According to data from the People's Committee of Muong La commune, the locality currently utilizes approximately 40 hectares of water surface area for aquaculture. The entire commune has 659 fish cages raising high -economic- value species such as snakehead fish, catfish, grass carp, tilapia, and common carp. Encouragingly, the production mindset of the people has undergone a significant shift: completely abandoning small-scale, self-sufficient farming methods and moving towards large-scale investment, strictly applying technical procedures for care and disease prevention to improve productivity.
The picture of the aquaculture economy is most clearly depicted in Cang Bo Ban village. Currently, 18 households in the village are involved in fish farming, with over 60 fish cages. Cage fish farming has been providing a significant source of income, helping many families escape poverty and achieve legitimate wealth. Having been involved in the profession since its early days, Ms. Luong Thi Loi shared: "My family started cage fish farming in 2011, and now we have 14 cages, mainly raising grass carp, common carp, catfish, and tilapia. In the first five months of the year, my family sold over 3.3 tons of commercial fish, and after deducting expenses, we earned a profit of over 300 million VND. Currently, we are raising a new batch of fish to sell at the end of the year."
The breakthrough achieved by households like Ms. Loi's is not accidental. It is the result of the correct direction of the local Party committee and government in supporting the people. Muong La commune has proactively coordinated with specialized agencies to organize training courses on science and technology, guiding people on how to build sturdy fish cages using new materials, how to monitor water sources, and how to prevent and treat fish diseases. At the same time, the locality focuses on establishing aquaculture cooperatives, creating a close-knit chain from the supply of fry to product consumption, protecting farmers from market fluctuations.
The allure of the Muong La reservoir area extends beyond small-scale farming to attract large-scale businesses. A prime example is Vietnam Sturgeon Company Limited - Son La. This company operates a high-end aquaculture system with 265 cages and 70 breeding tanks for specialty sturgeon. Each year, the company sells nearly 300 tons of high-quality commercial fish, not only establishing the Son La seafood brand but also providing stable employment and a decent income for hundreds of local workers.
Nestled against majestic mountain ranges, the Son La hydroelectric reservoir boasts a captivating natural landscape of mountains and water. Alongside the development of aquaculture, tourism around the Son La hydroelectric reservoir is gradually becoming a highlight in the economic development of Muong La commune. The Son La hydroelectric power plant – a symbol of the Northwest region – and its picturesque riverine scenery have been attracting many tourists to visit and experience its beauty.
Capitalizing on the growing trend of tourists seeking exploration and nature, many local households have boldly renovated their homes, invested in building homestays and bungalows, and offered recreational services such as kayaking, recreational fishing, and boat tours on the lake. To ensure tourism doesn't blend in with other areas, Muong La commune has chosen its own path: developing tourism in conjunction with preserving and promoting the unique cultural identity of the ethnic groups. Visitors here not only enjoy the scenery but also immerse themselves in the unique local culture. The graceful Thai dances, the sounds of the bamboo flute and pipe, and distinctive traditional festivals like the Pang A festival, which are revived and maintained annually, have created a strong cultural imprint, giving tourism in the lake region its own unique character.
Ms. Lo Thi Chuong from Phieng Hua Na village said: "Recognizing the growing tourism potential, my family has invested in communal accommodation, bungalows, and experiential services for tourists. Since the beginning of the year, we have welcomed about 150 guests, including 90 international visitors who came to experience and enjoy ethnic cuisine."
With foresight, the locality has proactively coordinated with neighboring communes in Son La province, and simultaneously signed agreements to link and cooperate in tourism development with localities in Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. This strategic partnership has formed a very close-knit tourism chain in the Northwest region. Through this, localities can jointly promote their potential, share valuable experiences in operating community-based tourism models, and build attractive inter-provincial tours and routes. This is a powerful driving force that has boosted the socio-economic development of the reservoir area, transforming Muong La into an unmissable destination on the Northwest tourism map.
The economy of Muong La commune is facing a historic opportunity as the Son La hydroelectric reservoir floating solar power project has officially commenced construction there. The project, approved by the Provincial People's Committee, has a total investment of approximately 17,000 billion VND. It will be implemented on an area of approximately 1,139.5 hectares of water surface and 60.5 hectares of land in the two communes of Muong La and Chieng Lao. Mr. Bui Viet Cuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong La commune, stated: "This is a large-scale renewable energy project, using clean energy sources, with no greenhouse gas emissions, and is environmentally friendly. The project's implementation has opened up a new direction for local development by combining renewable energy development with ecotourism and experiential tourism on the Son La hydroelectric reservoir."
Leveraging the potential and advantages of the reservoir area, Muong La commune continues to orient its aquaculture development towards commercial production, applying high technology, and protecting the ecological environment; at the same time, it promotes investment in infrastructure, improves the quality of tourism services, builds unique experiential products to attract tourists, contributes to improving the lives of the people, and aims for sustainable economic development associated with the conservation of local resources and cultural identity.
Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/suc-bat-tren-vung-ho-0kaKaa1vg.html
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