The judging panel for the 2025 outstanding rural industrial products of Son La province on October 27 convened at the provincial centre for investment, trade and tourism promotion to evaluate the shortlisted products.

The Son La Department of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the communes of Bac Yen, Ta Khoa, Pac Nga, and Chieng Sai, on October 24 released fingerlings into Da River reservoir to replenish aquatic resources.

Son La has entered the 2025-2026 coffee harvest season as buying prices hit a record high of 25,000-30,000 VND (0.95-1.14 USD) per kilogramme of fresh cherries, bringing cheer to local farmers. Alongside the price boost, the province is directing efforts to ensure harvesting follows technical standards to safeguard the quality and reputation of the “Son La Coffee” brand.

Son La province currently has 262 safe agricultural and aquatic product supply chains, contributing to improving product quality and value.

Yen Son commune currently cultivates more than 700 hectares of fruit trees, mainly longan, mango, orange, custard apple, and strawberry, with annual output topping 5,000 tonnes.

Situated in the Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir area, many households in Doan Ket commune have invested in fish farming.

Binh Thuan currently has more than 800 hectares of tea, primarily consisting of Kim Tuyen and Shan Tuyet tea varieties. Of this, 738 hectares are currently being harvested, while the remaining area houses newly planted tea.

As of the end of September, total capital mobilised by credit institutions across the province reached nearly 43.24 trillion VND, an increase of 21.01%. Total outstanding loans reached approximately 52 trillion VND (1.97 billion USD), up 15.12% compared to the same period last year.

Yen Chau commune has 16 OCOP (one commune one product) products, including three 4-star products: Diep Bach black garlic, On Oc Shan Tuyet tea, and Hoshi black garlic. The remaining products are rated 3-star.

Syngenta Vietnam Co., Ltd. coordinated with the Soils and Fertilisers Institute under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Son La province to organise a mid-term review workshop on the “Sustainable Maize Cultivation on Sloping Land” model on October 16 in Chieng Sai commune.

As part of the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme, Phu Yen commune has successfully developed 11 OCOP products rated from 3 to 4 stars. These belong to three main categories: food products, handicrafts, and medicinal or herbal products.

Chieng Mai currently has 18 cooperatives with over 200 members, operating in agriculture, services, agro-product processing, and livestock. Many of them have proactively innovated their operations, and partnered with businesses and researchers to produce high-quality agricultural products that meet market demands.

To enhance the value of its products, Son La province has focused on implementing scientific tasks, with focus on building and developing brands for key agricultural products, thereby contributing to affirming their quality and origin in the market. This effort has created legal barriers to prevent copying and counterfeiting, protecting production, maximising commercial value and strengthening consumer trust.

Arabica coffee has been cultivated in Son La since the 1990s, primarily in former Mai Son and Thuan Chau districts, and Son La city. After overcoming many challenges, coffee has emerged as one of the province’s key crops, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers, driving agricultural restructuring, increasing value, and expanding export markets.

With its favourable climate, stunning landscapes, hospitable people, and rich cultural identity, Ngoc Chien commune has been actively developing trade, services, and tourism. The commune’s appearance has significantly improved, its economic structure has shifted positively, and the living standards of local residents continue to rise.

The provincial Industrial Parks Authority held a conference on October 13 to present the decision approving the investment policy and investor for the Son La Cascara instant coffee factory project to Cascara Coffee JSC.

A contest to choose the most beautifully arranged booths was held at Tay Bac Square on October 9 afternoon, as part of a series of activities organised by the provincial Farmers’ Union to welcome the 16th provincial Party Congress and the 130th founding anniversary of Son La province (October 10, 1895–2025).

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment on October 7-8 hosted an agricultural forum themed “Agricultural Extension Supporting Farmers in Smart Coffee Farming Adapted to Climate Change.” The event brought together over 200 participants, including experts, representative from businesses and cooperatives, and coffee growers from Son La and Dien Bien provinces.

The Son La provincial Industrial Park Authority on October 7 held a working session with BHL Food Ingredients Processing JSC to prepare for the inauguration of the BHL Son La modified starch processing plant. The project forms part of activities celebrating the 130th anniversary of Son La province’s establishment.

The Son La provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations, in collaboration with the provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund, on October 2 organised a consultation workshop on building a project to promote agroforestry livelihood models and sustainable green tourism funded by forest environmental service payments of the community in Ngoc Chien commune.