Nestled peacefully at the foot of the majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range, Cat Cat village is a favorite destination for tourists due to its rustic beauty and the vibrant culture of the Hmong ethnic minority group. In late December (late November in the lunar calendar), the Hmong people in Cat Cat village will start celebrating their New Year, surrounded by the blooming cherry blossoms. The locals take great pride in their happy and prosperous village.
The members of Cat Cat Village have captured the true essence of a “happy village” as a new spring season arrives.
This includes the serene smile of an elderly woman, set against the peaceful backdrop of the village. Located just 3km from the center of Sa Pa town, Cat Cat village was established in the 19th century. Over the past century, it has attracted tourists with its tranquil lifestyle, idyllic scenery, and the warmth of its people, making it a captivating community-based tourism destination.
This year, since the beginning of December, cherry blossoms have started blooming in Cat Cat. By the end of the month, while other places might have a sparse showing, Cat Cat’s cherry blossoms are in full splendor.
Children of Cat Cat village dressed in the traditional attire of the Hmong people.
When visiting Cat Cat village, don’t forget to stop by the traditional craft area to witness the Hmong women at work, with their swift and skillful hands weaving linen and embroidering clothes.
For the Hmong people, the art of linen weaving is passed down from generation to generation. It not only provides an additional source of income alongside farming but also serves as a means to preserve and promote the cultural values of their ethnic group.
When you visit Cat Cat, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and learn about the daily lives of the villagers. For example, you can discover how to make the famous ‘men men’, a traditional dish of the highland people.
The children of the Hmong people in Cat Cat village enjoy ‘men men’, also known as ‘golden rice’, which is made from corn. This dish was voted as one of the top 100 special delicacies of Vietnam in 2020-2021. To prepare this dish, the locals select mature corn kernels, dry them in the sun, and then grind or crush them using a stone mortar. The crushed corn is then sifted to remove the husks, and water is added to the corn flour to form a dough. The dough is then gently spread onto a wooden tray placed over a boiling pot of water, and since the corn is already crushed, it only takes about 5 minutes to cook.
Tourists can enjoy a variety of dishes at Cat Cat, all prepared to preserve the authentic flavors of the local cuisine, and at very reasonable prices, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
Regardless of the season, you’ll find houses adorned with golden corn hanging to dry in Cat Cat village. In the late winter, the sun shines brightly, and mothers and sisters busily prepare for the upcoming Lunar New Year.
Tourists visiting Cat Cat village have the unique opportunity to dress up in the distinctive and beautiful costumes of Hmong girls, available for rent right in the village. This allows visitors to fully embrace the experience of being a highland girl amidst the poetic scenery.
The village also displays a schedule of cultural and artistic performances for tourists to conveniently plan their visit.
