The Son La provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD), held a meeting on August 29 to implement activities under the second phase of the project to mitigate, adapt to climate change in agroforestry in the Northwestern region (VM076).

Alongside ongoing efforts to develop technical infrastructure and ensure ready land availability for investment projects, the Son La provincial Industrial Parks Authority (SIPA) has actively innovated and enhanced its investment promotion strategies to improve the investment climate within local industrial parks (IPs).

In July, Son La province saw the establishment of 114 new enterprises and affiliated units, an increase of 143.1% compared to the same period last year, with a total newly registered capital of 186 billion VND (7 million USD).

In line with the Government’s preferential credit policies, the provincial branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP Son La) has implemented a loan programme to support households engaged in production and business activities in disadvantaged areas.

To increase value and enhance competitiveness for farm produce, Son La province has focused on building, managing, and developing brands, as well as fostering trust and uniqueness to secure a solid foothold in the global market.

Since the beginning of this year, 29 new cooperatives have been established across Son La province, bringing the total to 1,179 with approximately 11,800 members. Of these, 998 are currently operating, primarily in the agricultural sector, accounting for nearly 80%.

Currently, there are seven active foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Son La province, with a total registered capital of 153.6 million USD.

Son La province has 2,964 hectares of aquaculture areas and 7,000 fish cages. In July, the province’s total aquaculture output reached nearly 611 tonnes, including 602 tonnes of fish and 8.7 tonnes of other aquatic products, up 1.94% and 1.78% year-on-year respectively.

Taking advantage of a natural area of 164sq.km, flat terrain, fertile soil, and abundant water resources, the people of Mai Son commune have focused on developing agriculture, particularly fruit cultivation, in a specialised, high-tech direction to improve the quality and value of agricultural products.

Son La is increasingly establishing itself as an attractive investment destination, thanks to the active efforts of local authorities. A key player in this success is the provincial Centre for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, which serves as a vital bridge supporting hundreds of businesses, cooperatives, and household enterprises in expanding their markets both domestically and internationally.

The Silviculture Research Institute (SRI) under the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, in collaboration with the Farmers’ Unions of Son La province and Yen Chau commune, on August 11 launched a training workshop on Teak (Tectona grandis) seedling propagation and plating in Yen Chau.

A working delegation from the Son La provincial Industrial Zones Management Board on August 9 visited and worked with representatives from Dream Plastic Co., Ltd. and Mavin Foods Joint Venture Co., Ltd. in Ninh Binh province to exchange experience in investment attraction and strengthen cooperation with businesses that have been investing in Son La’s Mai Son Industrial Park.

Son La province currently has 445 cooperatives owned by farmers, operating in various sectors such as crop cultivation, animal husbandry, aquaculture, agricultural services, handicrafts, tourism, and general services.

Son La, home to over 85,000 hectares of fruit and son tra (docynia indica) trees, expects an output of around 510,000 tonnes in 2025. Local authorities are rolling out a series of concerted solutions to improve product value and expand distribution channels for agricultural goods.

Total revenue from passenger, cargo and transport services in Son La province reached over 2.05 trillion VND (78.4 million USD), up 12.76% year-on-year.

With 11 chapters and seven member organisations comprising a total of 859 members, the provincial Business Association is gradually establishing a business-linked support ecosystem aimed at boosting production and trade. The network also facilitates experience sharing, and product and trade promotion, and contributes actively to social welfare initiatives.

In the first six months of this year, Son La’s consumer price index (CPI) increased by 2.75% compared to the same period in 2024.

This summer-autumn crop, the residents of Quynh Nhai commune have cultivated over 340 hectares of rice.

Son La province currently has over 524,000 buffaloes and cows, 652,000 pigs, and approximately 8.35 million poultry.

Since the beginning of the year, the total output of fresh tea buds in Son La province has reached 16,750 tonnes, an increase of 2.6% from the same period last year. This production has fully met the demand for raw materials from enterprises, cooperatives, and processing units for both domestic consumption and export.