Affirming regional advantages – Elevating the value of Arabica coffee

With over 24,300 hectares of coffee under cultivation and an estimated output of 37,724 tons in 2025—representing a 36% increase in area and a 41% rise in yield compared to 2021—Son La currently leads the nation in both the area and output of Arabica coffee, accounting for 50% of the country’s total Arabica-growing area and 43.5% of national production. On average, each hectare of coffee generates a revenue of VND 170–200 million, with profits exceeding VND 140 million—a remarkable figure that underscores the sustainable economic potential of coffee cultivation in the region.

Beyond its natural advantages in altitude, climate, and soil conditions ideal for high-quality Arabica, Son La has implemented a range of comprehensive measures to develop specialty coffee and position Son La coffee on the global coffee map.

Replanting and certified varieties – The foundation for sustainable development

One of the key priorities identified by the province is the replanting of aging coffee trees—primarily the Catimor variety, which has been cultivated for over 30 years—with new, high-quality varieties that meet international market preferences and offer greater resilience to climate change. The province aims to replant 9,800 hectares by 2030 and 12,000 hectares by 2035, with 80–90% of the newly planted area using certified, quality-controlled varieties.

At the same time, Son La has officially recognized and managed 5,000 elite mother trees, established three seedling nurseries, and developed over 1,000 hectares of high-tech coffee production zones involving more than 1,500 farming households. These are critical steps toward input control and ensuring consistent raw material quality.

Developing specialty coffee – A shift from quantity to quality

The province has identified the development of specialty coffee as a strategic direction to enhance value addition and build a sustainable brand. Currently, Son La has 1,120 hectares dedicated to specialty coffee, with targets of reaching 5,950 hectares by 2030 and 6,500 hectares by 2035. Production areas certified under RA (Rainforest Alliance), 4C (Common Code for the Coffee Community), VietGAP, and organic standards continue to expand, with more than 23,000 hectares certified across multiple crop cycles.

Seven enterprises in Son La have been granted the right to use the geographical indication "Son La coffee"—a critical asset for brand recognition, market expansion, and increasing product value.

Breakthroughs in deep processing and export

In the first half of 2025, Son La exported 17,800 tons of coffee, generating nearly USD 70 million—an increase of nearly 30% compared to the same period last year. This figure reflects a positive shift in production and market consumption. However, in reality, 85–90% of the current output is still in the form of green coffee beans, with a low proportion of deep-processed products. Roasted, instant, and canned coffee products still account for only a modest share.

The province currently has 28 enterprises and cooperatives engaged in coffee production and processing, but only five industrial-scale processing facilities are in operation. To create a breakthrough, Son La has set targets for 2035: to raise the share of deep-processed coffee to 20–25%, increase exports to 80–85% of total output, and establish and develop at least five high-tech coffee production zones.

Strengthening value chain linkages – Unlocking development bottlenecks

Initial linkages between farmers, cooperatives, and processing and distribution enterprises have begun to take shape, yet they remain small in scale and lack widespread impact. The development of centralized coffee processing industrial clusters still faces challenges related to capital, land access, and supportive policies.

To address these issues, the province needs to improve infrastructure for processing and logistics, while also attracting strategic investors to participate more deeply in the value chain. Additionally, developing agrotourism linked to coffee experiences represents a promising direction to expand the agricultural economic landscape.

Strategic vision – Sustainable development of the northwest coffee region

Son La’s coffee development strategy through 2030, with a vision to 2035, aims to ensure both increased production—targeting 47,000 tons by 2035—and improvements in quality and sustainability. The core pillars of the strategy include synchronized replanting using certified varieties, expansion of specialty coffee areas, enhancement of deep processing capacity, and the establishment of the Son La coffee brand in international markets.

The integration of science and technology, well-aligned policy support, and the active participation of farmers and businesses will be the key to realizing Son La’s vision of sustainable coffee development—bringing the Northwest region’s Arabica beans to new heights on the global stage.

Quoc Tuan

Translated by Huyen Vu