The newly built Dong Viet Express train offers deluxe services for passengers to Sapa – Lao Cai and vice versa.Dong A Express Train is wooden carriage, soft sleeper AC cabin with VIP 2berth cabin,soft 4 berths and 6 berths with toilet at either ends. Each berth is equipped with individual reading lights, baggage storage and spacious trunk for suite case and hand luggage. The train provide also water and cold tower.

Train to Sapa, Sapa trekking - best way to discover the local life

Sa Pa District is located in Lao Cai Province, north-west Vietnam, and 350 km north-west of Hanoi, close to the border with China. Sapa is famous both for its fine, rugged scenery and for its rich cultural diversity. French used to consider Sapa as Summer Capital of Northern Vietnam in the early decades of the 20th century. Its naturally gifted beauty keeps attracting more and more people to spend their vacation there since then. Particularly, the place is the foremost choice for honeymoon couples!

Searching for a cheap Sapa tour online before you go can take a lot of time. Most of the tours are around mid $250s + (some up to $400), but searching will bring about cheaper prices. If you want to be guaranteed a guide and a berth on the train you want, give yourself at least a week before you leave to sort everything out.

If you want to go budget, e-mail a company and ask what is their best price. Also, if their schedule doesn't fit yours, ask them for an individualized itinerary. The tour is only for your group, so they will modify it around when you want to arrive and depart, and different activities.

If it is a popular season, e-mail the tour provider you like and ask if there are any groups going that would mind if you joined theirs. If a tour is pre-booked, the tour operartor should be able to e-mail other groups to ask if they mind tag-alongs. Additional people will bring the price down for everyone. You won't be able to change your itinerary at all, but it will cost less.

You can find 2 day tours for as little as $99, and a 3 day tour for $149 for a private 2 person tour.  As always, doing your research brings about the best deals.

For DIY travellers: A friend living in Hanoi said if you want to chance it, you could easily book train tickets to Sapa at the Hanoi train station by yourself, hoping that the travel agents haven't booked out all the cheaps berths. Make sure you are there in plenty of time, giving yourself at least an hour to buy tickets, as your first choice of berth and train may already be sold out. See the other posts on Trip Advisor about getting to Sapa from Lao Cai by yourself. Getting around will take you a lot longer without a tour guide and private transport, but if you have plenty of time and not so much money, it is do-able on the local busses. On a short trip (like a 2 or 3 day jaunt) definatly take a tour, as a simple trip from Sapa to somewhere like the Bac Ha Markets on a Sunday will take a couple hour van, and a few hour bus just to get there.

N.B. If you are on a rush trip around Vietnam, be careful if you are planning on flying late into Hanoi and taking the train to Sapa the same night.  Jetstar is notoriously delayed, and if Vietnam Airlines has a lot of buisness class ticket buyers, they group them all onto one flight, and economy ticket holders go on later flights.

Would suggest flying in late and sleeping a night in Hanoi and spending the next day touring Hanoi, or flying in on one of the very early flights and spending a day in Hanoi. If you have pre-booked a train ticket through a tour the ticket is non-refundable, so you will have to pay additional for 1 way to Lao Cai if your flight is delayed enough for you to miss the train.

Alternatively, you could chance taking an early afternoon flight to Hanoi, and ask your tour provider to exclude the price of the train ticket. Then you can buy the train ticket by yourself if the flight arrives on time. If you miss the train, the tour provider can change the Sapa tour to 1 day less, and you can just spend an extra day in Hanoi.

Transfer service from Hanoi airport to Train station to Sapa

Lotussia Travel not only provides train ticket to Lao Cai / Sapa but also offers transfer service from Hanoi airport to Hanoi Train station to take the overnight train to Sapa.

Customers must check the flight arrival time in Hanoi to catch up with the train timetable to Sapa normally on the evening.

The earliest train to sapa depart from 8h20 PM and the last train departs on 21h50 PM from Vietnam railways station in 190 Phu Vien street, Hanoi .

To book the transfer service from Hanoi airport to the train station, 190 Phu Vien street, Hanoi. You can book the transfer service at website:http://lotussiatravel.com

Sapa Travel Information

Located 300km from Hanoi, Lao Cai  - Sapa town can be reached by car or train. There is National Highway No.70, 279, 4D linking Lao Cai to Yen Bai, Lai Chau and Ha Giang, China in turn. Lao Cai preserves lots of special cultural, historical sites. Typical sites are Sapa ancient rock field; Sapa, a unique natural tourist site...

Area: 6,357 sq. km.

Population: 575,600 habitants (2005)

Capital:Lao Cai City.

Districts: Muong Khuong, Bat Xat, Bac Ha, Bao Thang, Sapa, Bao Yen, Van Ban, Si Ma Cai.

Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), H‘Mong, Tay, Dao, Thai...

Located 300km from Hanoi, Lao Cai can be reached by car or train. There is National Highway No.70, 279, 4D linking Lao Cai to Yen Bai, Lai Chau and Ha Giang, China in turn. Lao Cai preserves lots of special cultural, historical sites. Typical sites are Sapa ancient rock field; Sapa, a unique natural tourist site; Bac Ha Market, the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands. Festivals here are very special also.


Geography
Located in North-West Vietnam, Lao Cai is surrounded by Yunna (China) on the north, Lai Chau Province on the west, Ha Giang Province on the east and Yen Bai, Son La provinces on the south.

Lao Cai‘s terrain is divided into main kinds following: valley, low and high mountainous. With 3,143m in height, Fansipan is considered the highest peak of the Indochina Peninsula. The province has 107 rivers including Red, Chay and Nam Mu rivers... The province also owns 31 types of mineral, of which apatit, cooper, iron are most valuable.

The remarkable feature of Lao Cai is biologic diversification. There are 2,000 kinds of flora, 442 kinds of birds and animals... of which 60 kinds of animals only found in Lao Cai, 9 kinds of floras only found in Sapa. So that Lao Cai owns a treasure of valuable and rare genes, making up 50% rare floras in Vietnam.
Lao Cai has typical mountainous climate. The dry season lasts from October to March, it is cold. And the rain season is from April to September. Annual average temperature is 23ºC. Specially, sometime, there is snow in Sapa.

Tourism

Lao Cai preserves lots of special cultural and historical sites. Outstanding vestiges is ancient stone engrave area with picture of map, handwriting, people thousand years ago in Muong Hoa Valley (Sapa), Pho Rang vestige. There are many beautiful caves like Thuy Tien (Bat Xat), Ta Phoi (Cam Duong), Tien-Trung Do (Bac Ha), Xuan Quang (Bao Thang).

Lao Cai is very proud of Sapa, a unique natural tourist site. Many new married couples like spending their honeymoon in Sapa because of good weather and romantic sightseeing. Visitors to Sapa in summer can feel the climate of four seasons in one day. They enjoy discovering other interesting places including Ham Rong Mountain, Silver Waterfall, Rattan Bridge, Bamboo forest, Ta Phin Cave and Sapa ancient rock field. Taken place every Saturday night, Sapa Market is an attractive place for visitors who are keen on exploring traditional cultures.

In addition, Bac Ha Market hosts the biggest fair near the mountainous highlands. It is a typical weekly activity for the H‘Mong and other minority groups living in the locality. In Cat Cat Village many H‘Mong residents are good at manipulating gold and silver jewelry.

It is festinate to travel from Lai Chau to Lao Cai following National Highway No. 4D because of scenery along roadsides and impressive sight of Hoang Lien Son Range. This way attracts to people liking the adventure and discover on bicycle, too.

Ethnic groups

Lao Cai has a colorful culture of 27 ethnic groups. They are Kinh, H‘Mong, Tay, Dao, Thai, Giay, Nung, Phu La, Ha Nhi, Lao, Khang, La Ha, Muong, Bo Y, Hoa, La Chi, San Chay, San Diu, Khmer, Lo Lo, Ka Doong, Pa Co, E De, Gie Trieng, Gia Rai, Cham, Ka Tu. The life of minority people groups base on planting rice on the paddy, on the fields in the mountains or on terraced field.

Festivals here are very special including Pray for good crop, Spring Mountain, and Long Tong festivals. There are many merry games such as nem con, tug-of-wars, cockfights.


Lao cai province, Lao Cai border pass, Heko border pass

 More information about Vietnam Sapa Tours  at Lotussia Travel website: http://www.lotussiatravel.com

Friendly Express Train

Friendly Express Train Time Table:

Hanoi - Sapa: 21:50/6:15

Sapa - Hanoi: 20:45/5:05

Friendly Express Fare (US$/person/way):

Deluxe Wooden 4 berths cabin: US$37

VIP2: Private 4 berth cabin : US$74

VIP1: 2 berth cabin : N/A

Friendly Train to Sapa, Friendly Express Train, Friendly Sapa Train Ticket

Friendly Express Train also a part of regular train with 2 carriages in SP1 and SP2 between Hanoi and Lao Cai. The Friendly Train is attracted by offering soft sleeper carriage, A/C clean four-berth cabins which create cozy comforts for travelers during the trip.

Cao Son Express Train

Cao Son Express Train Time Table:

Hanoi - Sapa: 21:50/6:00

Sapa - Hanoi: 20:45/5:05

Cao Son Express Fare (US$/person/way):

Deluxe Wooden 4 berths cabin: US$37

VIP2: Private 4 berth cabin : US$74

VIP1: 2 berth cabin: N/A

Cao Son Express train ( part of Pole-star travel) carriages, en route Hanoi- Laocai reflect the charm of colonial traveling style in northern Vietnam. They offer an inspirational experience onboard as well the time to enjoy the beauty of evocative destinations.

Cao Son express features superior, business and luxury sleeping carriages to ensure the most convenient trip for visitors to Sapa.

Deluxe carriages:

Deluxe carriages can accommodate 26 berths with superior and deluxe cabins, accompanied by the hospitality of Pole-star train staff. The enchanting luxury, the comfort facilities of the wood-panelling cabins will make your stay in these carriages memorable. Passengers are to hold the best opportunity to relax or simply let the beauty gliding over your spacious windows. Luxury, inspiration and refreshment are main character of these carriages.

All berths are wooden-panelled, air-conditioned with individual reading lights, baggage storage. Passengers are served with a very tasteful drink in the morning upon the arrival to Lao Cai or Hanoi.
Deluxe cabins create an intimate space for couples with 2 berths only. These cabins are lovingly designed to for those who desire to have the privacy with remarkable interior decor. They are the epitome of a small observation car.

Superior cabins offer a cozy atmosphere with 4 berths in one compartment, relaxing to read or enjoy an intimate conversation.

Superior class carriages:

Embark on these carriages; visitors will indulge in the pleasure of the warm decoration and safety. These carriages feature a large space to fit your luggage, a large corridor and hot water suppliers on two sides of the carriages. Locks are carefully made to be sure you never lose things when beholding the panoramic views of ever-changing scenery.

Each carriage can accommodate 28 passengers with the special care of Pole-star guiding staff in from the ground to the time you settle down. Each cabin has 4 berths; all berths are air-conditioned with water and breads for individual

Economical class carriages

Economical class carriages targeted to serve backpackers and tourists with low budgets. There are 42 berths divided into 7 cabins with two clean toilets on sides of the car. The berths are remodeled to be soft sleeper with air conditioning. All cabins are air-conditioned, equipped with safe lock and bright, large corridors. Facilities are modern and well-fitted to bring you a good night on the train. The levels of berths also offer travelers a good chance to contemplate the picturesque landscapes passing by.

Transfer Hanoi to Laocai to Sapa

Traveling by train from Hanoi to Sapa is the most popular option and trip ends and departs ( for returns) in Lao Cai where guests have to take another leg of 38 km far to and from Sapa.

So pick up and transfer are really necessary for the guests, Sapa Trains does meet the need of two main options to help its travelers:
We have a team of drivers who are at the train station waiting for the travelers arriving by night trains. The drivers have a welcome board and travelers' name list to make sure that they do the right pick-up for the hotel. They are also helpful when guests need assistance.

Bus Share option: Fee: US$3/ person/ way:
Buses: 16 seat mini bus, 29 seat bus, 35 seat bus:

- From Lao Cai Train Station to the hotel: After meeting, the guests are taken to the buses parking at the Train Station Square. The guest sometimes have to wait a while for other ones. The trip will take 1 hr approx. up the mountain to Sapa and the guests are taken to the hotel in Sapa.

- From the hotel to Lao Cai train Station: We will arrange the bus pick-up for the guest to train station. The pick-up times should be at 7:15 am, 14:20 pm and 17:45 pm. It is up to the guests' train time and request.

Private pick-up option:
Private vehicle: 4 seat car, 7 seat car, 15 seat van, 29 seat coach and 35 seat coach:

- From Lao Cai train station to the hotel: Our driver holds a welcome board with the guests' name waiting at the train station exit. Right after meeting the guests, he will take the guests to car/ van/ coach and driver straight up to your hotel in Sapa. The trip will take 1 hr approx.

- From the hotel back to train station: We will arrange the private pick-up for the guests to train station. The pick-up time is up to the guests' train time and request.