Muong Va tower: A cultural relic in Son La

PSNews - Located in Muong Va commune, Sop Cop border district, Son La, Muong Va ancient tower is a famous site in the Son La's system of historial-cultural relics, bearing Lao culture imprints.
Muong Va tower in Son La. Photo: Nguyen Cuong/VNA.
Muong Va tower in Son La. Photo: Nguyen Cuong/VNA.

As reported, over 400 years ago, the Thai ethnic people in Muong Va commune supported the Lao migrants to build Muong Va tower that became a national ancient architectural relic of Vietnam in 1995.

Muong Va tower is deeply imbued with Theravada Buddhism brought in by the Lao people and it is considered the most ancient work in Sop Cop district and one of a few old architectures in the northwest.

Lying on a 13m-high artificial hill, the tower had been restored twice to its former glory, boasting cultural and art values characterized culture and religion of the Lao ethnic group in the northwest and Son La in particular.

Atop the tower, tourists could see a panorama of Muong Va mountain village surrounded by stretching mountains, immense paddy fields and dreamlike streams.

Son La shares over 200km of borderline with Laos and is now home to upper Lao ethnic people, or 0.33 percent of the province’s total population, mostly in Sop Cop and Song Ma districts. Muong Va commune records their largest population who live on cultivation and rice farming.

A representative of Son La's Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that, the relic affirms solidarity between Vietnam and Laos and cultural exchange between the Lao and Thai ethnic groups in Son La. 

By L.B

Other News

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam national U17 football team secured a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for the first time after defeating United Arab Emirates national U17 football team 3-2 on in the final Group C match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia on early May 14 (Vietnam time).

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

A twinning agreement between Da Lat Railway Station in Vietnam and Trouville-Deauville Railway Station in France was signed at the French Embassy in Vietnam on May 7, creating new opportunities for cooperation in station management and operations, as well as cultural and tourism promotion between the two sides.

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

The recognition of Chuyen My and Son Dong craft villages as members of the World Crafts Cities network represents international acknowledgement of the cultural value, artisanal techniques, creativity and sustainable vitality of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, he said.

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Co-hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, the Department of Culture and Sports, and domestic and foreign agencies, the whole spectacle is meant to honour the city’s millennia-old heritage while reafffirming its strategy of establishing culture as a development engine.

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

In the context of deep international integration, cultural identity serves as both a “shield” against assimilation and a defining marker of a nation’s image. Protecting and promoting uniquely Vietnamese cultural values has therefore become a pressing task, particularly in an increasingly complex digital environment.

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

With its large scale, the ITE HCMC 2026 aims to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam and priority markets such as Northeast Asia, Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania while also boosting visitor arrivals from the Indian market

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Although widely regarded as a cultural “speciality” attracting tourists, Vietnamese puppetry is facing multiple challenges in preservation and development, requiring renewed efforts to both safeguard its identity and adapt to contemporary cultural currents.

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

By 2030, the project targets the establishment of shared digital platforms across 100% of cultural sectors. All digitised cultural heritage will be standardised under the national data framework and shared in accordance with regulations, while 80% of public digital heritage assets are expected to receive digital identifiers to clarify ownership and management, encouraging organisations and individuals to do the same and support market development.

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam has in recent years undergone a notable transformation in its tourism development strategy, placing a strong emphasis on nature-based and eco-tourism. This shift is not merely aligned with global trends, but represents a necessary step towards safeguarding valuable natural resources, while appealing to a growing segment of environmentally conscious travellers.