Sapa Tours & ActivitiesChapa Express Train vs VIC Sapa Train: Which One’s Best?
Both trains hook onto the same 22:00 night train out of Hanoi, and both roll into Lao Cai at 06:05. On paper they look like twins. The real differences are inside the carriage — and on our booking screen.
Short on time? Both are one click away:
Overview of Chapa Express Train
Chapa started in 2013 and has run private tourist carriages on the Hanoi–Sapa line since June 2014. Each direction hooks one Chapa coach with seven cabins onto the night train.
Cabins come in Deluxe, VIP and Suite classes, in 2-berth and 4-berth layouts. The interiors are the most distinctive on the route: wood panels, H’Mong and Dao brocade patterns, Dong Ho folk art.
The under-rated perk is on the ground, not on the rails. Chapa runs VIP lounges at both Hanoi and Lao Cai stations — tea, coffee, WiFi and luggage support while you wait for boarding. Full details in our Chapa Express review.
Overview of VIC Sapa Train
VIC Sapa is one of the newest operators on this line, and it shows in the fit-out: wood-paneled cabins that still feel fresh.
It runs three cabin classes: Luxury shared 4-berth (70×185cm), VIP Twin with foldable berths, and VIP Double. That last one has a real 140×190cm bed — the only true double in this comparison.
Small touches aim at couples: fruit and drinks in every class, and fresh flowers in the cabin if you tell them it is a honeymoon or anniversary trip. More in our VIC Sapa Train review.
Chapa Express Train vs VIC Sapa: Key Differences
| Chapa Express Train | VIC Sapa Train |
|---|---|
| 4 Berth Deluxe Cabin (price/ticket) $45
2 Berth VIP Cabin (price/cabin) $215 2 Berth Suite Cabin (price/cabin) $235 |
Shared cabin (price/ticket) $55
Private VIP Cabin – Twin Bed (price/cabin) $195 Private VIP Cabin – Double Bed (price/cabin) $210 |
Comfort & Amenities Comparison
Both run air-conditioned cabins with soft berths and clean bedding. Chapa’s AC is adjustable per cabin, with a power socket at every bed, fast unlimited WiFi, noise-canceling earplugs and an eco-friendly amenity kit.
VIC answers with newer, more minimal cabins in a warm classic-Western style, and fruit and drinks included in every class.
For groups of three or four, Chapa’s $45 Deluxe berth is the better deal. For couples, VIC’s Double cabin wins on the bed alone.
Pricing
Shared cabins: Chapa starts at $45 per berth, VIC at $55 — about $10 more for a very similar 70×185cm berth.
Private cabins flip the picture. VIC’s Twin at $195 undercuts Chapa’s VIP at $215, and VIC’s Double is $210 against Chapa’s $235 Suite.
From our 2026 bookings: Chapa outsells VIC about two to one on this route.
Punctuality & Schedule
The timetable is identical both ways: 22:00 out of Hanoi station, 06:05 into Lao Cai; 21:30 back, 05:35 arrival.
Neither train reaches Sapa town itself. Add a 35km transfer from Lao Cai station, about one hour by van.
Customer Service
Both operators run 24/7 support and reply fast on WhatsApp. The practical difference is before boarding: Chapa has lounges at both stations, VIC has one waiting room on the right side of Hanoi station.
One Chapa story our guests still repeat: a passenger lost a phone on board, and the crew searched the cabins — and the trash — until they found it.
Extras
Chapa: lounges at both ends, cultural interiors, three cabin tiers. VIC: honeymoon flowers, in-cabin fruit and drinks, the 140cm double bed.
Both operators sell the same onward transfers. A shared 16-seat van between Lao Cai station and Sapa costs $5 a person; a private 4–7 seat car is $30, with hotel pick-up and drop-off included.
Which Train is Best for You?
Booking Your Train Tickets: Chapa Express vs VIC Sapa
| Way from: | Chapa Express Train | VIC Sapa Train | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi Station to Lao Cai Station | Departure Time | 22:00 | 22:00 |
| Arrival Time | 06:05 | 06:05 | |
| Lao Cai Train Station to Hanoi | Departure Time | 21:30 | 21:30 |
| Arrival Time | 5:35 | 5:35 |
Book either train right on this page. Pick a cabin class in the cards above — we confirm directly with the operator and email your e-ticket.
Trains arrive at Lao Cai station. Add the shared van to Sapa town ($5) or a private car ($30) when you book, and the driver waits at the platform exit.
FAQs: Chapa Express vs VIC Sapa
Are Chapa and VIC the same train?
They ride the same 22:00 night train, but each runs its own private carriages. Different operators, different cabins, different service.
Which is cheaper?
For shared cabins, Chapa: $45 a berth against VIC’s $55. For private cabins, VIC is cheaper: Twin $195 against Chapa VIP $215.
Does either train have a double bed?
Only VIC Sapa — the VIP Double cabin has a 140×190cm bed for two. All Chapa berths are singles in 2-berth or 4-berth cabins.
How long is the journey?
About 8 hours on the train, then a 35km transfer from Lao Cai to Sapa town — around one hour more.
Conclusion
Two good trains, one honest difference. Chapa is the default: cheaper shared berths, lounges at both stations, and the one our customers pick most. VIC is the specialist: book it for the double bed and the occasion, not for the savings.
Either way, you wake up in Lao Cai at 06:05 with the mountains ahead of you. That part, no operator can improve.
→ Full guide: Hanoi to Sapa: Complete Transport Guide 2026
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