The province is home to 91 relic sites, 63 of which have been recognised in all four types of historical - cultural, architectural, archaeological relic sites and scenic spots. Of the total, there are 55 cultural and historical relic sites, including prison, martyrs’ cemeteries, memorial steles, monuments, and wartime-related addresses.  To date, two have been recognised as special national relic sites: namely the Son La Prison and the Vietnam - Laos revolutionary relic site in Yen Chau district.

Over the past years, the province has used local funds and social sources to restore and embellish these sites, thus helping preserve evidence of the heroic resistance wars of the nation for present and future generations.

Ngo Thi Hai Yen, Director of the Son La provincial Museum, said that the museum is managing six historical sites. The remaining are handed over to localities for management and protection.

After five times of restoration and embellishment, since 2018, some areas in the Son La Prison destroyed by war have been restored and then retained its architecture, helping visitors imagine the harshness of the prison, which was considered a "hell on earth". Every year, the relic site welcomes over 200,000 visitors, making it a must-visit address for tourists once they come to Son La. Promoting the value of this special national relic site, over the years, the provincial museum has renewed the form of organising sightseeing activities, and prepared dissemination topics and attractive presentations to serve the needs of educating the revolutionary tradition, while coordinating with schools and armed forces units to organise experiential activities to learn about historical figures and events as well as local cultural heritage such as “Ring the gold bell” and “I love history” contests to create attractive playgrounds for students and visitors.

Teacher Luu Van Khai, Vice Principal of the Son La provincial Boarding School for Ethnic Minority Students, shared that culture and history experiences at the provincial Museum associated with the Son La Prison are very practical, helping students better understand the historical tradition of the homeland, and foster their love for the history subject. This is also a useful solution to improve the quality of teaching local history to students.

Other historical sites in the province that have also promoted their value as places of education on revolutionary traditional and meaningful places to visit for tourists include Vietnam - Laos revolutionary historical relic site, Que Lam ngu che epitaph - Temple of King Le Thai Tong in Son La city; Monument to Tay Tien Regiment and Moc Ly Fort relic site in Moc Chau district; and Thuan Chau Monument relic site in Thuan Chau district.

Lo Ngoc Muon, a narrator at the Monument to Tay Tien Regiment, said that each year, the relic site welcomes more than 10,000 visitors, including war veterans, students, and working delegations inside and outside the province.

Information about typical historical and cultural sites is posted on the websites of the Culture, Sports and Tourism sector and localities. Related English-Vietnamese language brochures are also published and widely distributed to local people and tourists.

Promoting well the value of historical sites not only shows the respect of today's generation for the great sacrifices of their ancestors for the independence and freedom of the nation, but also serves tourism development, thus creating a highlight for tourism in localities./.