Cat Cat Village Sapa: Hiking Through Hmong Heritage

Cat Cat Village is the nearest ethnic minority village to Sapa Town located at the bottom of the Muong Hoa Valley. This village is considered a great place for trekking, sightseeing, and experiencing the way of life in the mountainous area. Spending your time in Cat Cat village to enjoy mighty mountains, immense forests, amazing terraced fields, beautiful valleys, and dazzling waterfalls is a must when visiting Sapa. Therefore, do not miss your chance to travel to Cat Cat Village. 

Overview of Cat Cat Village

Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Sapa, Cat Cat Village is a charming destination that offers an authentic glimpse into the traditional way of life of the Hmong people. With its lush terraced rice fields, scenic trails, and vibrant cultural experiences, Cat Cat Village is a must-visit for travelers seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. 

Approximately 2.5 kilometers from Sapa town and near the Chinese border, Cat Cat Village is situated in northwest Vietnam. Northwest of Hanoi, the settlement is located approximately 380 kilometers away.

To reach Cat Cat Village, you can choose to walk or hike. The village is approximately 3 kilometers (about 1.9 miles) from Sapa Town, and the route is well-marked. The hike provides beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, including terraced rice fields and scenic landscapes. It typically takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour to walk to Cat Cat Village from Sapa Town.

When is the best time to go to Vietnam’s Cat Cat Village?

The months of March through May and September through November offer consistent weather with sunny, dry days and cool evenings, making them the ideal times to explore Sapa. Tourists can engage in outdoor activities like hiking, picnics, and homestays during this type of weather.

March to May: Spring is one of the most popular times to visit Cat Cat Village and the Sapa region. During this season, the weather is mild, and the terraced rice fields are lush and green. The temperatures are comfortable, and you can enjoy the colorful blooms of various flowers. It’s an excellent time for trekking and exploring the village without the extreme cold or heavy rains.

September to November: Autumn is another ideal time to visit Cat Cat Village. The weather is cool and stable, with clear skies and less rainfall. This is the harvest season for rice, so you’ll have the opportunity to see golden terraced fields, which are a stunning sight. The temperatures are pleasant for hiking and outdoor activities.

June to August: While summer can be a good time to visit due to warm temperatures, it’s also the rainy season. The frequent rains can make trekking trails muddy and slippery, and heavy downpours can disrupt plans. However, if you don’t mind the rain and want to experience the lush, green landscapes, summer can still be enjoyable.

December through February are the coldest months; ice forms and snowflakes occasionally fall. Additionally, peach blossoms are in bloom right now.

The current entrance fees to Cat Cat Village

Cat Cat Village operates as a designated tourist destination and mandates an admission fee structured as follows:

Adults: 90,000VNĐ/person 

Children between 1 and 1.3 meters in height: 50,000VNĐ/person

Children under 1 meter in height: Complimentary access.

Upon ticket acquisition, it is advisable to procure a Cat Cat Village map from the ticket counter to facilitate navigation within the village. Cat Cat Village welcomes visitors between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily.

Things to do at Cat Cat Village

Cat Cat Village offers a variety of activities and experiences that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the local Hmong culture, enjoy the stunning natural surroundings, and learn about the traditional way of life.

Considering massive water wheels

To use water power to pound rice, Cat Cat Village’s enormous water wheels are constructed of bamboo. In addition to serving that primary function, Cat Cat Village’s wheels are a site worth seeing for visitors. Visitors to this community should not pass up the opportunity to see the rotating wheels and take in the murmuring and creaking noises, which represent the peace between the residents and the environment.

Learn about H’mong architecture and culture

As you arrive in the village, you have the opportunity to visit the locals’ wooden homes. Three rooms in the house are something that many tourists are unfamiliar with, according to the architect. Only during significant occasions like weddings and funerals is the main door open. Every home has a large number of residents living there.

Visit a local handicraft store and shop

Cat Cat Village is known for its skilled artisans. You can watch locals demonstrate traditional crafts such as weaving, indigo dyeing, and silversmithing. You may even have the chance to try these crafts yourself.

Explore the local cuisine

There are small food stalls and restaurants in the village where you can try local Hmong dishes. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste traditional Hmong food, which often features ingredients grown in the area.

Savor the unspoiled splendor of Cat Cat Waterfall

The massive and impressive Cat Cat waterfall, which is located at the start of the village, may be heard for a considerable distance. The village’s summertime air is cooler and fresher because of the waterfall, which is fed by the summit of the Hoang Lien Son Range. You can pause by the waterfall to snap lovely photos and let your feet cool off.

Where to Stay?

The greatest option if you’re traveling on a tight budget or alone is to stay in Cat Cat Village with the locals. Nonetheless, you are recommended to choose a neighboring homestay if you are traveling with your groups. There are many different options for homestays in the neighborhood, all of which offer practical services that will enable you to enjoy comfort in the heart of the mountains.

While Cat Cat Village itself primarily serves as a day-trip destination from Sapa Town, where you’ll find a range of accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, and homestays. Sapa Town is the main base for exploring the surrounding areas, including Cat Cat Village.

There are many homestays and hotels near Cat Cat Village that you can take into consideration. The price is about 500,000-1,000,000/night. Regardless of your choice, accommodations in Sapa cater to a variety of preferences and budgets, so you’re likely to find a suitable place to stay.

What & Where to Eat?

What to Eat?

Thang co (Thắng Cố)

Thang Co is a dish that should not be missed when visiting Sapa and the surrounding hilly areas of Northwestern Vietnam. The word “thang co” there refers to “meat soup” in the language of the ethnic minority. Horse meat is used to make this kind of soup (even beef, hog, and goat meat). The broth is produced with hours of simmered horse bones, together with local vegetables and customary spices. “Thang co” was once reserved for special events, but these days you can find this dish at a lot of neighborhood eateries and food carts.

Chicken blood (Tiết Canh Gà)

Raw animal blood – from duck, pig, or goat – is not unusual anywhere in Vietnam, north or south. However, only the Mong community in Sapa and Cat Cat Village has access to chicken blood. To the Mong and Dao ethnic people, chicken blood is a symbol of good fortune, and this dish is reserved for honored visitors exclusively. The process for making chicken blood is the same as that of other raw blood kinds. Even if this specialty tastes scary at first, it is indisputable that it is tasty.

Grilled stream fish

Because they inhabit streams that are almost 2,000 meters above sea level, fish in Sapa are very different from fish in other locations. Because the fish is tiny, its flavor is mostly preserved by frying or grilling it. Using bamboo sticks, stream fish is split open and cooked over a charcoal fire until the flesh turns yellow. In Cat Cat Village, grilled stream fish is served with a unique sauce and raw veggies.

Where to Eat?

In Cat Cat Village (and Sapa Town) and its surroundings, you’ll find a variety of dining options to savor both local and international cuisine. Here are some recommendations for where to eat:

Sapa Town Center

The town offers numerous restaurants and eateries serving Vietnamese, Western, and local dishes. Some popular choices include Nature View Restaurant, Little Sapa Restaurant, and Viet Emotion Restaurant.

Local Markets

When exploring the local markets, you can try street food and regional specialties. The Sapa Night Market is a great place to sample street food dishes and shop for local snacks.

Homestay

If you stay at a homestay in a nearby village, your host family will usually provide traditional home-cooked meals. This is a wonderful way to experience local cuisine.

Topas Ecolodge Restaurant

If you’re staying at the Topas Ecolodge, their restaurant offers a selection of Vietnamese and Western dishes with a focus on local ingredients.

As we’ve explored in this adventure, this village offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the traditional way of life of the Hmong people, witness their rich cultural traditions, and relish the serene beauty of the Muong Hoa Valley. From trekking through lush rice terraces to savoring local cuisine and engaging with the warm and hospitable Hmong community, Cat Cat Village is an enchanting place where nature and heritage coexist harmoniously.

In addition to Cat Cat Village, Sapa offers a plethora of other stunning locations, including Ham Rong Mountain, Muong Hoa Valley, Fansipan Mountain, Ta Phin Village, and Thac Bac Waterfall. These locations include breathtaking vistas, immersive cultural events, and outdoor pursuits that will enhance your trip to Sapa.