|
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.
The Son La Provincial Museum was originally a penitentiary
built by the French in 1908. At first, it was
only a small provincial prison. But between 1930
and 1945, thousands of Vietnamese patriots were
imprisoned here. Key individuals who later
became main leaders of the Revolution for
National Liberation were incarcerated in the Son
La Prison. In 1962, it was classified by the
Ministry of Culture as one of the numerous
revolutionary heritage sites in the country. The
penitentiary was partially rebuilt after 1952
bombings and visitors can visit the
subterraneous tiny cells with food-serving
hatches and leg irons. The museum also exhibits
precious objects introducing the historical and
cultural traditions of 12 ethnic groups living
in Son La province. Son La Provincial Museum
welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every
year.
|
