The Son La Coffee Festival, which ran from October 9-13, was designed to function as a strategic collaborative forum connecting government agencies, enterprises, scientists, farmers, and markets to foster new projects, commercial contracts, and trade opportunities, officials emphasized during the event's opening ceremony.
Organized under the theme “Son La Arabica - Reaching Global Stage” at Tay Bac Square in the northern mountainous province of Son La, the festival’s opening ceremony highlighted the strategic vision for the region’s specialty coffee industry.
Speaking at the event, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hong emphasized her expectation that the spirit of the festival’s theme will translate into greener material zones, modern processing facilities, higher-value products, stronger enterprises, and improved livelihoods for coffee farmers.
She expressed confidence that Son La will expand Arabica exports from the northwestern mountains to major global markets, transforming coffee bean value into brand equity and socio-economic development. Every Son La coffee bean carries the unique flavor of the Northwestern region alongside Vietnam’s aspirations for international integration and sustainable development, she noted.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Viet, Chairman of the Son La Provincial People’s Committee, affirmed that Son La aims to convey a clear message: the province is determined not only to expand export volume, but also to enhance product value, build a stronger brand, and bring the distinctive cultural identity of Son La closer to global consumers.
The ultimate goal is to ensure coffee farmers receive equitable returns for their labor, enable business profitability, elevate the industry's competitive edge, and increase its contribution to the province's socio-economic development, Mr. Viet added.
The festival represents a major cultural, tourism, and trade promotion event. It honors Son La Arabica coffee and local growers while promoting the province's culture, investment potential, and brand presence across domestic and international markets.
The event features a series of key activities, including an Arabica marathon, a farmer competition, and business-to-business trade matching sessions.
Coffee became a primary cash crop in Son La by 1990, driving poverty reduction and generating livelihoods for thousands of local households. In 2017, Son La Coffee was officially granted a Geographical Indication Certificate by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam.
Son La reaffirms its position as Vietnam’s largest Arabica material area, spanning more than 44,000 ha with an annual harvest output of nearly 51,000 tons of green coffee beans, establishing itself as a key supplier in the global value chain.
Achieving an impressive export turnover of over $112 million in 2025, Son La continues to consolidate its stature as a major coffee production hub.
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