A great leap in area and output

From 2016 to 2025, Son La Province has made a strong mark on the national agricultural map by converting and planting nearly 62,000 hectares of fruit trees, bringing the total area to 85,000 hectares, the largest in the North and second in the country; the fruit tree output in 2025 is estimated at 510,000 tons, contributing significantly to increasing the value of local agricultural production.

The production value per hectare of fruit trees has currently reached 150 to 300 million VND/year, with some typical models even reaching 400-500 million VND/ha, an increase of 4 to 10 times compared to 2016. It is a telling figure, reflecting the genuine effectiveness of the good orientation in developing commodity agriculture associated with the market.

Value chains are climbing perfectly, and technology is a top priority.

From a province with mainly small-scale and fragmented agricultural production, Son La has gradually built a large-scale and systematic fruit tree production ecosystem. To date, the province has formed 201 fruit value chains of a total area of over 4,500 hectares, with 335 enterprises and cooperatives participating in fruit tree planting on nearly 9,400 hectares of cultivated land.

From fruit trees, people have a stable income.

In particular, the locality has actively applied technology in agricultural production: 2,200 hectares have invested in water-saving irrigation systems, more than 4,750 hectares have met VietGAP standards, and equivalent standards. Son La is also a pioneer province in granting growing area codes (218 codes), building brands for agricultural products, with 31 products awarded intellectual property protection certificates, including 14 fruit products, 08 high-tech application areas, 59 OCOP products processed from fruit, etc. are clear evidence of the mindset developing modern agriculture, linking production with quality standards and market demand.

Reaching out to the international market - opening the door to integration,

Not stopping at the domestic market, Son La is affirming its position in the international market. Since 2017, specialty fruits such as mango, longan, plum, avocado, passion fruit, and others have been exported to 15 countries and territories with an output of 158,000 tons. It is the result of a systematic investment process in trade promotion, traceability, and agricultural product branding.

Accordingly, the province has attracted large enterprises to invest in processing, a key step to increasing added value. Currently, the province has 560 agricultural processing facilities, including 17 large-scale factories, nearly 3,000 longan drying facilities, and 40 cold storage facilities, creating a solid foundation for the development of the fruit processing industry.

Towards sustainable development - linking agriculture with tourism, logistics, e-commerce

In the coming years, Son La identifies fruit tree development as not only an economic goal but also a driving force for sustainable development in ethnic minority areas. The province will continue to expand concentrated raw material areas, apply digital transformation, synchronize mechanization, and promote traceability. Priority to programs on granting codes for growing areas, building safe fruit areas, improving logistics, preservation, and processing capacity. In particular, the province aims to combine fruit tree production with eco-tourism development, creating a space for agricultural experiences associated with indigenous culture. It is a potential direction, not only enhancing the value of products but also spreading the image of Son La - the land of sweet fruit seasons.

Leverage for prosperity and well-being in the highlands

The achievements from fruit tree development have contributed significantly to improving the income of people, especially ethnic minorities. Many households that used to live mainly on corn and cassava have now switched to growing fruit trees, have stable incomes, are gradually escaping poverty, and are wealthy. The participation of cooperatives, enterprises, and supporting central policies has helped people not only farm but also know how to do business and master their products.

With a strategic vision, synchronous participation from the government, the people, and the business community, Son La is writing a success story of fruit tree development. It is an arduous area, becoming the fruit capital of the North. It is not only an achievement in agriculture, but also a vivid proof of the change in the existence, economy, and awareness of ethnic minorities, towards a prosperous, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Quoc Tuan

Translated by Tuan Minh Dang