Human resource development has been a key area of focus.

In the first half of the year, the Provincial People’s Committee directed subordinate agencies and units to strengthen vocational training efforts to develop a skilled workforce for the production and processing of agricultural products aimed at export, as well as to support labor export initiatives. The province organized a job counseling and career orientation conference with the participation of 52 organizations and 54 booths, attracting over 6,000 job seekers and creating more than 4,000 new jobs. Additionally, a labor export information and counseling conference for 2025 was held for 79 workers and their family members or representatives from local communes and townships interested in registering for overseas employment programs.

Strengthening support for enterprises and citizens in accessing the international economic integration environment and global markets

The Provincial People’s Committee has directed all levels and sectors to effectively implement policies on land, investment incentives, taxation, and business registration to promote the development of export-oriented enterprises, attract foreign direct investment, and draw high-quality human resources from abroad; simplify administrative procedures and facilitate residence conditions while ensuring security for foreign nationals, in accordance with national regulations and international standards and practices. The province has actively implemented projects and initiatives related to economic zone and production area planning; upgrading transportation networks, border gate infrastructure, and logistics services — all aimed at reducing production and business costs, promoting exports, and attracting foreign investors. Notable efforts include the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hoa Binh – Moc Chau expressway project, with the section running through Son La province. The province has also continued to coordinate with the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam in monitoring the progress of the detailed planning for Na San Airport for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050. In addition, investment plans for several key transport infrastructure projects in the 2026–2030 period are under development.

The provincial government has directed relevant departments and agencies to review and update transport and logistics development projects for inclusion in the Son La provincial master plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050. This will serve as a basis for resource allocation, investment attraction, and implementation during the planning cycle. Efforts are being made to leverage the advantages of the Long Sap and Chieng Khuong border economic zones, as well as key transport routes connecting to Laos and China—forming a vital logistics corridor in the northern mountainous region. The goal is to attract cargo flows through border gates with Laos and China, thereby facilitating the export of locally produced goods. The province is implementing the planning of one logistics center in Moc Chau Town, integrated with a wholesale agricultural market along National Highway 6 and the Hoa Binh – Moc Chau expressway. Additionally, another logistics center is being planned in Mai Son District, connected to the Mai Son Industrial Park and Na San Airport. This center will be strategically linked to Na San Airport, National Highway 6, National Highway 4G, and National Highway 37 to support industrial production, agricultural processing, distribution, and export activities from the Mai Son Industrial Park.

Enhancing the effectiveness of international economic cooperation and integration

Son La province has developed a plan to produce a promotional feature on its tourism and agricultural products to be broadcast on the program “Exploring Vietnam” on VTV1 – Vietnam Television. Additionally, the province has outlined a communication plan to promote its investment, trade, and tourism promotion efforts on VTV throughout 2025. Enterprises and cooperatives have been invited to join trade promotion delegations targeting the Indian market and to participate in the 2025 Vietnam International Textile and Garment Industry Exhibition.

The province is also prioritizing capacity building for organizations and individuals involved in implementing forest carbon credit initiatives. It is working in coordination with CARE international to finalize and submit for approval the C4G project: “Building capacity to implement climate change impact mitigation plans and mobilize sustainable finance for forest protection and development.” This project includes activities aimed at enhancing the technical capacity of stakeholders in forest carbon credit implementation, particularly in forest carbon stock measurement, carbon accounting, and project documentation. It also involves assessing the province’s potential for generating forest carbon credits.

In the remaining months of 2025, Son La province will continue to enhance close and effective coordination between Party diplomacy, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy. Economic diplomacy will be integrated with cultural diplomacy and national defense-security efforts. The effectiveness of collaboration among departments, sectors, localities, and enterprises in conducting economic diplomacy will be further improved.

The province will effectively implement external affairs activities at all levels, with a consistent focus on maintaining and gradually building equal and mutually beneficial cooperative relationships with provinces of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. At the same time, efforts will be intensified to explore new markets and economic cooperation opportunities with countries beyond the ASEAN region, with the goal of maximizing external resources in combination with local ones to support the province’s development objectives.

Continue to intensify support for sectors, localities, and businesses in the spirit of placing people and enterprises at the center of service. Proactively and actively engage in international integration and economic diplomacy, closely aligned with the country’s foreign policy, ensuring the highest national and ethnic interests. Efforts will focus on maintaining balance and harmony in international relations, thereby enhancing the overall standing of the nation and, in particular, that of Son La province.

Nguyen Hanh

Translated by Huyen Vu