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You are seeking a destination where you can not only enjoy vast green plateau,
touching clouds on grandiose mountains and wallowing in melodious streams on
river; but can also explore the most exciting part of Vietnamese culture
reflected by ethnic minorities? Son La is the place you are trying hard to
figure out, let’s pack-up and see what interesting features are waiting for us
in this highland.
Son La is located in Northwestern Vietnam with its topography fully describe
geographical traits of this area of Vietnam with many mountains, hills, rivers
and mineral sources, surrounded by primitive forests. Son La border quite many
provinces such as Lao Cai and
Yen Bai to the North; Phu Tho and
Hoa Binh to the
East; Dien Bien to the West; and Thanh Hoa and Laos to the South.
This province was first appeared on Vietnamese map during King Le Thanh Tong
Dynasty in 1479 as a part of Hung Hoa Province. The province has gone through a
lot of changes in its area before officially named
Son La on 23/8/1964.
Son La used to be a part of Viet Bac Interzone, consisting of the 6 Northwestern
provinces that was headquarters of Vietnam Communist Party and Viet Minh
Government during resistance war against French colonist in 1945.
Right in the central of Son La City, tourists would have chance to visit the
most renowned relic of this province, which is Son La Former Prison and Museum.
The site is preserving historic objects – evidences of a difficult but heroic
time during the war; and also exhibiting the historical and cultural tradition
of 12 ethnic groups living here.
Son La City also possesses the “Que Lam Ngu Che” Epitaph erected since 1440
written by King Le Thai Tong. Nearby the epitaph is a temple built for worship
of the respected king and the natural wonder “Tham Bao Ke” Cave. Attending tours
to Son La, visitors may have unforgettable experiences by visiting cultural
ethnic minorities’ communes. Ones are given opportunities to rest in special
inns there, which are stilts houses exclusively available in ethnic minorities’
villages. The locals there are very hospitable who are pleased to treat you
their specialties like “Ruou Can” (wine with straws); “Mang Lay” (special bamboo
sprout); “Com Lam” or roasted fishes.
Son La Highland is most famous for its imposing
Moc Chau Plateau, which is an
ideal place for milk-cow breading, tea and fruits planting. Not only that, Moc
Chau Plateau won’t disappoint travelers with its wide range of natural wonders
like “Hang Doi” (Bat Cave);
“Thac Dai Yem” (Brassiere Waterfall) and immense
forests of pine hidden behind soft mist. It would be a big mistake if ones come
to Son La but miss to visit this wonderland.
Another indispensible destination is the gigantic hydroelectric dam of Son La,
the biggest hydroelectric dam of Indochina.
Furthermore, Son La is a venue of ecoregions for ones who want fresh air,
peacefulness and to mix with the nature. Going on a boat downstream of the
smooth Da River, passing Ta Khoa, to Van Yen wharf and reach Muong La to
experience charming landscapes on the river’s sides. Letting the water current
to guide you to Hang Chu Village where Hong Ngai Commune is located to taste
“Hong Ngai” wine and witness the primitive beauty of orchids inside deep
forests; to touch floating clouds on hill tops or dipping in cool fresh streams.
Hoa Ban (White Bauhinia) is the symbol of this Northwestern Province as this
white of flower appears in numbers of poems admiring its beauty. Besides, Son La
is also one of the sources of Hoa Dao (Prunus Persica), which is a symbol of Tet
in the North of Vietnam.
Spring should be the best time to fully explore natural beauty and special
culture of Son La when forests of both the flowers bloom beautifully. Spring is
also the season of festival when Tet Holiday definitely the most enthusiastic
occasion of the year takes place; as well as lavish carnivals of ethnic groups
in Son La like Xoe Dancing, “Khèn” Flute performance or “Còn” Throwing
competition.
Son La’s culinary is not very diverse, however, it still occupies some popular
dishes and drinks like buffalo meat, Thit Gac Bep, Com Lam and Ruou Can.
How to get there?
Son La is 320km to the Northwest of Hanoi, along National Highway No. 6, through
Dien Bien so tourist may visit this historic city on the way as well. Coaches
are available to you in stations in Hanoi with a fare of about 100,000 VND. For
romantic travelers, going on boats from Hoa Binh Lake to Son La is a good
suggestion. |
