After breakfast, we set off to explore the beautiful Sa Pa Valley and visit Cat Cat, a village home to the Black H’Mong people. The rain was still falling, and the mountains remained hidden beneath low cloud, but we were determined to make the most of our day in this fascinating corner of northern Vietnam.

Breakfast at the hotel was a welcome start to the day, with a good selection of food to set us up for our excursion. Outside, the rain was still falling and the mountains remained hidden in mist, but we were soon on our way to Cat Cat village to discover more about the local Black H’Mong people.

Our guide, Ms May Thuy, led us down towards Cat Cat village. Despite the persistent rain, she was cheerful and enthusiastic as she introduced us to the traditional way of life of the Black H’Mong people. The steep, slippery paths made walking a little challenging, but there was plenty to see along the way.

As we made our way down the steep village paths, we passed traditional wooden houses, small shops and local stalls. Despite the rain, village life continued, and there were plenty of interesting sights along the way. It was a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of the Black H’Mong people.

Many of the traditional wooden houses were built on stilts, with everyday items stored beneath the raised floors. Despite the heavy rain and muddy paths, village life carried on as usual, offering us a fascinating glimpse into the homes and customs of the Black H’Mong people.

Inside, the houses were simple and practical, with chickens and ducks sharing the ground floor. Maize and corn hung overhead to dry, while sacks of harvested rice were stored for the winter. Life here was a world away from the busy towns, and it was fascinating to see these traditional ways of living.

There were plenty of animals wandering around the village, including this fine fellow rooting about on the stone path. The pigs seemed quite at home among the houses and terraces, adding a little extra character to our walk through Cat Cat village!

The rain had transformed the streams into raging torrents, and the waterfall was spectacular, although the conditions made exploring a little challenging. With our waterproofs doing their best to keep us dry, we continued our visit to Cat Cat village, making the most of this memorable day despite the weather.

We were treated to a lively performance of traditional dance and music for the small group of visitors to Cat Cat village. The local performers put on a wonderful show, which was a pleasant surprise on such a wet day. Afterwards, it was time to make our way back up the steep, slippery path towards our waiting taxi. By then, just about everything seemed to be soaked!

Our lunch stop at the Red Dao House was an excellent choice, with a welcoming atmosphere and good food after a very wet morning. After lunch, we returned to the hotel to shower and collect our bags before heading to the bus office. Thankfully, our guide had made sure we had proper seats and berths for the return journey to Hanoi! This time, the journey was far more comfortable, with a stop for food and toilets along the way. We arrived back at Maison D’Hanoi around 10 pm, tired but pleased with our day exploring Cat Cat village. Despite the relentless rain, it had been a memorable experience.