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Cat Cat Village is a small and beautiful mountain village located close to Sapa in Vietnam. This village is a must-see if your exploring Sapa in 2024. But there are a few important things you need to know before you go! (We have made the mistakes so you don’t have to!)
This little village has beautiful viewpoints, charming homestays, local crafts and an impressive river and waterfall in the valley. In Cat Cat village you can see local cultural performances, music and dance and traditional Vietnamese clothing. There are many places to buy food and drinks and enjoy the stunning views. The coconuts here are also some of the BEST we have tried – naturally sweet and refreshing.
We absolutely love our time exploring Sapa and the surrounding areas. This is an amazing part of the world for rural homestays and immersing yourself and tribal mountain culture. There is also some amazing trekking in Sapa. Knowing what to expect in this part of the world and what things to prepare can help you enjoy and make the most of your trip. We’re super excited to share our top tips, advice and experience with you.
There are loads of EPIC things to do in Sapa. If you are visiting Sapa and you have time we highly recommend a visit to Cat Cat village. In this guide we are going to tell you everything you need to know to plan your visit to Cat Cat village. How do you get to Cat Cat village? How much does it cost to visit Cat Cat village? Where are the best places to stay in Cat Cat village? And what is there to do in Cat Cat village? Don’t miss these DREAMY luxurious hotels in and around Sapa.
Don’t make these common mistakes in Vietnam – make sure you read our genius Vietnam travel tips
What is Cat Cat village?
Cat Cat Village is a small and beautiful rural village with stunning views of the mountains, valley, river and rice paddies. This village is home to H’mong people, known for their vibrant and colorful tribal attire. Cat Cat village is one of the most popular tourist destinations near Sapa.
So be prepared to share your experience with lots of other happy travelers. Cat Cat village has narrow walking streets lined with shops selling craft, gifts and buffalo jerky. There are also lots of viewpoints and epic insta-spots.
Where is Cat Cat village located?
Cat Cat village is located around 2km to the southwest of Sapa village in North Vietnam. Cat Cat village is located towards the bottom of the valley. It is a short walk down to Si bridge and the Nhà hát waterfall.
Do you have to pay to visit Cat Cat village?
Yes, there is an entrance fee for Cat Cat village. It costs 70,000VND for an adult permit and 30,000VND for a children’s permit. Entrance tickets for Cat Cat village can be purchased from the ticket office on arrival. This is located on the road that leads from Sapa to Cat Cat village.
TOP TOP: If you stay in a hotel or homestay in Cat Cat village you will need to purchase an entrance ticket. You only require one ticket for the total duration of your stay.
How do you get to Cat Cat village?
There are several different ways to get to cat cat Village. The first step of your journey to Cat Cat village is to get to sapa. We will show you how to travel from Hanoi to Sapa and then how to travel from Sapa to cat cat Village.
Step 1 Travel from Hanoi to Sapa
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on travelling from Hanoi to Sapa
There are several ways to travel from Hanoi to Sapa. The cheapest option is to take a bus from Hanoi to Sapa. Buses take around 6 – 7. You can take buses throughout the day and you can also take night buses. The long-distance buses are surprisingly comfortable and you can find sleeper buses with beds. Bus tickets cost 300,000VND – 400,000VND (£10 – £15 or roughly $12 – $18).
You can also take luxurious limo vans to Sapa. These are a little bit faster and more expensive. The journey costs 5 – 6 hours and costs around 500,000VND (around £17 or $20).
Another option is to take the sleeper train from Hanoi to Sapa. Night trains are very comfortable with secure lockable cabins and space to move around. You will need to take the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai and then take a minibus to Sapa (around 30 minutes). The train generally costs around 700,000VND – 1,000,000VND (£25 – £35 or around $30 – $40).
TOP TIP: If you travel by overnight bus or train you save the cost of one night’s accommodation AND you also save valuable travel time by doing the journey overnight.
Step 2 Travel from Sapa to Cat Cat village
There are several ways to travel from sapa to cat cat Village. The fastest and most convenient way to travel to Cat Cat Village is to take a taxi. The taxi apps do not work in sapa so you will not be able to use Grab or Gojek to arrange a taxi. The only way to get a taxi in sapa is to go old school and phone or flag one at the side of the road. You will need to agree on the price for the journey, which would cost around 100,000VND – 150,000VND. There are also bike taxis around too, these should cost around 10,000VND. Another way to get to cat cat Village from Sapa is to walk. The walk is pretty beautiful and not too far. This is also a great way to enjoy the stunning scenery.
TOP TIP: Get dropped off and picked up at the ticket office (at the top of the alleyway by Art House) We have marked this location on the map. From here it is a short walk down into the village.
Can you book a tour to Cat Cat village?
Yes – you can book a half day tour to Cat Cat village. The tour guides are very experienced and speak great English. They will help you learn about H’mong culture, local history and local flora and fauna. The tour involves trekking around 4km. The trek is relatively easy with a few up hill sections.
What can you do at Cat Cat village?
Check out the lavender field
Buy local art and craft
Learn about H’mong culture
Watch a cultural dance performance
Visit the Si bridge
Try buffalo jerky and smoked meats
Try Vietnamese BBQ food
Enjoy Vietnamese coffee at a viewpoint (Xavier Sapa)
Take lots of photographs
Stay in a beautiful home stay
Visit a farm and learn about local agriculture
Check out the impressive Nhà hát waterfall
Is it worth visiting Cat Cat village?
We do recommend a visit to cat cat Village if you have time. However, we recommend that you keep your expectations in check. Cat Cat Village is quite touristy and can be busy at times. If you’re expecting to rock up in a rural local village with no one else around then we recommend trying some of the other villages in the area. However, if you’re interested in learning about local culture and seeing some absolutely stunning scenery then Cat Cat Village is a great choice.
Cat Cat Village is also an excellent option if you’re interested in doing a homestay or you just want to enjoy the local culture and food. Another advantage of visiting cat cat village is the close proximity to Sapa. It is cheap and easy to get to cat cat village from Sapa. some of the other villages and much more difficult to access which is what keeps on quieter!
Are there any quieter, less touristy villages nearby?
Cat Cat Village is a popular tourist destination for both local Vietnamese tourists and international tourists. If you’re looking for a more rural “Off the Beaten Track” experience we recommend visiting Ta Van village, Giang Ta Chai village and Su Pan village.
TOP TIPS for visiting Cat Cat village
Here are a few top tips to help make your visit to cat cat Village enjoyable and as smooth as possible.
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Bring a warm layer – it can get cold in the mountains
- Bring plenty of cash – there are not any ATM machines in the village and places rarely accept card payments
- If you are buying things from the market you can barter – we recommend this if you want to get a reasonably price
- Arrive early – if you want to experience Cat Cat village in a quieter time just arrive nice and early
- Don’t miss the river section in the bottom of the valley
Where are the BEST places to stay in Cat Cat village
Here are a few awesome places to stay in Cat Cat village:
Stone Paradise Homestay
The Stone Paradise offers a range of rooms to accommodate different sized groups. This beautiful homestay is set amongst stunning surroundings. The host is very friendly and welcoming and they offer breakfast, dinner, craft, hiking tours and motorbike rental. The Stone Paradise Homestay is one of the more expensive options in the Sapa area. The high price reflects the touristy area (don’t be put off – it is genuinely very beautiful). Rooms range in price from £20 – £70 per night.
ChienDe Homestay
ChienDe Homestay is a beautiful homestay located in the Cat Cat village. Chien and his family are very welcoming and hospitable. They can offer treks around the area (and the prices are generally cheaper than booking through tour operators). ChienDe is located amongst beautiful farmland with water buffalo and rice paddies. We love the bright vibrant tribal designs in this homestay. Rooms generally range in price between £20 – £40 for this homestay.
Where are the BEST places to stay in Sapa town?
Another option is to find a place to stay in Sapa town and visit Cat Cat village. There are some amazing homestays and hotels in Sapa. Here are a few of our top picks:
Mintu Home
This stunning homestay is located at the south of Sapa town, not too far from Cat Cat village. This homestay is in a remarkable location overlooking the stunning Lao Chai valley with great views of Fanispan and the surrounding mountains. The walk to town is around 20 – 30 minutes and there are also plenty of taxis around too. Ling and her family run this homestay with a generous and warm attitude. Rooms include a very good breakfast with a choice of Vietnamese and western food. Portions are generous and the food is fresh and tasty. Rooms are around £20. We strongly recommend booking a room with a mountain view (mountain view rooms may be slightly more expensive but we reckon that it’s worth it!)
Sapa Pine Hill Eco Lodge
Sapa Pine offers a range of accommodation including rooms and villas. We love the spacious rooms and lovely wooden interiors – the perfect aesthetic for the lovely natural surroundings of Sapa. This property is excellently located on a hill to the west of Sapa lake affording breathtaking views and convenient access to town. It is only a 5-10 minute walk from Sapa square and the lake. There is plenty of great food and shops around. Book early to avoid disappointment. You can often get great FREE cancellation deals on Agoda and Booking.com for Sapa Pine. Rooms range in price between £30 – £170
The Sapa Horizon Hotel
This is probably the most impressive hotel for a combination ofl luxury and breathtaking views of Fanispan and the surrounding mountains and rice terraces. Rooms are designed with large windows allowing plenty of natural light and giving the best panoramic views of the stunning surroundings. Outdoor terraces and seating areas create relaxing spaces to enjoy the stunning views here. The Sapa Horizon Hotel is only a few minutes walk from the central square and Sapa lake. Rooms generally range between £50 – £150
Hotel De La Coupole
Hotel De La Coupole is one of the most luxurious hotels around. This hotel has a vibrant eclectic 1900 interior design theme throughout the property. There is a heated indoor swimming pool and the food is excellent. Check out the executive King Suite with its rich regal red interiors. Some rooms may include breakfast and/or dinner – always check when you book. Hotel De La Coupole is also located excellently in the centre of Sapa town only a few minutes walk from Central Square and the Sapa lake. Rooms generally range between £100 – £400
Looking for more inspiration?
Don’t miss our ULTIMATE 10 day itinerary for Vietnam. This step by step guide shows you exactly what to do, where to go and how to do it step by step to make sure you don’t miss any of THE BEST attractions in Vietnam.
