Forty years ago, on March 2, 1985, the Son La provincial Museum was officially established, based on the Northwest Region Museum, and later the Museum Desk of the Son La provincial Department of Culture. Over the course of 40 years of construction and development, the Son La provincial Museum has consistently adhered to the political tasks assigned, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the rich historical and cultural values of the ethnic groups in Son La.

If the colourful traditional costumes of the mountainous ethnic groups are regarded as works of art, their creators should undoubtedly be celebrated as artisans. Behind each masterpiece lies a meticulous and creative process, where every detail is thoughtfully crafted to form distinctive patterns that embody the cultural identity of each ethnic group.

In order to become a friendly and safe city rich in cultural identity, Son La city has established cultural houses in all 139 residential areas, hamlets, and sub-areas.

The hair-washing festival of the White Thai people in Quynh Nhai takes place annually on the 30th day of the last lunar month. This traditional custom is closely associated with the legend of ‘Nang Han’ (Miss Han), a talented and courageous female general of the Thai ethnic group who played a vital role in driving away foreign invaders and safeguarding the nation’s borders. 

For generations, blacksmithing has been more than just a trade for the Mong ethnic people—it has been essential to daily life, crafting vital farming tools and supporting local production. Despite the rise of mass-produced, low-cost industrial tools, the forges in Ta So 1 hamlet, Chieng Hac commune, Moc Chau township, still burn brightly. Day and night, artisans keep the flames alive, preserving the essence of their traditional craft.

A cultural space of Long Luong commune took place on February 9 as part of the Long Luong Peach Blossom Festival.

A contest featuring the traditional costumes of ethnic groups in Quynh Nhai district was held at the district Media and Culture Center on February 8 evening.

As part of the ongoing "Journey to the ancient rock field of Hang Chu commune" festival 2025, Hang Chu commune has hosted a series of exciting cultural, art, and traditional sports activities.

Each year, on the occasion of the New Year celebration, the Mong ethnic community in Hang Chu hamlet, Hang Chu commune, Bac Yen district, holds the Tua Senh stone pillar worship ceremony.

The People’s Committee of Phu Yen district organized the Mong ethnic beauty contest on December 22 evening in Phu Yen town’s Dong Da urban area.

The Mong ethnic group has many unique and distinctive traditional cultural features, expressed through their clothing, language, folk music, festivals, and traditional crafts. Recently, Moc Chau district has supported the establishment of the Mong Ethnic Folk Culture Club in Pa Khen 3 Sub-area, Moc Chau Farm town, contributing to enriching the spiritual and cultural life of the people and supporting the development of local tourism.

The People's Committee of Moc Chau district on December 15 held a ceremony to launch the Mong Ethnic Group Folk Culture Club in Pa Khen 3 hamlet, Moc Chau Farm town, and an experimental programme titled "Echoes from the Mountain and Forest."

Moc Chau district held a training course on November 23-25 on methods and skills for preserving the traditional festivals of the Dao ethnic group, with a focus on tapping these festivals for tourism development.

All four performances of Son La province won prizes, including two A and two C, at the seventh Then singing and Tinh musical instrument festival of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups, held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism on November 16-18.

Thuan Chau district’s Culture - Information Centre organised the re-enactment of the Lang Pang A Festival of the La Ha ethnic group in Han hamlet, Chieng Pha commune, on November 17-18.

The ancient books of the Thai and Dao ethnic groups in Son La province are a treasure trove of knowledge, reflecting the culture, history, and development of the local people. They form a cultural heritage that needs to be preserved, protected, and promoted.

Thuan Chau district’s Nong Lay commune is home to 170 households of the Kho Mu ethnic group, primarily in Phieng Nong and Bo Ma hamlets. The ethnic community is working hard to preserve and promote their distinct customs and cultural traditions.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on October 21 opened a training course on folk culture for members of folk singing and dancing clubs in Chieng Pan commune, Yen Chau district, aiming to preserve and promote the unique cultural values of the Thai ethnic community there.

As part of activities to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of Bac Yen district and its Party Organization (1964-2024), ‘top’ panpipe dances of the Mong ethnic group were performed by artisans and residents in Son La and Yen Bai provinces on October 18, at the district stadium.

The firefighting and rescue police unit of Moc Chau on October 7 coordinated with the Moc Ly Primary School in the district to in disseminating firefighting and rescue skills for more than 900 staff members, teachers and students of the school.