Many tourists visit the Cát Cát Tourist Area in Sa Pa, but few know that there exists a relic of one of Vietnam’s oldest hydroelectric plants – the Cát Cát Hydroelectric Plant. According to preserved documents, the Cát Cát Hydroelectric Plant and the Ankroet Hydroelectric Plant (in Lát commune, Lạc Dương district, Lam Dong province) are the two earliest hydroelectric facilities built by the French in Indochina.

The Cát Cát Hydroelectric Plant was constructed by the French as the first in Indochina.

Located along the Hoa Stream in Cát Cát village, Tả Van commune (Sa Pa), the Cát Cát Hydroelectric Plant was built nearly 100 years ago. Although it no longer generates electricity today, it is still preserved and protected to conserve its historical value and serve tourism and exploration.

Construction of the Cát Cát Hydroelectric Plant began in early 1925. At that time, transporting materials and equipment from Lao Cai railway station to the construction site was very difficult, mainly relying on human labor and primitive technical tools. As a result, the construction took many years to complete.

Elder residents of Cát Cát recount that when they grew up, they had heard their ancestors tell stories about how many young men from the village and the wider Sa Pa area were conscripted by the French and local officials to serve as porters to transport construction materials for the plant. The terrain in Cát Cát is remote and rugged, making the construction of the hydroelectric facility extremely challenging. The main construction work was carried out by French engineers and skilled workers from the south, while local residents only assisted as porters.

The Power Generation System of the Old Hydroelectric Plant

Materials such as cement and steel were shipped from France by sea to Hai Phong port, then transported by train to Lao Cai. Construction sand was sourced from the Ngòi Đum Stream (Cốc San). All materials were then carried on the shoulders or transported by horses over steep mountain passes up to Cát Cát. The most arduous task was transporting cement, sand, and gravel for building the dam, which was placed on the upper reaches of Hoa Stream, located on the slopes of Hoàng Liên Mountain.

Although a product of French construction, local residents are still proud when talking about the Cát Cát Hydroelectric Plant. It is considered the first hydroelectric facility built in the highlands, with significant contributions from their ancestors.

Historical records indicate that the initial design capacity of the Cát Cát Hydroelectric Plant was 50 kW/h, mainly supplying electricity to the telegraph system and serving the needs of French officers and soldiers in Sa Pa. By 1953, during the anti-bandit and resistance movements, to prevent sabotage, local authorities decided to move the power system to Yên Bái for safekeeping, ceasing operations at the plant. In 1960, when the Polish built the Geophysical Station in Sa Pa district, they researched, supported, and helped restore the plant. Polish experts designed and installed a new turbine and generator, increasing the capacity to 100 kW/h, enough to power the Geophysical Station and some key agencies in Sa Pa district.

Electric poles from 1925 still stand

The Cát Cát Hydroelectric Plant continued to operate until 1979 when its turbines were upgraded to serve two central residential areas of Sa Pa town. In 1993, when the national power grid reached Sa Pa, the plant officially ceased electricity generation, ending its nearly century-long historical role.

Despite being over 100 years old, remnants of the dam on Hoa Stream, the channel, the pressure tank area, water pipes leading to the turbines, and the control house are still well-preserved. Notably, the steel electric poles have withstood the test of time, standing resilient amid the Hoàng Liên mountain range, providing visitors with a nostalgic glimpse into the historic and colorful past of Sa Pa.

Have you heard of this ancient hydroelectric relic? If you have the chance to visit Sa Pa, be sure to visit Cát Cát village and explore this historic hydroelectric plant site!