Sơn La is a northwestern province among Vietnam's arabica origins outside the Central Highlands, mostly Catimor on plantations reported at 600-1,200 m.
Sơn La, in Vietnam's mountainous northwest, is one of the country's arabica-producing provinces outside the Central Highlands, alongside Điện Biên. Nhân Dân reports arabica at 600-1,200 m on basalt, limestone and old alluvial soils, with Catimor over 90% of the area, and says Sơn La coffee has held geographical indication status since 2017. Area figures differ by source, from about 24,300 ha to about 44,000 ha. An older trade source put Sơn La and Điện Biên together at about 9,000 ha in 2011.
Field notes
- i
Coffee in Sơn La covered 278 ha in 1990, and a provincial official now puts it near 44,000 ha, Viet Nam News reports.
- ii
Nhân Dân reports that Sơn La coffee has held geographical indication status since 2017, and that more than 90% of the area is still ageing Catimor.
Varietals
Processing
Sources · 5 Every sentence here was checked against a source we read. Taste notes are what guides describe, not promises about your bag. Last revised 2026-11-11. Some details here are less settled than others.
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- Son La focuses on sustainable coffee development · Nhan Dan