500 drones light up sky with 'Son La Arabica - Reaching the world'

A spectacular light show featuring 500 drones will be the highlight of the opening night of the 2nd Son La Coffee Festival 2026, taking place on the evening of October 10.

With the theme “Son La Arabica - Reaching the world,” the program will feature an artistic Drone Light Show combining light technology, music, and narration to portray Son La's homeland, culture, and people, as well as the journey of bringing Arabica coffee to international markets.

According to the script, 500 unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) will be programmed and synchronized to create 15 formations following the narrative sequence: “A Greeting to the World - Son La’s Roots and Strength - The Identity and Flavors of Home - Connecting and Reaching Farther.”

Across the night sky, the drones will form images of the map of Viet Nam, the symbol of Son La Province, bauhinia flowers, the Son La Hydropower Plant, piêu scarves, and a solidarity circle dance. These will be followed by images associated with Arabica coffee: coffee hills in full white bloom, coffee growers, clusters of ripe red coffee cherries, and a cup of coffee.

In particular, the finale will simultaneously display the words “Arabica Son La” and “Reaching the World,”alongside an image of a cluster of red coffee cherries. The display conveys a message of sharing the value, flavor, and pride of Son La coffee with people around the world.

According to the organizers, the second Son La Coffee Festival 2026 will take place from October 9 to 13, featuring 13 key activities that combine product and trade promotion with cultural, sporting, and tourism experiences.

Among the key events is the exhibition and trade fair “Son La Coffee - Connecting Values, Advancing Sustainability,” which has attracted around 140 registered businesses and cooperatives. The event will showcase coffee, tea, safe agricultural products, OCOP products, and other distinctive local specialties.

Other highlights include the “Son La Arabica” Marathon, with a route running through coffee-growing areas and incorporating experiences at coffee plantations; the “Son La Arabica Master Cup” competition featuring brewing, roasting, and coffee tasting categories; a workshop on developing sustainable, eco-oriented coffee production; and a business networking conference to promote trade in coffee products.

Local residents and visitors can also enjoy the “Son La Arabica Melodies” art program, visit the photo exhibition “Son La Coffee - A Journey Beyond,” and take part in the “Coffee Farm Experience - From Farm to Cup” program.

In addition, the “Farmers’ Competition of Knowledge and Skills” provides a platform for coffee growers to exchange knowledge, skills, and experience in production and processing, as well as to showcase their products.

Building on the achievements of the first festival in 2023, the second Son La Coffee Festival aims to honor coffee growers, processors, and businesses; expand market connections, attract investment, and promote the Son La Arabica brand in association with local cultural identity. The festival is expected to help drive the development of high-quality coffee, increase its value, and strengthen the position of Son La coffee in both domestic and international markets.

Nguyen Nga