Area: 14,055 sq. km.
Population: 972,800 habitants (2004)
Capital: Son La Town.
Districts: Quynh Nhai, Muong La, Thuan Chau, Phu Yen, Bac Yen, Mai Son, Song Ma, Yen Chau, Moc Chau, Sop Cop.
Ethnic groups: Dao, Thai, Viet (Kinh), H'Mong, Muong.

Geography

Son La belongs to North-West Vietnam, shares border with Yenbai, Laocai, Laichau provinces on the north, Dien Bien Province on the west, Phutho and Hoabinh provinces on the east and Laos on the south.
The province has many mountains, rives and mineral sources. Abundant water supply is suitable to hydroelectricity. Moc Chau Plateau is an ideal place to breed milk cow, plant tea and fruit. Annual average temperature is about 21ºC. The weather is cold, dry in winter and hot in summer.
Tourism

Sonla owns following interesting sites. Son La Former Prison and Museum preserves revolutionary remains and exhibits precious objects introducing the historical and cultural traditions of the 12 ethnic groups living in Sonla. Stretching out 150m long, Tham Tet Toong Cave is a wonder of nature. Along the walls of the cave, there are numerous stalactites and stalagmites. Ban Hin (Hin ethnic minority hamlet) is marked by the traditions and culture of the Thai. There, tourists enjoy drinking ruou can and watching xoe dance by Thai women. Then visitor like to go to Yen Chau Site to try special bananas, longans and mangoes.
In 2nd lunar month, when ban flowers begins to blossom, coloring the mountains in white, Thai ethnic group held Hoa Ban Festival. Boys and girls go flower picking to celebrate the spring and entertain themselves by singing, playing tinh and khen flute, dancing xoe.
Transportation
Sonla connects Hoabinh by National Highway No. 6, Yen Bai by Highway No.37, Lao Cai by Higway No.279. Sonla Town is 328km from Hanoi. In Na San Airport, Vietnam Airlines has daily flight from Hanoi to Sonla.