Where and How to Get There?
Cat Cat Village is located in Sapa, about 350 km northwest of Hanoi. The journey takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. You can travel by sleeper bus or limousine, costing around 400,000 VND per ticket.
If you prefer riding a motorbike, you have two route options:
-
Route 1: Hanoi – Vinh Phuc – Viet Tri – Phong Chau – Doan Hung – Yen Bai – Lao Cai – Sapa. This route is relatively easy and covers about 360 km.
-
Route 2: Hanoi – Hoa Lac – Son Tay – Thanh Son – Along QL32 – Sapa. This longer route is over 420 km but offers stunning views as you pass through two of the four famous mountain passes in the Northwest: O Quy Ho and Khau Pha.
Hiking to Cat Cat Village from Sapa town is not a bad choice
Cat Cat Village is located about 2 kilometers southwest of Sapa town, making it very convenient to reach. The entrance fee here is 150,000 VND per person per visit.
There are three main ways to get to Cat Cat Village:
-
Motorcycle Taxi: The motorcycle taxi service in Sapa is quite popular, costing around 40,000 VND for a one-way trip or 70,000 VND for a round trip from the town center.
-
Renting a Motorbike: If you're confident in your riding skills and want to explore the area, you can rent a motorbike for just 80,000 to 150,000 VND per day.
-
Bicycle Rental: A great, eco-friendly option is to ride a bicycle. The route from Sapa town to Cat Cat Village is picturesque and perfect for a leisurely bike ride. Many hostels and hotels in Sapa offer bicycle rentals, typically ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 VND per day.
-
Hiking: The short distance allows you to walk, which is a fantastic way to enjoy the scenery, stay active, and save on transportation costs.
Best Time To Visit
There are many times of the year to explore Sapa but to fully experience its beauty, the best times to visit are from March to May and September to November. During these periods, Sapa exudes a gentle charm with a mild atmosphere, warm sunshine during the day, and a cool climate in the evenings.
The best times to go to Cat Cat Village are March to May and September to November
From March to May, you can admire vibrant flower valleys and lush green vegetable fields. In contrast, from September to November, the terraced rice fields turn golden, creating a stunning landscape.
The average annual temperature in Sapa is 15.4°C with the highest temperature reaching 29.4°C in July and the lowest dropping to -3°C in December. Be cautious when planning your visit during the rainy season, which lasts from May to August, as heavy rains can lead to flash floods.
Top Things to Do in Cat Cat Village
Buy Handicraft Products
After passing through the entrance to Cat Cat Village, you'll walk along a stone-paved path leading into the village. On both sides of the road, many shops are selling H'Mong handicrafts. You'll have the opportunity to collect a wide variety of unique souvenirs at affordable prices, including silver jewelry, traditional fabric clothing, wooden toys, local specialties, and plush toys made from embroidered fabric.
Stone road where there are stalls selling handicrafts
Visit the Ancient Rose Garden – Bird Sanctuary
After walking through the stone path lined with souvenir shops, you'll arrive at a garden filled with various flowers. This is a perfect spot to capture panoramic views of the valley, showcasing the stunning scenery. The colorful flowers are ideal for photography and enjoying the beauty of the area. Additionally, you'll find a swing bridge and a gazebo resembling a windmill, where many memorable photos are taken during your exploration of Cat Cat Village.
Visit the Ancient Rose Garden – Bird Sanctuary
Admire Tien Sa Waterfall
Sapa is a region with a cool climate year-round, home to many beautiful waterfalls, and Tien Sa Waterfall (also known as Cat Cat Waterfall) is one of them. The sight of the cascading water, creating a white frothy spray, combined with the soothing sound of flowing water, creates a vibrant and serene atmosphere. Surrounded by the refreshing scents of the mountains and forests, it offers a truly relaxing experience.
Admire Tien Sa Waterfall
Nearby the waterfall, large wooden water wheels are also a characteristic feature of Cat Cat village. In this area, there is also a horse riding photography service for only 20,000 per person for one photo.
Horse riding service in Cat Cat Village
Enjoy Cultural Performances
Exiting the waterfall area, you'll come across a quaint little house used for cultural performances. Every day, there are singing and dancing programs to entertain tourists. Here, H'Mong girls and boys perform traditional dances and songs.
Enjoy singing and dancing parties at Cat Cat village
Joining in the dances and music will create a joyful atmosphere for your visit to Cat Cat Village. You can even participate in the Cheraw dance with the local H'Mong youth, adding to your immersive experience.
Try The Local Food
A must-try experience is wandering through the market and stopping by various stalls to enjoy the famous local specialties. Some signature dishes from the Northwest region include:
-
Dried Buffalo Meat: Fresh buffalo meat is skillfully marinated with spices by the locals and then hung in the kitchen for an extended period. The smoke intertwines with the fibers of the meat, creating a dish with an incredibly delicious and distinctive flavor. Price: 750,000 - 850,000 VND/kilogram.
-
Corn Wine: The corn wine in Cat Cat Village is made using traditional methods with unique types of leaf yeast from the H'Mong ethnic group, resulting in a fragrant and irresistible flavor. Price: 180,000 VND/1 bottle of 500ml.
A stall selling bamboo rice and grilled meat
-
Thang co: A traditional H'Mong dish made from horse meat, often served with fragrant broth and herbs. Price: 100,000 - 330,000 VND/bowl.
-
Colorful sticky rice: It is typically served during festivals and special occasions. Price: 80,000 VND - 150,000 VND/plate.
-
Fruits: Cat Cat Village is home to a variety of fruit crops. Therefore, tourists visiting Sapa at any time of the year have the opportunity to enjoy delicious and enticing fruits such as plums, peaches, pears, and wild apples. Price: 20,000 - 50,000 VND/kilogram.
-
Many other mouth-watering dishes are worth mentioning, including grilled wild meat (chicken, pig, deer), men men (a traditional steamed corn flour dish), and bamboo rice.
Attend Gau Tao festival
If you can, join the Gau Tao Festival organized by the H'Mong people from the 2nd to the 4th of the first lunar month every year. This festival is to pray for good health and good harvests.
Participate in the Gau Tao festival here on the 2nd to 4th of the first lunar month
You will participate in vibrant cultural activities such as singing, dancing, wrestling and traditional games. Preparations for the festival include quite interesting rituals such as choosing and cutting down the sacred tree, symbolizing good luck.
Travel Tips
To ensure a smooth trip, keep the following tips in mind:
-
Avoid giving money or buying items from street children to help against child labor exploitation in Sapa.
-
Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately since Sapa's mountainous climate can be unpredictable, especially during the rainy season.
-
Wear comfortable shoes, like sneakers, as the paths in Cat Cat Village can be uneven and slippery due to nearby waterfalls.
-
Protect the environment by reducing litter in public areas to preserve the natural landscape and the living space of residents.
-
Carry personal items carefully to avoid theft or pickpocketing during your travels.
Continue your exploration by reading places to visit in Sapa.
Cat Cat Village Sapa offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes, rich H'Mong culture, and delicious local cuisine. Ready to embark on your adventure? Contact our NEW team for personalized tour and essential travel tips for an unforgettable experience in Sapa! We’re here to help you make the most of your journey!
