillion VND (161.6 million USD) worth of public investment in 2024. In February, departments, agencies, and People's Committees of districts and Son La city focused on implementing the plan, and allocated in detail over 2.96 trillion VND to their units.

Son La province’s total aquatic output in February is estimated at 113 tonnes, including 86 tonnes of fish, 23 tonnes of shrimp, and 4 tonnes of others.

Son La province’s state budget collection stood at 470 billion VND (19.08 million USD) in the first two months of this year, equivalent to 10.5% of the estimate assigned by the provincial People’s Council.

In recent years, Son La has become a bright spot of the northwest region in socio-economic development, especially agriculture and tourism. On December 25, 2023, the Prime Minister approved the Master Plan of Son La province for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. This is the legal basis to synchronously connect planning schemes of administrations at all levels and sectors; shape strategic breakthroughs in institutional reform and infrastructure development; and promote the attraction of domestic and foreign investments.

Son La province's industrial structure last year changed in the direction of increasing the proportion of manufacturing and processing industries, and gradually narrowing the mining industry.

The value of goods exports and imports between Son La province and its neighbouring Lao provinces reached over 982,000 USD in 2023.