Son La

Son La, the fifth largest province in the country, is located to the northwestern region of Vietnam. Eighty percent of the province’s natural area is covered with mountains. The province is populated by various ethnic groups, including the Ma, H’mong, Dao, Muong, Kinh, Khmer, Tay, Thai, and so on. Son La has a temperate climate throughout the year.

Tham Tet Tong is a complex of marvelous grottoes located only 1.5 km from Son La. Excursions to Tay Bac Mountains and bathing at Ban Mong Hot Springs are available. Visits to ethnic minorities hamlets are also popular.

Son La Prison and Son La Museum: The prison was built by French colonialism in 1908. In 1930-1945, it was expanded and became the place where detained revolutionary soldiers. It was considered a steel prison and a hell on earth to stamp out strong struggle of prisoners. However, in the eyes of Vietnamese prisoners and revolutionary soldiers, the prison was regarded as a school providing the Vietnamese Revolution with excellent communists like Truong Chinh, Le Duan, Nguyen Luong Bang, Van Tien Dung, Nguyen Co Thach, Xuan Thuy, Tran Huy Lieu, etc.

By watching historic evidences in the relic area of Son La prison and museum, you will feel the savageness of the French Colonialism and admire the sufferance and bravery of political prisoners. Reaching the relic area, you will also be told touching stories about in-prison activities of Vietnamese prisoners, for example, mutual help and solidarity, revolutionary propagation, struggles for prisoners’ rights, etc.

Visiting this relic area, you will gain useful knowledge about cultures of 12 ethic minority groups exhibited at the Son La Museum.