Visitors to Cat Cat village experience not only the beauty of the northwestern mountains, with their emerald rice terraces and their jagged mountains hidden in cloud, but also the chance to discover the indigenous H’mong culture.
The village has hundreds of houses lining the stone steps of pathways scattered around the mountainside. Traditional H’mong houses in Cat Cat have three rooms and three doors, and are covered with roofs hewn from Fokienia trees. In the house stand three columns constructed with round or square stones. The walls are made of timber. The main door is always kept closed and is only opened when important events are organised. The altar, an inlaid section of floor for containing food and places for sleeping, cooking and receiving guests are typical to the houses.
The H’mong people in Cat Cat village have preserved centuries-old unique customs and traditional crafts. H’mong women weave colorful clothing with intricate patterns inspired by trees, leaves, flowers and animals. They use dyes derived from plants and leaves to colour these brocade fabrics. Then, they roll a smooth rounded section of wood covered with wax on the fabric to polish it, making them colorfast.
The village is famous for its silver, copper and aluminum jewelry, one of its traditional and time-honoured handicrafts, which has created many sophisticated products.
Additionally, visitors have a chance to enjoy folk songs and dances to the melodies of pan-pipes, flutes and lip-lutes, all in harmony with the murmurs of the Tien Sa waterfalls. At the end of a long day, travelers can sample local foods such as corn wine, thang co – a hearty stew made from buffalo or goat meat – and khang gai bacon.
Cat Cat village is an interesting destination for those who enjoy discovering the unique cultures in the northwestern mountainous region of Vietnam.
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The view from Cat Cat village
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The northwestern mountains
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Traditional houses located along stone pathways
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The rice mortar of the H’mong ethnic people
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H’mong women and their brocade products
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A H’mong man playing the traditional pan-pipe
