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Son La Dam

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

energy

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The Son La Dam is the largest hydroelectric power plant in Southeast Asia and a masterpiece of Vietnamese engineering. Constructed on the Da River in Son La province, it was officially completed in 2012, three years ahead of its original schedule. The power station has an installed capacity of 2,400 MW and generates an average of 10 billion kWh of electricity annually, supplying approximately 10% of Vietnam's total energy demand. The construction of the dam necessitated the relocation of over 90,000 people, marking one of the largest social relocation projects in the country's history. Unlike the earlier Hoa Binh Dam, Son La was primarily designed and built by Vietnamese companies and engineers. Beyond electricity generation, the dam plays a critical role in flood control for the Red River Delta and in regulating regional water supplies for agriculture. The facility utilizes state-of-the-art technology to monitor structural integrity and seismic activity in the area. Son La stands as a national prestige project, demonstrating Vietnam's technological advancement in the renewable energy sector.

Location: Vietnam
Nearby: Sơn La (10 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Oct.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	14	17	20	24	25	25	25	25	24	21	18	14
Rain mm	32	18	47	98	158	180	256	302	152	85	39	25

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

This massive dam on the Black River is considered the largest hydroelectric power plant in Southeast Asia and plays an absolutely indispensable role in Vietnam's national power supply. The gigantic engineering structure is also a symbol of the region's rapid technological progress.

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Visiting

While the sensitive technical facilities inside the power plant are generally strictly closed to the public, driving or walking along the imposing crest of the dam is often possible. Tourists can admire the impressive scale of the architecture and the vast reservoir from close up.

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Where to view it

The most spectacular panoramic views of the hydroelectric power plant open up from the surrounding mountain slopes and from specially established viewpoints along the access roads. Especially in the late afternoon, the structure is often picturesquely reflected in the calm waters of the reservoir.

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Local products

In the small communities around the reservoir, travelers can typically taste local agricultural products such as fresh tropical fruits, regional rice, and freshly caught freshwater fish. In addition, hand-woven textiles of the ethnic minorities of the mountain regions can often be found.

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Active season

The majestic structure is an impressive destination year-round, although the water masses plunge through the spillways with particular force during and shortly after the rainy season. The drier months, however, are significantly better suited for extensive exploration of the surrounding mountains.

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Nearby

A trip to the dam can be perfectly combined with excursions to the authentic villages of the Thai and Hmong minorities or a scenic drive through the mountainous province of Son La. Boat trips on the calmer sections of the Black River are also highly recommended for a relaxing experience.

Geography

Coordinates

21.68800, 103.92100

Facts

The dam wall is 138 meters high and is constructed using roller-compacted concrete.
The power station is equipped with six turbines, each with a 400 MW capacity.
The total construction cost of the project was approximately 2.5 billion USD.
The reservoir covers a vast surface area of 43,700 hectares.
The project was officially inaugurated on December 23, 2012.
More than 12 million cubic meters of concrete were used in the dam's construction.