Cat Cat Village: Worth a Visit But Know Before You Go

If you’re planning a trip to Sapa, one of the must-visit spots you’ll definitely hear about is Cat Cat Village. I’d say—yes, go for it—because it’s a charming place nestled in the mountains, especially beautiful during summer when the weather in Sapa is nice and cool. The moment you arrive, you’ll notice many tourists dressed in traditional costumes, posing for photos everywhere. It’s honestly quite fun to see! There are lots of costume rental shops at the entrance area, and you can hop from one to another to compare prices. Most of them offer a package deal that includes entrance fees, costumes, makeup, and a ride (usually by motorbike) down to the village. Now here’s something I learned the hard way: The motorbike ride isn’t free, even though it might seem included in the package. Always clarify and negotiate beforehand. Also, we got a photographer from the same shop—big mistake. It turned out to be more expensive than hiring one at the village itself. Once we reached Cat Cat Village, we saw many freelance photographers offering a cheaper deal, and some packages came with 10 edited photos. The price difference was significant. But to be honest, I wasn’t super impressed with the quality. If you’re confident with your phone camera, just wear something nice and snap photos with your friends—you’ll save a lot and still have a great time. The village itself isn’t very big, so it’s easy to explore on foot. One annoying part was when the photographer we hired tried to charge extra just to take a photo at the waterfall, which is actually the main viewpoint! I didn’t want to pay more, but my friend really wanted the shot… so we gave in. 😩 Also—taking photos with the horse costs extra too. It made me quite sad actually, because the horse just stands there all day under the hot sun, being used again and again for pictures. It didn’t feel right. Overall, wearing the costume can still be a fun experience (especially if you compare shops and get a good price), but do note: • You’ll likely need a motorbike ride down to the village if you’re in full costume. • Walking down is possible, and some people do that to save money. • After exploring, you can walk back up, or try to negotiate a private car. Grab isn’t reliable in the area, especially on the return trip. Despite the ups and downs, I’d still say Cat Cat Village is worth visiting, especially during summer when the air is cool and the rice terraces are lush. Just go in with clear expectations, avoid unnecessary upselling traps, and you’ll enjoy the experience #summervacay #catcatvillage #sapa #vietnam