CatCat Village: Unique cultural picture in Northwest Sapa Vietnam

Cat Cat Village Sapa is an ancient village famous for its unique and peaceful beauty created by the Black Hmong people. Located in the middle of the vast Northwest mountains and forests, this place has long been a “village worth living” and also an ideal tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Let’s explore with Sapa Local Guide the interesting information of Cat Cat village when traveling to Sapa in the content below!

Key Takeaways

Location: Cat Cat Village is 2 km from Sapa town and 5-6 hours from Hanoi.
Attractions: Features natural beauty, terraced fields, waterfalls, and traditional Hmong culture.
Best Time to Visit: April to October for mild weather and festivals; winter for fewer tourists.
Travel Tips: Wear comfortable clothes, consider renting Hmong outfits, and check the weather.
Activities: Explore traditional crafts, attend festivals, visit Tien Sa Waterfall, and enjoy local food.

Where is Cat Cat Sapa village?

Cat Cat Village is one of the most popular tourist spots in Sapa today. It is located at the foot of the grand Hoang Lien Son mountain range, about 5 – 6 hours from Hanoi by highway. From Sapa town, it’s just 2 kilometers to reach Cat Cat Village.

Cat Cat Village is like a hidden treasure in Sapa. It attracts visitors with its beautiful natural scenery and the rich culture of the Hmong people. You will see large mountains, sparkling waterfalls, and cool streams flowing through the village. The old houses made of wood, built hundreds of years ago, give the village a special charm, making it feel close to nature.

The name “Cat Cat” is said to come from the H’Mong language, meaning “under the market,” referring to a waterfall under the market. Another story says that when the French discovered this place, they were amazed by a beautiful waterfall. In French, “waterfall” is called “cascade,” which sounds like “cat cat.” Since then, the village has been called Cat Cat.

When you visit, you can enjoy the sights of terraced fields during the rice season and flowers blooming in spring. You can also join in the cultural activities of the Hmong people, adding to the charm of your experience

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The best time to travel to Cat Cat village

Cat Cat Village in Sapa has cool weather and its own beauty in every season. According to visitors and locals, the best time to visit is from April to October. During this time, the weather is mild, with little rain, making it easier to travel. Also, many traditional Hmong festivals happen, like the Long Tong festival and Gau Tao festival. You can learn about the H’Mong culture and customs.

If you want to avoid the busy tourist season, you can visit Cat Cat Village in winter (from November to March). The weather is cold, but you can still enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Northwest mountains and the peaceful, fresh air of the village.

=>Read more about The best time to visit Sapa Here.

Detailed guide to travel and visit Cat Cat village

To have a smooth tour with the most complete emotions at Cat Cat village, Sapa Vietnam, don’t miss the important information of Sapa Local Guide below!

How to Get There

Cat Cat Village is a famous old village, established in the 19th century. To get there, first, you need to travel to Sapa town center. From Sapa market, head southwest on Luong Dinh Cua Street. Then, turn onto Xuan Vien Street from Dien Bien Phu Street. Continue on to Fansipan Street, and follow this road until you reach Cat Cat Village.

The route from Sapa market to Cat Cat Village is about 2-3 km long, with paved roads that are easy to travel. Visitors won’t feel tired or uncomfortable. You can reach the village by different means, like motorbike, bicycle, or even walking. If you travel by motorbike, you can park at the village entrance for 10,000 VND per bike.

Entrance Ticket Price

To explore and enjoy the unique local culture in Cat Cat Village, you need to buy an entrance ticket. The latest ticket prices vary by age:

Children over 1.4m and adults: 150,000 VND/ticket
Children between 1m and 1.4m: 50,000 VND/ticket
Children under 1m: Free

Please note, this is just the entrance fee. Other costs like hiring a guide, renting transportation, or buying handmade items are not included.

Opening Hours

Visitors often ask, “What time does Cat Cat Village close?” The village is open from 5 AM to 10 PM. However, it’s best to leave before dark to avoid the cold night fog and stay safe. If you want to stay overnight, you can rent a homestay or hotel in the village.

What to Wear When Visiting Cat Cat Village?

When visiting Cat Cat Village, wear comfortable clothes suitable for the weather. Keep in mind, you’ll walk a long way from the ticket checkpoint to the village. So, choose comfortable clothing and shoes for easy movement.

Also, bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Check the weather forecast and carry a windbreaker or raincoat if needed.

If you want to dress like the Hmong people, you can rent traditional outfits near the village gate. The cost is around 150,000 VND to 300,000 VND per set.

Discover the beauty of traditional culture at Cat Cat village, Sapa

Besides the natural scenery, Cat Cat Village in Sapa also attracts tourists with the long-standing traditional culture of the H’Mong people. So, what makes H’Mong culture in Cat Cat Village special? Let’s explore the interesting cultural experiences awaiting you here!

1. Traditional Craft Villages

Along with tourism, Cat Cat Village continues to preserve and develop its long-standing traditional crafts, which form a unique part of the local culture. When visiting, you can easily stop by the craft workshops to learn about various handicrafts like:

Stone rolling – Linen weaving

Linen weaving is an ancient craft of the H’Mong people. At the end of summer and beginning of fall, locals harvest and dry flax plants. The plants are then stripped into small fibers, and these fibers are rolled with a stone several times to soften them. Only then are the fibers ready for weaving into fabric.

Drawing with beeswax on traditional clothing

In making traditional clothes, drawing patterns with beeswax is a complex step. It requires a lot of skill, patience, and care. The artist uses a pen made of bamboo or wood. The pen tip is dipped in melted beeswax and drawn onto the fabric. After the drawing is done, the fabric is dyed and left to dry.

The beeswax patterns on traditional Hmong clothing are very diverse. They are inspired by nature, daily life, and Hmong beliefs. Some common patterns include flowers, animals, the sun, the moon, mountains, and rivers.

There are other crafts here too, like basket weaving, brocade making, and silver crafting. When visiting Cat Cat Village, tourists can watch the local people working and even join in to experience these traditional crafts. It’s really exciting, isn’t it?

2. Unique Culture

When visiting Cat Cat Village, you can experience the unique culture of the H’Mong people. You’ll have the chance to join in lively music events, enjoy beautiful dances, and listen to soothing folk songs. Don’t miss the chance to try the traditional Bamboo Dance, a fun and special activity of the local people!

3. Customs and Beliefs

If you visit Cat Cat Village at the start of the year, you can join the Gâu Tào Festival, one of the biggest festivals of the H’Mong people. This festival is held to pray for blessings, good fortune, and a peaceful new year with good weather.

The Gâu Tào Festival is an important cultural event that takes place from the 1st to the 15th of the Lunar New Year. If it’s held over three consecutive years, each year has three festival days. Otherwise, it can be held in one year for nine days. Besides the rituals, the festival shows the rich cultural identity of the H’Mong people. The goal is to pray for health, peace, prosperity, and a good harvest. It’s also a special time for people to come together after a year of hard work.

In recent years, the local government has started special cultural programs to promote tourism. These include events like “H’Mong Cultural Festival in Cat Cat Village” and “A Day as an H’Mong Bride.” When joining these programs, visitors can experience the daily life of the H’Mong people, enjoy traditional dances, and play folk games.

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4. Earthen Wall Houses

Earthen wall houses are built using soil and gravel following the traditional techniques of local ethnic people in villages. These houses stay cool in summer and warm in winter, making them perfect for the northern mountainous climate.

Unlike the earthen houses of the Dao, Ha Nhi, Tay, and others, the earthen houses of the H’Mong people in Cat Cat Village, Sapa, are usually surrounded by stone fences made from rough mountain stones without any smoothing or adhesive. The stone walls, about waist-high, separate the living area from the surrounding fields. Next to the fence is the entrance, with a tall wooden gate and a pretty roof.

These houses in Sapa have unique features that carry deep cultural meanings. Their foundation is strong, built without using columns or posts, showing the builder’s skill and determination. The house has three sections, each with its own purpose: the left side for the owner’s stove and sleeping area, the right side for a heating stove and guest bed, and the largest middle section for ancestor worship and guest reception, creating a space for family gatherings.

In spring, blooming peach and plum flowers brighten up these houses, creating a simple yet beautiful scene that symbolizes prosperity and happiness for the ethnic community in Sapa’s mountains.

Interesting experiences not to be missed when traveling to Cat Cat village, Sa Pa

Along with its unique culture, the natural beauty and local Hmong dishes of Cat Cat Village in Sapa also keep tourists coming back. When visiting, you cannot miss these exciting experiences.

1. Admire Tien Sa Waterfall

Tien Sa Waterfall, also known as Cat Cat Waterfall, is a famous tourist spot in Cat Cat Village. The waterfall originates from the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Tien Stream. As the water flows down the falls, it creates a peaceful and romantic scene. Standing at the base of Tien Sa Waterfall, visitors not only enjoy the stunning natural beauty but are also mesmerized by the sound of rushing water.

Watching the gentle flow of water falling from the waterfall brings a sense of calm and relaxation amidst the mountains of the Northwest. This beauty has inspired legends about fairies coming down to bathe in Tien Sa Waterfall. Though the truth about these fairies remains a mystery, these stories honor the beauty of the waterfall and add to its charm and mystery.

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Admire the Majestic Terraced Field
From above, Cat Cat Village looks like it is wrapped in majestic, rolling terraced fields that curve around the hillsides. Visitors say the best time to see these fields is during the water season and the rice harvest.

The water season happens in April and May when people flood the fields to prepare for planting. The terraced fields look like large silver mirrors, reflecting the sunlight beautifully.

In contrast, during the rice harvest in August and September, visitors can see the fields turn bright yellow as the rice ripens

3. Take Lots of Great Photos

Known as the “most beautiful village in Northwest Vietnam,” Cat Cat Village is a perfect place for photo lovers. It’s a spot where visitors can capture their best pictures. To make your experience even more fun, you can rent traditional outfits at the village entrance and take photos by the terraced fields, old rose gardens, bird nests, giant water wheels, and wooden bridges.

4. Enjoy Local Food

When visiting Cat Cat Village, you must try the traditional dishes of the H’Mong people. Their food is very diverse, with favorites like corn wine, dried meat called “Khăng Gai,” chicken blood pudding, and corn cakes. Besides these, dishes like thắng cố and fermented tofu attract many visitors because of their unique preparation and taste.

This is all the important information about Cat Cat Village in Sapa that you should know for a memorable trip. Aside from Cat Cat, Sapa has many other interesting places to explore with special experiences. To keep discovering this beautiful travel destination and more exciting spots across Vietnam, don’t forget to follow and read Sapa Local Guide’s upcoming posts

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