Connect to elevate the Arabica Son La brand

Son La is currently the largest Arabica growing region in the country, affirming its position on the Vietnamese coffee map and reaching out to the international market. Over the past 7 years, the Son La Coffee Association has become an important bridge between the State - scientists - businesses - farmers, contributing to the formation of a sustainable value chain and building the increasingly strong "Son La Coffee" brand.

Strengthening linkages, creating added value for coffee growers

Established in August 2017, Son La Coffee Association is a non-profit professional social organization, representing farmers, businesses, cooperatives and processing facilities in the area. In the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, the Association has made an important contribution to improving product quality, protecting intellectual property and sustainably developing the "Son La Coffee" brand.

Son La currently has more than 24,300 hectares of coffee, with an estimated output of over 37,700 tons in the 2025-2026 crop year. Since 2017, Son La coffee products have been granted geographical indications for green coffee beans, roasted beans and ground coffee – an important milestone affirming the prestige and competitive advantage of Northwest coffee beans.

Promoting its connecting role, the Son La Coffee Association has implemented many activities to accompany coffee growers and businesses: organizing conferences to evaluate quality, promote investment and trade, participate in meetings of the Vietnam Coffee - Cocoa Association; provide guidance on harvesting and processing techniques; dialogue on policies and reflect members' recommendations to the authorities. In 2025, the Association will continue to expand its membership network, admit more research units and cooperatives producing specialty coffee; and at the same time, bring the "Son La Coffee" brand to participate in many major festivals such as the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival and the Vietnam - China Coffee Festival.

With practical contributions, the Association was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), and many members were commended by the Provincial People's Committee and VCCI.

Maintaining brand reputation and protecting geographical indications

According to Mr. Vuong Van Hai - Chairman of Son La Coffee Association, the geographical indication "Son La Coffee" is an important intellectual property of the province. Being granted the right to use geographical indications helps increase the value of products, expand the market and ensure the rights of coffee growers. The Association is coordinating with management agencies to closely monitor the use of geographical indications, ensuring compliance with the correct raw material areas, technical processes and product quality.

To date, 8 enterprises and cooperatives have been granted the right to use geographical indications, including Minh Tien Import-Export Joint Stock Company - Son La Branch, Phuc Sinh Son La Joint Stock Company, Son La Coffee Company, Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative, Ara-Tay Coffee Cooperative, Detech Coffee Joint Stock Company, Cat Que Production and Trading Company Limited and Son La Coffee Processing Joint Stock Company. These are all pioneers in applying sustainable farming models, deep processing and meeting international standards such as 4C, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance.

Phuc Sinh Son La Joint Stock Company – one of the key enterprises – has launched high-quality Arabica products such as Blue Son La and Cascara Blu Son La tea, which are highly appreciated by the EU and US markets. According to General Director Vu Viet Thang, the association’s support helps enterprises strengthen sustainable chains, increase product value and create favorable conditions when approaching demanding markets.

In Muong Chanh commune, Ara-Tay Coffee Cooperative with 14 members and more than 100 satellite households is developing a product chain including Natural green coffee beans, Honey coffee, ground coffee and roasted beans. Each year, the Cooperative sells about 10 tons of green coffee beans, earning a revenue of more than 1.6 billion VND. According to Director Cam Thi Mon, being granted the right to use geographical indications is an important condition for products to meet OCOP standards, enhance reputation and expand the consumption market.

In the period 2025-2030, Son La Coffee Association aims to continue expanding membership, promoting replanting with new high-yield varieties, expanding specialty coffee production and deep processing with products such as instant coffee, canned coffee, coffee hull tea... to increase value and income for farmers.

The Association will also continue to promote the “4-house” connection, enhance the promotion of the image of “Son La Coffee – Northwest flavor”, link production with environmental protection, growing area codes and carbon credits. Technical training courses and experience sharing will be maintained regularly to support farmers in adapting to the trend of green, high-quality agriculture .

With its connecting and guiding role, Son La Coffee Association has been contributing to raising the value of Arabica Son La - coffee beans with strong Northwest identity - creating a foundation for the product to reach far in the international market, becoming a symbol of sustainable agriculture and green economy of the locality.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/ket-noi-de-nang-tam-thuong-hieu-arabica-son-la-197251116162752031.htm