About the open land

Muong La area currently has 3 large hydroelectric plants in operation, including: Son La Hydroelectric Plant, Huoi Quang Hydroelectric Plant, Nam Chien Hydroelectric Plant, with a total capacity of 3,120 MW and 21 small hydroelectric plants, with a total capacity of 248 MW. Hydroelectricity is the pillar of Muong La industry, playing a key role in the economic growth of this area and the province. At the same time, hydroelectric plants have opened up the potential for economic and tourism development in this land.

Hawthorn flower season in Nam Nghep village, Ngoc Chien commune.

Exploiting potential

The development of hydropower has brought to the localities of Muong La region a unique tourism resource, with a large lake area, majestic natural landscape, creating a distinct regional character. In addition, there are many natural hot springs, majestic mountain ranges suitable for exploiting adventure mountain climbing tourism, the preservation and promotion of unique cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities is also a strong attractive factor, attracting tourists.

Communes in Muong La area have formed experiential tourism routes associated with the cultural life of the reservoir area, combined with visits to large hydroelectric projects, such as: Son La Hydroelectric Power Plant - Hua It Hot Spring (Muong La) - Nam Chien Hydroelectric Power Plant - Luot Village Hot Spring (Ngoc Chien), expanding to Mu Cang Chai ( Yen Bai ). Along with that, communes have focused on restoring and maintaining the organization of unique cultural festivals of ethnic minorities, creating highlights to attract tourists, such as: Pang A Festival (Chieng Lao Commune); Nang Han Festival (Muong La Commune); New Rice Festival and Hawthorn Flower Festival (Ngoc Chien Commune); Apple Picking Festival, Boat Racing Festival (Muong Bu Commune)... Thanks to that, tourism products are increasingly diverse, from experiencing the reservoir, unique cuisine, resorts to entertainment, contributing to increasing attractiveness. In the 2020-2025 period, localities in Muong La area welcomed over 700,000 visitors, with revenue of about 241 billion VND.

The 3rd Hawthorn Flower Festival of Ngoc Chien Commune in 2025 attracted a large number of people and tourists.

In addition, with a hydroelectric reservoir area of ​​over 3,900 hectares, Muong La has exploited and developed cage fish farming. There are currently nearly 1,100 fish cages, including household models, 4 cooperatives and typically Son La Sturgeon Joint Stock Company with a cold-water sturgeon farming model. The models not only create livelihoods for people but also provide food, forming a unique culinary - tourism value chain. Many products have affirmed their brands such as Ngoc Chien humpback carp (OCOP 3 stars), sturgeon meeting VietGAP standards.

Mr. Le Anh Duc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Son La Sturgeon Joint Stock Company, said: After more than 10 years of raising cold water fish, the Company has expanded the farming area to 4 hectares, with 265 fish cages following VietGAP process, applying modern technology to control food, pH, oxygen and disease prevention. Currently, the output reaches 150-300 tons/year, for domestic consumption and export.

Expanding development

From July 1, 2025, implementing the 2-level government model, Muong La area has been rearranged and reorganized, from 16 old communes and towns merged, 5 new communes were established: Muong La, Muong Bu, Chieng Lao, Chieng Hoa and Ngoc Chien. After the rearrangement, based on reviewing and evaluating the potential and advantages of each region, the communes have proposed strategic breakthroughs to promote local economic development in the new period.

Son La hydroelectric project opens up many local tourism potentials.

Muong La commune was established on the basis of merging It Ong town and Nam Pam, Chieng San, Chieng Muon, Muong Trai and Pi Toong communes, opening up development space, connecting production areas, hydroelectric reservoirs and administrative centers. The commune currently has 6 large and small hydroelectric plants and 39 solar power systems, with a total capacity of over 6,700 Kw, creating conditions for the commune to develop community tourism in residential clusters such as It Ong, Muong Trai, linking hydroelectric visits with unique cultural experiences. Homestay models and reservoir tourism routes contribute to shifting economic structure, preserving culture, creating jobs and increasing income. Mr. Nguyen Van Bac, Secretary of the Muong La Commune Party Committee, said: The commune Party Committee has proposed 3 strategic breakthroughs for the period 2025-2030: Building a friendly government, administrative reform associated with digital transformation; Developing the private economy, forming a sustainable value chain associated with tourism; completing the construction of rural traffic infrastructure, building a bright - green - clean - beautiful - safe new countryside. With the goal of striving for an average product value growth rate of 7-8%/year; state budget revenue by 2030 reaching 7.2 billion VND; no more poor households; communes meeting new rural standards.

In Ngoc Chien commune, the administrative boundaries are kept intact and it has been recognized as a commune that meets new rural standards. In recent years, the commune has achieved many impressive results, successfully combining clean agriculture applying high technology with community tourism, with total revenue from agriculture reaching about 30 billion VND/year. Tourism activities have strongly developed with 35 homestay establishments, meeting accommodation needs and achieving total revenue of about 12 billion VND/year. Thanks to these efforts, the poverty rate of the whole commune has decreased to only 7.47%. Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Ngoc Chien commune, said: In the new development stage, the Party Committee of the commune aims to become a well-off commune of the province, with 3 breakthroughs: developing safe, off-season agriculture, applying high technology associated with community tourism; building landscapes, protecting the environment and tourism infrastructure; improving the effectiveness of administrative reform associated with digital transformation. By 2030, strive to increase average income by 8-9%/year, reduce poverty rate to below 6% and welcome 18,000 tourists/year.

Boat racing at Han Festival, Muong La commune.

Continuing to inherit the achievements, the communes of Muong La, Muong Bu, Chieng Lao, Ngoc Chien and Chieng Hoa are promoting their strengths, creating a diverse and dynamic economic appearance. With a new space and starting point after the arrangement, with consensus and determination, the communes in the Muong La area aim to reduce poverty sustainably and build a rich and beautiful homeland.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/ve-vung-dat-mo-iScse76HR.html