Cat Cat is the closest Black Hmong village to Sapa — a 20-minute downhill walk from town — and the most visited. It sits in a steep-sided valley below the town, connected by a well-maintained path that descends through rice paddies and past a small waterfall. The village is genuine, not a recreation: the families who live here are Black Hmong, and the terraced gardens around the houses grow vegetables and herbs alongside ornamental flowers.
The path has become busy with tourists, which has led to some commercialisation — souvenir stalls are everywhere. But the valley itself is beautiful regardless, and the walk down and back (about 2 hours) gives a reasonable introduction to the landscape. The waterfall at the bottom of the path has a café. For a less-visited experience, take the path on to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages instead, which requires a guide but sees far fewer tourists.