Travel Sapa Like A Local Day 2 🇻🇳 | Award Winning Restaurant, Cat Cat Village
We came to Sapa with a very different intention — not to rush through attractions, but to truly slow down and experience the place. There wasn’t a strict itinerary we needed to follow. We only had a few must-visit spots in mind, and beyond that, we allowed the day to unfold naturally.
Day 2 was a perfect reflection of that.
Our morning began at Sapa Passion Hotel & Spa with a hearty and comforting breakfast. There was a wide spread of Vietnamese buffet selections, but what really stood out was the warm, flavourful beef phở — simple, authentic, and deeply satisfying. Right after breakfast, in a completely unplanned moment, I found myself sitting at the piano, playing a few pieces… one of those little travel moments that you never plan, but end up remembering the most.
We then took a slow, relaxing stroll along Sapa Lake. The atmosphere was calm, almost poetic, with the cool air and gentle pace of the town setting the tone for the rest of the day. That walk eventually led us to a beautiful corner café — AHA Cafe, overlooking the lake.
I went for a classic black Vietnamese coffee, bold and rich, while Kelia did something a little more personal — she prepared her own matcha using hot milk from the café. We sat there quietly, cracking sunflower seeds, taking in the view, and just enjoying the simplicity of the moment. No rush, no noise — just presence.
Halfway through, in true spontaneous fashion, we made a sudden decision to visit Cat Cat Village. A quick Grab ride later, we found ourselves stepping into one of the most beautiful cultural spots in Sapa. Cat Cat Village offers a deep glimpse into the life of the Hmong people — their traditions, music, craftsmanship, and way of living. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend an entire day just exploring and appreciating the details. (We’ve shared more about our full experience — including some important tips — in our dedicated Cat Cat Village video.)
For a late lunch, we visited Chợ Tình Quán, an award-winning restaurant known for its traditional Sapa-style Vietnamese cuisine. The prices are slightly on the premium side, but the quality, flavours, and overall experience made it completely worth it.
As the day came to a close, we checked into DeLaMont Sapa Hotel, where we spent the rest of the evening unwinding and soaking in the atmosphere.
Looking back, this day reminded us that Sapa isn’t just about ticking off locations. It’s about slowing down, being present, and allowing the journey to happen in its own time.
If you’re planning a trip here… maybe don’t rush it.
Mengunjungi Sapa memang menawarkan pengalaman yang unik, terutama apabila kita memilih untuk meluangkan masa tanpa terburu-buru. Dari pengalaman saya, melawat Kampung Cat Cat memberi peluang mendalam untuk memahami kehidupan masyarakat Hmong yang kaya dengan budaya dan tradisi seni mereka. Di kampung ini, setiap sudut memperlihatkan keindahan seni kraf tangan tradisional dan alunan muzik tempatan yang menyentuh hati. Selain itu, berjalan santai di sekitar Tasik Sapa dan menikmati kopi Vietnam asli di AHA Cafe memberikan saya perasaan tenang yang sukar didapati di tempat lain. Kopi hitam Vietnam yang pekat dengan rasa pahit manisnya sangat sesuai untuk memulakan hari dengan penuh kesegaran. Membetulkan pilihan minuman seperti yang dilakukan oleh rakan saya, dengan mencampur matcha menggunakan susu panas, juga merupakan cara terbaik untuk menikmati suasana kafe yang damai. Perjalanan ke Sapa turut dilengkapi dengan pengalaman makan di Chợ Tình Quán, sebuah restoran pemenang anugerah yang menghidangkan masakan tradisional Sapa dengan citarasa autentik. Walaupun harga mungkin lebih tinggi sedikit dibandingkan tempat biasa, kualiti dan keenakan hidangan yang ditawarkan amat berbaloi dan menjadikan setiap suapan kenangan yang sukar dilupakan. Keseluruhan pengalaman di Sapa mengajarkan kita untuk menghargai momen sederhana seperti main piano spontan selepas sarapan atau hanya duduk santai sambil menikmati pemandangan indah dan suasana damai. Ini bukan sekadar melancong, tetapi lebih kepada merasai kehidupan dan budaya dengan cara yang asli, memperlambatkan langkah dan memberi ruang kepada kenangan indah terukir secara semulajadi. Saranan saya jika anda merancang ke Sapa adalah luangkan masa lebih dari sekadar melawat tempat-tempat popular. Biarkan diri anda berinteraksi dengan penduduk tempatan, menikmati makanan mereka, dan ambil peluang untuk benar-benar menyelami budaya, supaya kunjungan anda bukan hanya sekadar catatan perjalanan, tetapi juga pengalaman hidup yang bermakna.
