Cat Cat Village
Location: Cat Cat Village is 2km from Sapa Townlet, Sapa
District, Laocai, Vietnam.
Characteristics:
This is an age-old village of
H'Mong ethnic group remaining unique customs and practices that are lots in
other villages.
Visitors to Cat Cat have an
opportunity to admire a lively and colorful picture. That is the image of young
women sitting by looms with colorful pieces of brocade decorated with designs of
flowers and birds. When these pieces of brocade are finished, they are dyed and
embroidered with beautiful designs. A noteworthy is that H’Mong women use plants
and leaves to dye these brocade fabrics. And then they roll a round and smooth
section of wood covered with wax on fabrics to polish them, making their colors
durable.
In addition to the brocade weaving craft, many residents in Cat Cat are good at
manipulating gold and silver jewelry. Their products are fairly sophisticated,
especially jewelry for women.
Tourists to Cat
Cat are most attracted by its unique customs, including the custom of “pulling
wife”. A man can ask his friends to lure a girl he likes to his house and keeps
her there in three days. During these days, if the girl agrees to become his
wife, a wedding will be held. However, the girl can happily go home after three
days if she does not like him.
Traditional houses of H’Mong people in Cat Cat have three rooms with three doors
and covered with po mu wood roof. In the house there are three columns that
stand in round or square stones. The walls are made from sawn timber. The main
door is always closed and only opens when people in the house organize important
events. Altar, inlaid floor containing food, places for sleeping, kitchen and
receiving guests are indispensable parts of the houses.
Visitors to Cat Cat Village can discover countless unique features of H’Mong.
Source: Vietnam Administration of Tourism |