SON LA → Travel Guide + Tips + Map

ℹ️ Information about Son La
🌄 Ta Xua Nature Reserve
🚍 How to get to Son La
☀️ Weather in Son La
🏡 Accommodation in Son La
🔍 Interesting sites in Son La
📍 Map of interesting places

Discover Hidden Gems: Son La Province, Where Nature and Culture Unite.

• • Son La province (Sơn La) is a good place to stop if you are coming down from Dien Bien to Moc Chau or vice versa. You will not find too many tourists and historic sites. Up to 80% of the natural environment is covered by mountains. A lot of people of different ethnic groups (Ma, Hmong, Dao, Muong, Kinh, Tay, Thai, …) live in this province, you can visit their villages. Many villages are located north of the town of Son La, along the TL106 road for about 20 km, and further northwest, the road QL6 and AH13 for about 40 km.

On a motorcycle you can go to the one of the largest dams in Vietnam.

• • In this area is one of the biggest dams in Vietnam – Son La Dam, built because the region suffers from water shortages. This dam is about 50 km north from the city on the river Da and there is no problem getting there on a motorcycle. The Son La Dam was completed in 2012 and became for a time the largest hydroelectric producer in Vietnam. Along the way you pass many interesting villages. Look on the map below the article. The largest dam in Vietnam is in Hoa Binh province.
  • The Black River (Sông Đà) is the longest river of northern Vietnam, it is 527 km long. The Black River is the most important tributary of the Red River. It also forms part of the border between Phú Thọ Province and Hanoi. People use the water to irrigate rice fields in the lower reaches.

The THAI people – the 3rd biggest ethnic group in Vietnam (1,500,000 residents).

• • Members of the Thai ethnic minority are the 3rd biggest ethnic group in Vietnam after the the Tay inhabitants. Their number is estimated at less than 2% of the total population of Vietnam. The approximate number is about 1.5 million inhabitants. The people of this minority live mainly in Son La, Mai Chau, Lao Cai and Lai Chau. In the area of Lai Chau and Lao Cai in the north live more people of the White Thais. While in the southern part of the province of Son La, Yen Bai and Mai Chau live members of the Black Thais.

  Accommodation in Son La ➜

  • The Thai ethnic minority is well known for its beautifully woven garments and other accessories and typical houses on stilts. These houses are designed to protect the residents from possible flooding and from dangerous animals.

Son La is an area with Thai ethnic residents, these people came from Thailand.

• • Another popular visited place near the town of Son La is Hua La village (5 km south). Its a very easily accessible location in the beautiful valley and hills. The valley is covered with coffee trees, plums or apricots. I recommend you taste some typical dishes of the Black Thais, for example Pia (meat sauce with different parts of cattle) or Ruan Can (wine with straw).

Pha Din Pass (Đèo Pha Đin) on the road to Dien Bien Phu.

• • Son La is a good place for stopover if you continue to visit Dien Bien Phu. If you will be travel to Dien Bien Phu you should not miss another beautiful pass in northern Vietnam – Pha Din Pass (Đèo Pha Đin). This pass is about 60 km from the town of Son La.

Visit a prison and museum from the time of French colonization (1908).

• • From this period one of the most famous monuments is the prison which was well known as “hell on earth“. It was known for the brutality the French colonists practiced on prisoners. You will find this prison on the top of Khau Ca Hill, Khau Ca street. At the Trade Union hotel in the north of Son La town is a good viewing point to the city. It is possible to rent a motorbike in this hotel, in the city you may have a problem with renting a motorbike.

Bus Tickets from Hanoi to Son La ➜

You can visit Ta Xua nature reserve in Son La province.

• • About 3 km north of the city its a good idea to stop and look into the Tham Tet Toong cave. This cave is 150 m long with the beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Above the cave there are the cliffs and hills covered with the green trees. West of the town of Son La is a small town – Thuan Chau, which hosts an ethnic market with different products (bags, pendants, materials…).

Ta Xua nature reserve is not easily accesible, but it is stunning.

• • Ta Xua nature reserve also belongs to the province of Son La, but is located about 90 km from the city of Son La. A beautiful and stunning place full of nature and a convenient place for „cloud hunters“. The best way how to get from Son La town to Ta Xua nature reserve, for example to the Dinosaur Backbone (Sống Lưng Khủng Long), is by a motorbike.

• • But there are some local buses between Son La and Phu Yen (Phu Yen is about 25 from Bac Yen), so you can stop in Bac Yen town – a starting point for exploration, rent a motorbike in hotel and start to explore this place on your own. From Bac Yen you can travel by motorbike to Ta Xua village (about 13 km), it is good to know, some road conditions in Ta Xua nature reserve are very bad.

Ta Xua nature reserve is suitable only for experienced motorbikers.

• • Some roads in Ta Xua nature reserve are not in a good condition and some stretches are destroyed. You can travel there only if you have some experinces with driving a motorbike. Because it is a mountainous area there is also the danger of landslides and it is not suitable to travel there.

• • However, if you are in Bac Yen town and weather is nice, you can make a beautiful trip through the Ta Xua village to Sống Lưng Khưng Long (Dinosaur backbone). The whole journey offers fascinating views of the surrounding area and you can see a bit of the reservation. Ta Xua Village (13 km from Bac Yen) offers also some food and snacks and some homestays. You can also stay right at Dinosaur Backbone, you can use Y Xoa Homestay.

If you want to visit Ta Xua Reserve or Dinosaur backbone go to Bac Yen town.

• • Bac Yen in Son La province is a typical small vietnamese town without tourists. There are various shops and several small restaurants in the town, as well as a town market to visit. The market in Bac Yen is visited by various ethnic minorities (mainly Hmongs), and ethnic residents also operate their businesses here. You can also buy their classic embroidered clothing and ethnic costumes.

Book motorbike in Vietnam online

• • Stay at Bac Yen town before exploring Ta Xua Nature Reserve or the surrounding area. There are some small guesthouses and hotels. This area is one of the places that foreign tourists do not visit, but that does not mean you should miss this place. It is the closest town to Ta Xua village and Dinosaur backbone.

 

• • The entire area is suitable for riding a motorcycle, the roads are in very good condition. Son La has a mild climate, so you can come here at any time. The best months are in the spring time. The weather is almost the same as in Hanoi.

Moc Chau district is a very good stopover in northwest Vietnam.

• • Moc Chau is a district of Son La province and its capital is of the same name. It is a large mountainous and hilly region. It lies about 140 km from Son La town to the south. It’s a very good stop between Son La city and Mai Chau city. If you come here, I recommend staying a while in this beautiful area of tea plantations, flowering fruit trees and flowers. Especially in the spring, this place is very beautiful and has a very good climate suitable for traveling. Moc Chau is a significant producer of high-quality milk and tea.
  • The area is inhabited by the people of different ethnic minorities. A lot of Thai and Hmong people live here but also other minorities are in this area – Dao, Kho Mu, La Ha Tay. More information is in the article about Moc Chau.

🚍 How to travel from Hanoi to Son La town:

• • From Hanoi to Son La you can travel by tourist bus (tourist sleeper bus or luxury vans) from the My Dinh and Yen Nghia bus stations, some private companies may run from another bus stations.
  • These buses go in the morning but also in the afternoon.
  • Now you can book your bus e-tickets from Hanoi to Son La easily online.
  • travel by bus from Hanoi to Son La takes about 7 hours, by van it takes about 5 hours
  • bus and van tickets from Hanoi to Son La cost about $8-10/pp
  • also luxury comfortable vans (tickets cost only about $10/pp)
  • Book and buy bus e-tickets from Hanoi to Son La online on Baolau ➜

 

• • There is also no problem to take a local bus from the towns of Dien Bien Phu, Phu Yen, Lai Chau, Moc Chau, Mai Chau. Lots of buses run over Moc Chau and continue to Dien Bien Phu (eg. Hai Van bus from the My Dinh bus station). Son La is a good place for a stopover in the northwest of Vietnam. There is no train connection in Son La province. If you travel to Dien Bien Phu, you should not miss Pha Din Pass (about 65 from Son La town).

🚍 How to travel from Hanoi to Moc Chau:

• • from Hanoi to Moc Chau town you can travel by bus/minivan or motorbike
  • there is no train and there are no flights to Moc Chau, Moc Chau has no airport
  • travel time by bus or minivan is about 5 hours
  • bus tickets from Hanoi to Moc Chau cost about $8-10/pp
  • read this article: How do I get from Hanoi to Moc Chau?

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☀️ Weather in Son La + The Best Time to Visit:

Son La province is located in the northwestern region of Vietnam, bordering Laos to the west. Due to its high altitude, the weather in Son La is characterized by a cool and temperate climate with distinct seasonal changes throughout the year. Before you go to Son La, you can also check a weather forecast in Son La.

• • The rainy season in Son La starts in May and lasts until October, with July and August being the wettest months. During this time, the region experiences frequent rainfall, often accompanied by thunderstorms. The average temperature during the rainy season ranges between 20°C to 26°C, with high humidity levels.
  • The dry season in Son La starts in November and lasts until April, with December and January being the coldest months. During this time, the weather is dry and cool, with an average temperature ranging from 13°C to 18°C. This is considered the best time to visit Son La province as the weather is mild, and the skies are clear, providing excellent visibility of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
  • The best time to visit Son La is from November to April when the weather is pleasant and dry, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, driving a motorbike and exploring the region’s natural beauty. Additionally, during this time, the region celebrates its traditional festivals, providing visitors with a unique cultural experience.

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🏡 Accommodation in Son La + Ta Xua Reserve:

Son La province in Vietnam offers a range of accommodation options that cater to different types of travelers and budgets. Here are some of the most popular options for visitiors of Son La:

• • Hotels: Son La has several hotels that range from budget to mid-range to luxury. These hotels offer a comfortable stay with amenities such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and in-room facilities. Some popular hotels in Son La include the Muong Thanh Luxury Son La Hotel, Thien An Son La Hotel, and Trade Union Hotel.
  • Homestays: For a more authentic experience, travelers can choose to stay in a homestay. Homestays provide an opportunity to stay with local families, experience their daily life and cuisine, and learn about the local culture. Some popular homestays in Son La include the Ba Ha Homestay and the Tha Phinh Homestay.
  • Guesthouses: Guesthouses are budget-friendly accommodation options that provide basic amenities such as a bed, shared bathroom, and sometimes Wi-Fi. Guesthouses are ideal for backpackers and budget travelers. Some popular guesthouses in Son La include the Thanh Van Guesthouse and the Lan Anh Guesthouse.
  • Resorts: For a more luxurious stay, Son La has several resorts that offer stunning views, high-end facilities, and amenities such as swimming pools, spas, and restaurants. Some popular resorts in Son La include the Muong Thanh Holiday Son La Resort and the Lao Khoa Resort.

A few recommended hotels in Son La town:
➜ Mường Thanh Luxury Hotel
➜ Cosyhotel Son la
➜ Hanoi hotel
➜ Hoàng Anh hotel
➜ Hoa Lu hotel

A few good homestays in Ta Xua Reserve:
➜ Homestay Tà Xùa Lu Trế
➜ Tà Xùa Clouds homestay
➜ Y Xoa Home Stay

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🔍 Places of Interest in Son La:

• • Villages with Ethnic Minorities in Son La (Bo Muoi, Tong Lanh, Ta Bu): Son La is a province known for its rich ethnic diversity, and within its verdant landscapes, you’ll find several charming villages inhabited by various ethnic minorities. Bo Muoi, Tong Lanh, and Ta Bu are a few of these settlements, where you can immerse yourself in the traditions, daily life, and warm hospitality of the Hmong, Thai, and Dao people. Explore their stilted houses, partake in traditional festivities, and discover the unique customs of each community.
• • Son La Dam: The Son La Dam, an imposing hydroelectric project on the Da River, is both an engineering marvel and a mesmerizing sight. The vast reservoir created by the dam is surrounded by verdant hills and lush forests. You can visit the dam to witness its impressive scale, enjoy boat rides on the reservoir, and appreciate the serene beauty of the landscape.
• • Colorful Market in Thuan Chau: Thuan Chau hosts a vibrant and bustling market where a kaleidoscope of colors, cultures, and products come together. It’s a place where local minorities gather to trade, showcasing their traditional clothing, handicrafts, and farm-fresh produce. Stroll through the market, sample regional delicacies, and shop for souvenirs while immersing yourself in the lively atmosphere.
• • Mong Village at the Area of Hua La: The Mong village near Hua La is a hidden gem in Son La. Nestled in the rolling hills, it offers an authentic experience of the Mong culture and lifestyle. Explore their traditional houses, savor local cuisine, and enjoy the tranquility of the surrounding nature.
• • Prison and Museum from the Time of French Colonization: Son La was a significant site during the French colonization period, and the province’s prison and museum serve as a poignant reminder of this historical era. The museum exhibits artifacts and documents related to the struggle for independence, while the prison provides insights into the harsh conditions endured by Vietnamese patriots. It’s a place to reflect on the nation’s history and pay tribute to the resilience of those who fought for freedom.
• • Scenic Peak above the Town of Son La: Son La town is surrounded by lush hills and mountains, and there’s a scenic peak offering breathtaking panoramic views of the town and its surroundings. Hiking to this vantage point is a rewarding experience, especially during sunrise or sunset when the landscapes are bathed in soft, golden light.
• • Thẩm Tét Toòng Cave: Thẩm Tét Toòng Cave is a captivating natural wonder in Son La. It boasts stunning limestone formations, underground rivers, and chambers filled with awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites. Guided tours through the cave allow you to explore its hidden beauty and geological wonders.
• • Ta Xua Nature Reserve (Sống Lưng Khủng Long – Dinosaur Backbone): Ta Xua Nature Reserve, often referred to as the „Dinosaur Backbone,“ is a remote and pristine region known for its rugged landscapes. It’s a paradise for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. The reserve offers challenging hikes, incredible biodiversity, and the opportunity to discover unique flora and fauna.
• • Da River (Black River): The Da River, often called the „Black River,“ is a prominent waterway in the region, flowing through Son La. Its serene waters wind through stunning canyons and lush valleys. You can take boat trips along the river to witness the scenic beauty of the surrounding landscapes and engage in fishing or water-based activities.
• • Pha Din Pass on the Road to Dien Bien Phu: Pha Din Pass is a famous mountain pass on the road to Dien Bien Phu, known for its spectacular views. The pass offers breathtaking vistas of the rolling hills and valleys below. It’s a historically significant route that played a role in the First Indochina War. Exploring Pha Din Pass is a journey through both nature and history.
• • Phú Lương Nature Reserve (Ta Chi Nhu Mountain): Phú Lương Nature Reserve is a pristine wilderness, and its centerpiece is the majestic Ta Chi Nhu Mountain. The area is a haven for trekking and adventure, with dense forests, cascading waterfalls, and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It’s a destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore unspoiled nature.
• • Moc Chau District: Moc Chau District is a region known for its expansive tea plantations, lush landscapes, and cool climate. The district is a paradise for those seeking relaxation and natural beauty. You can visit tea farms, enjoy the serene ambiance of the countryside, and sample fresh, high-quality tea.

 

📍 Son La – tourist map:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Son La province:

1. How to book bus tickets from Hanoi to Son La town?

• • You can book bus tickets from Hanoi to Son La town online on Baolau.

2. Is there a train or flight from Hanoi to Son La?

• • No, there is no train to Son La town, because Son La has no railway station. It is also not possible to travel by plane, there are no flights between Hanoi and Son La town.

3. How to move in Son La province?

• • You can rent a bicycle or motorbike in Hanoi and travel on your own. This option is a good idea only for the most experienced motorbike drivers. IDP is necessary in Vietnam. You can search and book motorbike online with Bikesbooking. Local buses are limited in this province.

4. Which mountain area in Son La province you should visit?

• • One of the most fascinating mountain areas of Son La province is Ta Xua Nature Reserve and Dinousar Spine. It is not easy to move there, you should definitely to travel on motorbike. Some roads in this park are not in a good condition, but you can travel on motorbike to Dinosaur Spine.

5. Where to stay in Son La town?

• • Son La town has various cheap hotels, guesthouses or motels. You can search and book your hotel in Son La online.

6. How far is Son La town from Hanoi?

• • Travel distance from Hanoi to Son La town is about 300 km by tourist bus via Moc Chau town. Moc Chau is located between Mai Chau and Son La town and it is another interesting place of northern Vietnam.

7. What are some popular attractions to visit in Son La?

• • Son La has several popular attractions that visitors can explore, such as the Son La Prison Museum, the Son La Hydroelectric Power Plant, the Moc Chau Plateau, and the Tham Tet Toong Cave. The province also has several ethnic villages where visitors can experience the local culture and traditions.

8. What is the best time of the year to visit Son La?

• • The best time to visit Son La is from November to April when the weather is dry and cool, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the natural beauty of the region.

9. What is the cuisine of Son La like?

• • The cuisine of Son La is influenced by the local ethnic groups and is known for its diverse flavors and use of local ingredients. Some popular dishes include grilled meat, sticky rice, bamboo-tube rice, and sour meat soup.

10. What are some outdoor activities to do in Son La?

• • Son La offers several outdoor activities such as trekking, hiking, cycling, and exploring the natural beauty of the region. Visitors can also participate in adventure sports such as zip-lining, rock climbing, and kayaking.

11. What are some traditional festivals in Son La?

• • Son La has several traditional festivals that celebrate the local culture and traditions. Some popular festivals include the Buffalo Fighting Festival, the Khau Pha Paragliding Festival, and the Moc Chau Plum Festival.

12. What is the transportation system like in Son La?

• • Son La is well connected by road, and visitors can use buses or hire taxis to travel around the province. Motorbikes and bicycles can also be rented for exploring the region.

13. What are some cultural etiquettes to follow when visiting Son La?

• • When visiting Son La, it is important to respect the local culture and traditions. Visitors should dress modestly, remove their shoes before entering homes or temples, and seek permission before taking photographs of locals or their homes.

14. How to travel solo in Vietnam?

• • Discover the wonders of solo travel in Vietnam as you explore ancient temples, cruise through scenic landscapes or karst sceneries, hike various national parks and ethnic villages and connect with the warm-hearted locals, creating a personalized journey of cultural immersion and breathtaking experiences.

15. What are the most interesting things and facts about Vietnam?

• • Vietnam, a country with a captivating allure, is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, including the mesmerizing limestone karsts of Halong Bay, the terraced rice fields of Sapa, and the bustling waterways of the Mekong Delta. Its rich history unfolds through ancient temples in Hanoi, the imperial city of Hue, and the Cu Chi Tunnels, providing a glimpse into Vietnam’s resilience during wartime. The country’s vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality further enhance the allure of this Southeast Asian gem. Read this: 15 Interesting Things of Vietnam.

16. What to expect from Vietnam Culture and Traditions?

• • Expect a vibrant cultural tapestry in Vietnam, characterized by traditional values, a strong sense of community, and a deep-rooted respect for family. You’ll encounter a fusion of French, Chinese, and indigenous influences in art, architecture, and cuisine. Traditional water puppetry, folk music, and dance performances showcase the country’s artistic flair. The importance of rituals and festivals in daily life adds a colorful dimension, while the warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese people make for a welcoming and enriching cultural experience.

BOOK a TOUR / ACTIVITY in Vietnam ➜

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BOOK your STAY in Son La ➜

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➡️ Where to go from Son La:

You can continue to Dien Bien Phu, Lai Chau, Sapa, Moc Chau, Mai Chau.

⏪ Go back to places of interest

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