Hanoi (VNA) ) 𝓀– Visiting the northern province of Son La, tourists will have a chance to not only take in the stunning beauty of the forests, mountains, and terraced fields but also explore the culture of the Tay, Dao, Muong, and Mong ethnic groups.

Moc Chau plateau

Moc Chau Plateau carries an idyllic, rustic beauty, and bold features of northwestern mountains. They can go to Moc Chau any time of the year because, in any season, it has its own charm. From late winter to early spring, Moc Chau usually sees the highest number of visitors in a year. Popular destinations in Moc Chau include the Moc Chau tea hills, Hang Doi relic site, Tay Tien army relic, Pha Luong peak, the caves in On village, the forest in Ang village, Dai Yem waterfall, Chieng Khoa waterfall, and the Moc Chau cattle ranch.

Son La prison

The special national relic Son La prison is also known as the "hell on earth" in the northwestern region. It was built by French colonialists in the early 1900s and used to detain thousands of Vietnamese communists and patriots. Son La prison sits atop Khau Ca hill, from which a panoramic view of Son La city can be obtained. Some of the prison’s underground and above-ground cells are as small as one square meter. The prison has solid walls of stone and brick, a cement roof, and beds made of stone and cement to which prisoners were attached with fetters. Its design makes it hot in summer and cold in winter, and its filthy conditions bred contagious diseases.

Son La hydropower plant

Construction of the Son La hydropower plant started in 2005 on the Da River and it was inaugurated in 2012. Its reservoir covers an area of about 16,000 ha, stretching over 150 km. The waters have brought great potential for tourism development there. Tourism cooperative models have been developed in villages such as Bon village or Na Tau village. The area is home to ethnic groups with unique festivals such as the Quynh Nhai White Thai Hair Wash Festival, the Khang's Xen Pang A Festival, the new rice celebration, and the boat racing festival.

Ta Xua

Ta Xua, standing 1,500-1,800m above sea level, is known as an ideal destination for cloud watching and hunting. It has a cool climate all year round. From January to March is the most suitable time for cloud-hunting trips. Coming to Ta Xua, visitors can take beautiful photos of the Dinosaur Spine-shaped route in Hang Dong, the Rock of Turtle's Head, Ta Xua primeval forest, and the lonely hawthorn tree.

Pha Din Pass

As one of the "Four Great Peaks" of Vietnam, Pha Din pass has a length of about 32km, located on the border between Son La and Dien Bien provinces. Its peak is 1,648 meters above sea level. During Vietnam’s resistance war against the French invaders (1946-1954), Pha Din pass was part of the pipeline supplying ammunition and food to the Dien Bien Phu battlefield. It was where 8,000 young volunteers, militia, and workers carried ammunition and rice up the mountain every day.

Caves in On village

The five caves in On village were first discovered by local people in 2006, and have now become a popular attraction for those who love exploring and trekking. To explore the cave complex, visitors will have to spend about a day trekking along the trail leading to the cave. The scenery along the road is also very poetic with long fields and plenty of wild flowers.

Mong village

Mong village is home to more than 106 Thai ethnic households who earn their living mainly on wet rice cultivation, animal husbandry, weaving, and brocade embroidery. The traditional cultural values of the Thai people such as costumes, jewelry, cuisine, traditional festivals, folk songs, and folk dances are still preserved intact. The village also attracts tourists with its abundant hot mineral water sources, charming scenery, undulating overlapping mountains, and winding Nam La river.

Muong Tac field

Muong Tac field covers an area of about 1,600ha, stretching along the Tac stream. The field embraces three sides of Phu Yen town with winding terraced fields which have been well preserved for generations.

Luot village in Muong La

Luot village is located in Muong La district’s Ngoc Chien commune, at an altitude of over 1,800m above sea level. The village has a fresh and cool climate which compares with resort towns like Da Lat of the Central Highland province of Lam Dong, Ba Na Hill of Da Nang city or Sa Pa of Lao Cai province. In addition, the wild and majestic natural landscape, along with the natural hot mineral water, has brought the village advantages in tourism development. The stilt houses in Luot village often have Po Mu ( Fokienia hodginsii) wooden roofs which are hundreds of years old. Friendly people and unique cultural identities create favourable conditions for community-based tourism models./.