Cat Cat Village: A perfect place for sightseeing & trekking in Sapa

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Sapa is home to various stunning attractions (Source: Collected)

Sapa is blessed with the romantic allure of its mountains and forests. Among various famous attractions in this misty town, Cat Cat Village stands out as a peaceful haven highly valued by the locals. Here, you can delve into tranquility and feel the rustic yet captivating charm that makes this village a hidden gem of Vietnamese tourism.

1. Location and history of Cat Cat Village Sapa Vietnam

• Location: San Sa Ho Commune, Sapa Town, Lao Cai Province.

Nestled at the foothills of Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, surrounded by mountains on all sides, Cat Cat Village is an ideal community tourism destination for travelers seeking to explore the local culture in the highlands of Northern Vietnam. It is the residence of the Hmong ethnic people, founded in the mid-19th century. In the early 20th century, the French discovered and made this village a retreat for officials. Here, they found a breathtaking waterfall known as CatScat in French. Therefore, this village was also named Cat Cat (pronounced similarly to CatScat).

2. Is Cat Cat Village worth it? 5 reasons why the answer is yes

2.1. Poetic scenery

On the way to Cat Cat Village Vietnam, you will be mesmerized by the extraordinary beauty of nature, featuring towering mountains and vast terraces. The village unveils itself with quaint wooden houses, creating a serene panorama. Streams cascading from the high mountains form gentle waterfalls around the terraced fields. Tien Sa Waterfall, a renowned tourist attraction, stands out with its majestic allure. During the rainy season or the rice ripening season, Cat Cat Village Sapa Vietnam transforms into a mountainous haven adorned with stunning golden rice fields. 

The poetic scenery of Cat Cat Village Sapa Vietnam (Source: Collected)

2.2. Rich heritage

Besides cultivating rice, the locals here also engage in traditional handicrafts such as cultivating flax for weaving, knitting household items, carving silvery, and forging agricultural tools. Visitors to Cat Cat Village Vietnam can explore exhibitions and purchase traditional handicraft products crafted by the H’mong people. The locals also preserve many unique customs, including bride kidnapping and forest worship. During the early days of the year, you can join in the Gau Tao Festival, the community’s largest celebration. 

H’mong girls in their colorful traditional costumes (Source: Collected)

2.3. Drool-worthy culinary specialties

In Cat Cat Village, you can also savor renowned specialties of the H’mong ethnic group. Here are some mountainous delicacies that should not be overlooked on your Cat Cat Village tour.

• Thang co (Horse stew)
• Thit lon ban (Grilled pork)
• Lau ca hoi (Salmon hotpot)
• Thit trau gac bep (Dried buffalo meat)
• Ga den (Black chicken)
• Com lam (Sticky rice in bamboo)
• Ca suoi nuong (Grilled stream fish)
• Ruou ngo (Corn wine)
• Ruou tao meo (Tao meo wine)

The unique cuisine is a compelling factor that attracts tourists to Cat Cat Village Vietnam (Source: Collected)

2.4. Unique coffee shops

Cat Cat Village has two famous cafes that everyone should visit: Nha Cua Mi and Nha A Phu. The names of these cafes symbolizes the two main characters in the famous literary work “The Tale of A Phu”. Here, you can explore the distinctive ethnic culture blended with a touch of modernity. Besides being an attraction, these cafes also serve as preservers of literary essence in Vietnamese culture.

The cafes of Nha Cua Mi and Nha A Phu in Cat Cat Village (Source: Collected)

2.5. The impressive Cat Cat Show

In Cat Cat Village, there are cultural performances that encompass umbrella dancing, folk dancing, and solo acts featuring the H’mong flute. These captivating performances are delivered by the village’s artistic troupe. As of now, their schedules is as follows:

• Morning:
  • Session 1: 9:00 am – 9:40 am 
  • Session 2: 10:00 am – 10:40 am 
  • Session 3: 11:00 am – 11:40 am
• Afternoon
  • Session 1: 2:00 pm – 2:40 pm 
  • Session 2: 3:00 pm – 3:40 pm 
  • Session 3: 4:00 pm – 4:40 pm
  • Session 4: 5:00 pm – 5:40 pm

The traditional performances in Cat Cat Village Sapa Vietnam (Source: Collected)

3. Useful information for your first visit to Cat Cat Village Vietnam

3.1. How to get to Cat Cat Village from Hanoi?

There are various ways to travel from Hanoi to Cat Cat. Here are two of the most popular options:

• Motorbike: Opting for a motorbike journey allows you to appreciate the tranquil mountainous scenery along the way. You can follow the route: Hanoi – Vinh Phuc – Viet Tri – Phong Chau – Doan Hung – Yen Bai – Lao Cai – Sapa – Cat Cat.

• Bus: A bus ride from Hanoi to Sapa lasts around 5-6 hours. Upon arrival in Sapa, you can take the road leading to Fansipan Mountain to reach Cat Cat Village. You can either take a taxi, rent a motorbike, or even trek to get to the village yourself.

3.2. Best time to visit Cat Cat Village Sapa Vietnam

The village welcomes visitors every season. Spring showcases vibrant cherry and plum blossoms that create a romantic landscape. In summer, the village stands out with expansive fields of mustard flowers. In autumn, it charms with ripe golden rice fields, cool weather, and rushing waterfalls. Winter transforms Cat Cat into an icy wonderland, making it one of the most beautiful winter landscapes in the country.

Cat Cat Village welcomes visitors every season (Source: Collected)

3.3. Opening hours and entrance fee of Cat Cat Village

The village has become a tourist area. Thus, you should note its opening hours and entrance fee as follows:

• Opening hours: From 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
• Entrance fee:
  • For adults: 150,000 VND
  • Children (below 1.3 meters tall): 70,000 VND

*Note: These details are for reference only and may be subject to change over time. Travelers are advised to verify the information with the tourist area’s staff for the most accurate details.

Cat Cat Village shines as a hidden gem that invites travelers into a world of cultural richness and natural beauty. Situated at the foot of rolling hills, this mountainous village occupied by ethnic minorities will provide a genuinely immersive experience. So, pack your luggage and hit the road to explore the beauty of Northern Vietnam!

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