The hybrid meeting was chaired by Nguyen Minh Tien, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and deputy head of the council, and attended by representatives of provincial departments and agencies as well as the consulting firm drafting the revisions.

Implementing Resolution No. 1681/NQ-UBTVQH15 dated June 16, 2025 of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the reorganisation of commune-level administrative units in Son La in 2025, and Resolution No. 66.2/NQ-CP dated August 28, 2025 of the government on addressing bottlenecks in adjusting planning frameworks amid administrative restructuring and the rollout of a two-tier local administration model, the Son La People’s Committee has proactively coordinated with ministries, ministerial-level agencies and relevant bodies to revise the provincial master plan. The process has been carried out in line with the 2025 Planning Law and central resolutions and directives, ensuring timelines and quality while meeting local practical needs.

The province spans 14,109.83 sq.km, the sixth largest nationwide, with 75 commune-level administrative units and a population of about 1.4 million across 12 ethnic groups. Son La aims to rank among the better-performing provinces in the northern midland and mountainous region, serve as a hub for the western sub-region, emerge as a key tourism destination for the region and the Vietnam–Laos border area, and become a centre for agricultural processing in the northern uplands. By 2050, the province is targeting green development anchored in cultural identity, with stronger economic foundations, political stability, faster social and cultural progress, and firmly safeguarded national defence and security.

The latest revision of the provincial master plan is seen as critical to updating provisions that are no longer fit for purpose, identifying development headroom and growth drivers, and defining strategic breakthroughs, providing a scientific basis for leadership, direction and governance in the province’s next development phase.

At the meeting, the appraisal council heard a briefing on the proposed revisions to the provincial master plan and the appraisal report on the revised master plan for Son La for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050. The Department of Finance, acting as the council’s standing body, presented a consolidated report addressing feedback and explanations from council members and reviewers, as part of efforts to further finalise the revised planning dossier in line with regulations.

Delegates reviewed and commented on the revised provincial master plan, focusing on Son La’s position and role within the region and nationwide; development opportunities, challenges and bottlenecks; development viewpoints, objectives and scenarios; priority sectors and strategic breakthroughs; spatial development planning; and resource allocation and implementation measures. The council also weighed on the draft appraisal report prepared by its standing body.

Taking into account appraisals from ministries and agencies, expert reviews and input from its members, the appraisal council agreed to endorse the revised provincial master plan for Son La for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050. The council asked the Department of Finance to incorporate the feedback and continue working with the consulting firm and relevant members to finalise the planning dossier for submission for approval in line with regulations.