Cat Cat village
Cat Cat village
3.5
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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- shaishavvMumbai, India1,205 contributionsGood for experiencing Vietnamese village & souvenier shoppingCat Cat Village as the name suggests is a village which is created mainly for the tourists to experience Vietnam village life. Lot of walking is involved. Going down & then going up which is exhausting. One can use the bike service on payment basis to avoid this exhausing climb up. The village is very beautiful with lot of natural beauty, traditional performances & lots of shops to buy locally handVisited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 6 March 2024
- Lauren SPerth, Australia206 contributionsCat cat village walk. Sapa.This was a unique experience. The village they have built down there is amazing and beautiful and would be an instagrammers dream. They have set up so many different beautiful locations/scenes and themes to take gorgeous photos if that is what you are after. The waterfall was lovely. The walk down there are many small stalls selling local products, and many different small bars and cafes to stop into. We had a beautiful clear and warm day here away from the usual foggy and colder Sapa weather so could see the gorgeous views. There are A LOT of stairs involved, so maybe don’t head down there if you are not good with stairs. Otherwise. Highly recommend you take a look at this individual and quaint little village in sapa.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 March 2024
- Maja Huss21 contributionsGood day with pretty views but felt like it was just made for touristsCute village but touristy. Took a walk there from Sapa town and the views were stunning. Cost 150.000 for a ticket to go inside and they had shops and restaurants in the village. I ended up spending about an hour there including a stop at one of the restaurants overlooking the village. The waterfall was pretty as well, but nothing extraordinary - it all felt like it had been built up just for tourists to visit. Took a motorbike to go back to the town and I paid 70.000. It was a good day but don’t think I would go back.Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 10 April 2024
- meilin lMacquarie Park, Australia970 contributionsJust a visitNot bad - the waterfall and scenery are not bad. Just that the entire place do give me that it is man made. For the r first time visitors it is ok to go and visit as it offers nice scenery. It is good for people who can walk but elderly are best to avoid as there are many steps and i doubt the elderly can walk.Visited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 29 May 2024
- LET GO LEASH • Alecia287 contributionsYes it's touristy, but that doesn't mean it's not worth visiting...I think people need to understand it is literally called "Cat Cat Tourist Area". I don't know what this village was before I visited, but yes, it is a tourist area. We spent the day hiking down the stairs, enjoying strange art at multiple view points, having a cup of coffee or tea, and playing cards. By the time were got down to the bottom (the main area) we had some food, played with the kids, and learned about their local music by watching the performances. You can tell they have done work on the village. They have built bridges and there are beautiful flowers all around. It may not be the most authentic, but I think they did a beautiful job. And at the end of the day, I am a tourist. I'm not upset that this location is free for locals to visit, and not for me. I think that is an absurd and ignorant argument to make. I thought it was a gorgeous little town, and had it been a place back home, everyone would love the changes they had made to it. So, I think take this trip with a grain of salt. Is it a very authentic small 'village' in the mountains, no. Is it a beautiful and interesting place to visit, absolutely. The weird thing I couldn't put my finger on that my travel mate and I were discussing all day were the people that were fully dressed in traditional garb for photo shoots. They appeared to almost all be individuals of asian decent, I am assuming Vietnamese. It sparked a very interested conversation about appropriation within a culture's own dynamics that I have no idea the answer to. All I know is as a tourist I would never have rented one of the outfits. Just something I noticed...Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 June 2024
- tinkle_24Northampton, United Kingdom1,822 contributionsPleasant settingSadly this black Hmong village is now only a tourist attraction. You can just about imagine what life was like with the river flowing by and the ethnic group engaged in their typical activities. Of course life is no long as it was..poor and harsh.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 June 2024
- Handi SuyadiBandung, Indonesia645 contributionsNeed Much Energies(Visit on April 12, 2024) Recently Cat Cat Tourism Village began popular, accelerated with the increasing popularity of Sapa. Many tourists that go to Sapa also visit Cat Cat Tourism Village. Unfortunately, Cat Cat Tourism Village is not for everyone. Tourist need to down the stairs just to visit Cat Cat Tourism Village, because the area was located at area with lower height than Sapa. The stairs itself have hundred steps. Too challenging for everyone whose have difficulty on using stairs. At some area, the stairs were very steep. Through the stairs, there are plenty shop selling souvenir (mostly locally made), craft, food and drink. Thankfully, tourist can return to above by using electric bus. At the location, visitor can see a beautiful waterfall and watch locals showcasing traditional culture. Well, it's really look neat, but need much effort to visit there.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 22 August 2024
- Barbs25Staffordshire, United Kingdom3,973 contributionsPretty villageYes it’s a touristy place but it didn’t make it unenjoyable for us anyway. It’s popular for a reason cus it’s pretty so the locals have made money from it and why not. You can easily walk to the start of the village from sapa town, not too far down the bank. Easy to find following the main road out. You buy at ticket at the kiosk just off the road then it’s quite a steep downhill trial but it’s steps all the way and way enough. Took us about 30 minutes maybe. Shops and sellers along the way but didn’t find them pushy at all. When you make it down to the village it’s so pretty, wooden bridges, paths and flowers all around it’s so picturesque. Deep in the valley with green hills all around and the river running though it’s a lovely place. Lots of local tourists having photoshoots in costumes. Busy but easy to find some more peaceful spots. We walked back up which is steep but easy enough taking your time. There are also bikes and taxis that intersect the path in parts of you prefer a lift up. Really enjoyable morning spent here, glad we ignored the negative reviews.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 October 2024
- Jonathan Phan384 contributionsFun Experience at Cat Cat villageDuring our family’s unforgettable journey to Sa Pa in June 2024, we had the pleasure of crossing the iconic Cầu treo Cát Cát. The panoramic views from the viewpoint were breathtaking; lush terraced fields unfolded before us. Visiting Cat Cat viewpoint in Sa Pa during the third week of June 2024 was an unforgettable experience. The weather was perfect, with just enough sunshine peeking through the clouds to illuminate the verdant rice terraces that Sa Pa is renowned for. The bamboo structure at the viewpoint provided a unique frame to view and capture photos of the stunning mountainous landscape. It’s a serene spot that invites reflection and appreciation for nature’s beauty. As my journey in Sa Pa came to a close, I found myself at this very spot, soaking in every last detail—the cool breeze and tranquility. It was more than just a visual treat; it was a moment that engaged all senses and left me with a profound sense of peace.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 9 October 2024
- Norhashimah R9 contributionsWorth all the steps!It is worth to pay a visit/tour to this place if you like culture and nature Suggest to go early in the morning (8-8.30am should be okay) to avoid the crowd Don't take the bike down the hill from the entrance The waterfalls are pretty Souvenirs are cheaper at the Cat Cat Village compared to outside but bargain game here is strong U need to buy something(like souvenir or drink) in order to take pictures at certain spots U can stroll by yourself or take a tour (we did DIY tour) There are few taxis waiting at the exitVisited October 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 October 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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3.5
1,055 reviews
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Eliana Maria
Jakarta, Indonesia527 contributions
Dec 2024 • Friends
This place was great for picture taking, not for nature lovers. Most people who came here rented the Hmong traditional clothes and even rent a photographer. Many spots here are instagram-able. If you come here not for picture taking, be prepared to be disappointed.
During my visit in mid December, the road to this place was closed, so we had to walk 1 km downhill to reach the closest entrance. The river was located near the further entrance, so be prepared to go down hundreds of stairs. The only way to return to Sapa city centre without climbing the stairs back is to hail a motor bike (you have to bargain traditionally, Grab bike isn't available in Sapa). Their standard offer is VND 80,000/bike to return to Sapa centre. The road back is uphill, winding, and very foggy. I couldn't really see the road and had to trust the driver completely 😆 It was quite scary.
During my visit in mid December, the road to this place was closed, so we had to walk 1 km downhill to reach the closest entrance. The river was located near the further entrance, so be prepared to go down hundreds of stairs. The only way to return to Sapa city centre without climbing the stairs back is to hail a motor bike (you have to bargain traditionally, Grab bike isn't available in Sapa). Their standard offer is VND 80,000/bike to return to Sapa centre. The road back is uphill, winding, and very foggy. I couldn't really see the road and had to trust the driver completely 😆 It was quite scary.
Written 24 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linz H
Manchester, UK12 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Having read the reviews, we were wary whether to go to Cat Cat Village or give it a miss. I think what people are forgetting is that yes, there are people peddling their wares, but what do you expect from a touristic area ... And yes, there is an entry fee, like lots of places the world over. If you can get your head beyond that, then it's a pleasant day out. They were doing some construction work at the bottom near the waterfalls, and even that didn't detract from the visit. It is a steep hike down many steps to the waterfall and a killer coming back up, in my opinion. You will be mithered if you want to opt for a motorbike transfer back up to the top, rather than having a cardiac, but we politely declined every time (only because l wanted to prove to myself I am fitter than what I think).
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jānis S
Cesis, Latvia21 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
I got a little worried about the bad reviews but I’m glad that we went there. It’s a question of what you expect from the place. We visited village in a rainy day close to closing time and had a quiet and peaceful evening there with a great view. I definitely can’t agree with the one star reviews although if you’re searching for a authentic local experience you’re in for a bad time.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmd
16 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
To avoid ! Accessible on foot about 20 minutes walk from the city center depending on your hotel.
I arrived without knowing that there was a charge. I arrive at the top of a staircase, the entrance is manned by a guard, you have to pay 220 or 250D I don't remember well.
But don't go there! It's a total tourist trap. For me it's like going to a human zoo, I totally refuse to pay to see people in their place of residence and see them working etc.... And who does the money go to? The women of the villages harass you in the street to make us buy souvenirs but especially THE CHILDREN! if the money is not for the children and to help them avoid forced labor....where then does this money go?!?! Lots of children in the evening, especially under 10 years old, probably who carry babies on their backs and try to sell key rings while the mothers look on. Sometimes sitting around doing nothing or selling too. Total boycott of these places and boycott of sales by women in the street because they are the ones who make their children work.
I arrived without knowing that there was a charge. I arrive at the top of a staircase, the entrance is manned by a guard, you have to pay 220 or 250D I don't remember well.
But don't go there! It's a total tourist trap. For me it's like going to a human zoo, I totally refuse to pay to see people in their place of residence and see them working etc.... And who does the money go to? The women of the villages harass you in the street to make us buy souvenirs but especially THE CHILDREN! if the money is not for the children and to help them avoid forced labor....where then does this money go?!?! Lots of children in the evening, especially under 10 years old, probably who carry babies on their backs and try to sell key rings while the mothers look on. Sometimes sitting around doing nothing or selling too. Total boycott of these places and boycott of sales by women in the street because they are the ones who make their children work.

Written 27 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Go30734466436
12 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Unless you are interested in shopping or taking pictures in traditional clothing, its not really worth the entrance fee (150k p.P.). The village could be nice, but seems to suffer from overtourism. It was overcrowded (sunday) and you couldn't really enjoy it due to the amount of people, who all blocked paths to take pictures of themselves. It's just a big tourist town with people putting on a show to try and entertain. Left me feeling a bit sentimental about what this village may have been before.
Written 14 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aileen S
11 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Beyond amazing! Cat Cat village was the closet to being in a real life fairy tale I’ve ever felt! The tree house as you come in was well worth the very small fee (10k). We have 2 small children (2 & 5) the steps where a bit much for our 2 year old but it was worth carrying him down to the waterfalls, the most magical scenery & a cultural show every hour we where there for 3 of the shows, my 5 year old wanted to watch them over & over & join in with the dancing at the end! We jumped on motorbikes for a very reasonable fee (100k each bike) back to Sapa town to save the kids walking back up all the steps (totally doable by ourselves but would have been too much for the kids). I’m really glad we didn’t read the trip advisor reviews before going to Cat Cat because maybe we wouldn’t have went and would have missed out on seeing one of the most beautiful parts of earth!
Written 25 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Footrip
48 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Just go! If you're already planning a trip to Sa Pa, then make sure to stop at Cat Cat village. I was a little hesitant because of the negative reviews, but we enjoyed ourselves. I think we spent about three hours here.
It has a little bit of a fake Disneyland feel/parody vibe of a real culture(s) but just enjoy it for what it is. A couple of us paid extra for the photo opportunity thing where you climb treehouse like stuff. It was cute and affordable. Plus admission includes a water bottle.
We never dined at a restaurant here but we did stop for drinks and fresh coconut at one point. It was kind of hot and dusty that day, and we dipped our feet in the cool river at the bottom and it was very nice.
I bought a real leather card holder that I thought was affordable.
If you have the time, then maybe it would be fun to rent traditional outfits and get photos taken?
Lots of stone stairs fyi! I don't know how accessible it is for the elderly or people in wheelchairs :(
It has a little bit of a fake Disneyland feel/parody vibe of a real culture(s) but just enjoy it for what it is. A couple of us paid extra for the photo opportunity thing where you climb treehouse like stuff. It was cute and affordable. Plus admission includes a water bottle.
We never dined at a restaurant here but we did stop for drinks and fresh coconut at one point. It was kind of hot and dusty that day, and we dipped our feet in the cool river at the bottom and it was very nice.
I bought a real leather card holder that I thought was affordable.
If you have the time, then maybe it would be fun to rent traditional outfits and get photos taken?
Lots of stone stairs fyi! I don't know how accessible it is for the elderly or people in wheelchairs :(
Written 6 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobbi S
Lido Beach, NY5,616 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Everything we read said that Cat Cat Village is very touristy, not authentic, crowded & not worth going to. We say: none of the above is true & we are so glad that we went! If you imagine that his created village is more than just that then you, too, will enjoy it. Yes, you have to first walk through a long line of small scale vendors who sell everything from buffalo jerky (it was quite good!), to silver jewelry, woven bags, belts, blankets, food, drinks, you name it. Once in the valley area, you will see TONS of people, mostly Vietnamese tourists who rent traditional clothes to have their pictures taken alongside one of the waterfalls, on horses, next to one of the many water wheels, near the river...it's all so colorful. We happened to walk into one of the small theaters in time to see dancers practicing their routines as their leader beat out the rhythms & perfected their movements. Suddenly, a local vendor came in with baskets of greens & all the dancers stopped their practice so that they could buy some herbs & veggies for their families. We saw beautiful waterfalls, huge birdhouses, gardens of flowers & fruits trees, people coming & going everywhere, taking in all of the sights. We enjoyed the rural feeling, the stone stairways, trees hugging the hillside, the slow-moving river, & we, too, took one of the best pictures here. A good memory.
Written 29 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monica S
4 contributions
Apr 2023
This place is a tourist trap. To get to this place, you have to go down a long narrow street full of street vendors and dogs. Be prepared to get exhausted to say "No" and refuse people that try to sell you stuff and stop you. The village itself is not an authentic village, it's a fake one, made for tourists, and it's full with tourists only dressed up in traditional clothes that came there to take photos. Go on a hike in the rice fields instead, this place is a tourist trap and the few hours it takes to get there and see it are just not worth it.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Herling w
7 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
We tried to find a bit of info on cat cat but could find much. Being in Sapa Cat Cat being close by we decided to go and visit it. First of all the walk begins along a busy road. After 1 km we found a short cut and ended up in a parking lot were we had to buy a entrance fee ticket. I live in Bali so nothing new here we have the same kind of villages. Then the walk to the village is surrounded by sellers from top to bottom. The whole way its steps with on flat area its down all the way. Ones arriving at the village its hard to distinguish were is the village. Has its a few dirty huts turned into souvenirs shops. The waterfall are not impressive and the place has sillions of tourist you could hardly walk. Imagine being stuck on steep step in a subway kind of crowd in a hot environment. And after all this effort finding yourself surrounded by shop on the bottom of a ravine. Thanks god after getting back up we hired 2 bikes for us to be brought back into Sapa. The bike ride was the best thing from the whole trip that got us as far away from there has possible.
Written 19 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Instead of entering at the top then walking down the steps to the waterfall, are there bikes at the top entrance to bring you down to the bottom entrance? We will be staying at KK Sapa Hotel. Thus, would need to get a cab to Cat Cat anyway.. But I read the road to the bottom entrance is currently inaccessible to vehicles aside from bikes.
Written 1 February 2025
Is there a hand rail on the steps down to Cat Cat village? Is it doable for a 67 year old with arthritic knees if we take our time? I understand that we can hire a motorbike to go up the hill when exiting? I have read that it is very touristy, but we would like to visit anyway.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Written 1 July 2024
The entrance I took through the top of the village and down, there is certainly no type of handrail down the stairs into cat cat and it is quite uneven (multiple different sections of steps in front of little shops etc). I would NOT suggest this way.
If you are going to visit, I would suggest hiring a car/bike to the most southern entrance, and entering that way. It seems all those steps concrete were poured at around the same time so it's more even. Unfortunately, I don't remember if there is a handrail.
I don't know much about arthritis, so I'm not quite sure how to answer this, but it is quite steep. I would proceed with caution. Good luck!
Written 2 July 2024
What are the stairs down like? How many stairs/how many flights from the entrance at the top, through the village to the bottom? Could a 75 year old with slight knee problems walk all the way down for example?
Written 25 May 2023
Please chose the entrance at the end of asphalt road. First entrance is at least hundred meters elevation higher than second one, close to bigger parking 🅿️ place should be easier. You will avoid some problems. There are many taxi 🚕 as well. Otherwise this village was for me rather commercial. If you would like to see real villages pls visit Muong Hoa valley with rice paddies and villages. Great views, nice walk and no traffic
Written 26 May 2023
Hello, do I need to joint a tour to visit Cat Cat village?
Written 30 November 2022
We have booked a package for Cat Cat Village in November 2019.
May I know how's the weather and is the hike/trek suitable for elderly in their 60s?
Written 11 August 2019
Hi there,
Cat-cat village is definitely an easy-medium track especially for elders. On November, I believe it will be colder but bearable considering the winter is coming. Just make sure, you are equip with suitable clothes and you are good to go!
Written 13 August 2019
Is there a guide company you would recommend?
Written 5 August 2019
We travelled with Halong tours, they were great our guide was Tsai he was very knowledgeable and had great English
Written 5 August 2019
Hi, anyone know is there a car transfer from sapa town to cat cat village? Is available, how much would be the cost?
Written 27 April 2019
Due to the language barrier, you need to have a good guide. Best to book it with your hotel or your travel agents. Cat Village is quite near my hotel.
Written 1 May 2019
Can we walk on our own from Sapa Centre Hotel to Cat Cat Village or do we need a guide? I read that it is only 3km away.
Written 8 January 2019
You can walk without a guide. However when you reach the village you will pay an entrance fee. Be prepared. Wide brimmed hat , walking shoes/boots, water.
You are 1600 m above see level heading down a steep path to the village.
The village is great to see and beautiful waterfalls.
You then walk through the village and back up a steep path to the town.
Or organize a vehicle to meet you at the bottom car park to drive you back up the mountain.
Then head for a chilled beer , you’ve earned it
Written 8 January 2019
Ирина
Moscow, Russia
Подскажите, какая погода в середине мая? Как выглядят рисовые поля в мае-они зеленые или желтые?
Written 30 March 2018
Hi there, I would like to know what time does Cat Cat village open? I'll be arriving in Sapa very early in the morning and would like to know what is the earliest I can start exploring the village. Thanks! :)
Written 1 March 2018
the village is lived in so you can go anytime. But the shops open at 9am.
Written 31 March 2018
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