Son La Travel Guide
Son La Province is in the northwest of Vietnam and borders Yen Bai, Lao Cai, and Lai Chau provinces in the
north, Dien Bien Province in the west, Phu Tho and Hoa Binh provinces in the east, and Laos in the south. It has many mountains, rivers and mineral deposits, and has abundant water to generate hydroelectricity. The Moc Chau Plateau is an ideal place for dairy farming, tea plantations, and fruit orchards. The average yearly temperature is about 21ºC, and the climate is cold and dry in the winter, and hot in the summer.
Transportation
Many highways run through Son La, and it connects to Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, and Lao Cai. The town of Son La is some 328km from Hanoi, and there are daily flights to and from Hanoi. However, the schedule is changes frequently.
Attractions
Son La has several tourist attractions, but the most famous of these is the former French Prison and the Prison Museum.
Son La Provincial Museum
The prison was originally built as a penitentiary by the French in 1908, and at first, it was a small provincial prison. However, from 1930 to 1945, it was used to hold insurgents against French colonial rule, and thousands of Vietnamese revolutionaries were imprisoned here, including some key individuals who later became important leaders of the revolution. In 1962, the Ministry of Culture classified it as one of several revolutionary heritage sites in the country.
Another attraction is the Tham Tet Toong Cave. This natural wonder is about 150m long, and contains numerous stalactite and stalagmite 
formations.
There are 12 ethnic groups living in Son La, and thus there are many ethnic villages to explore while you learn about their culture and traditions. You can also visit Yen Chau and try special bananas, longans and mangos.
In the 2nd lunar month, when the flowers start to bloom, the Thai ethnic group holds the Hoa Ban Festival to celebrate the coming of spring. Young men and women go flower picking, singing, playing tinh, and the khen flute, and Xoe dancing.
When To Go
Son La has a moderate climate throughout the year, with an average annual temperature of about 21 Degree Celsius. It is possible to visit Son La at any time of the year, but the best time is from September to April.
Travel Tips:
Be advised that most hotels and accommodation is quite basic in the town of Son La.
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