Overview

VIC Sapa Train runs private sleeper carriages on the nightly Hanoi – Lao Cai (Sapa) route, with a VIP waiting room inside Hanoi station. Cabins come in three classes: Luxury shared 4-berth (70×185cm), VIP Twin with two fold-down berths, and VIP Double with a 140×190cm bed.

Every cabin comes with fruit, drinks and snacks; couples on a honeymoon or anniversary are welcomed with fresh flowers. We confirm every booking directly with the operator and send your e-ticket by email.

VIC (Vicsapa Train, running since 2023) hooks its own wood-panelled carriages to the SP3/SP4 tourist train. The ride is the same eight hours every Sapa train takes; what you’re choosing is the cabin.

Weighing it against Chapa Express or King Express? The short version: VIC’s queen-bed cabin and its lounges at both stations are why couples pick it.

Cabin Classes & Which to Book

Luxury 4-berth ($55 a person) — you share with up to three others, and you can’t choose who; solo travelers and friends. VIP Twin ($195 a cabin, up to 3) — private, two lower beds with the upper berths folded away; about $98 each for two, or a parent with two kids.

VIP Double ($210 a cabin, 2 adults) — the only real queen bed (140×190cm) on this route, and the cabin most of our guests book. On VIC’s own site these are the “VIP 2” and “VIP 1” cabins; VIP prices are per cabin, not per person.

All cabin types include:

• Dual-function air conditioning (cooling & heating)

• Large windows for panoramic views & comfort throughout the journey

Luxury Cabin

Shared cabin – 4 berths
Max occupancy: 4 adults

Berth size
70 cm × 185 cm

Amenity on Board

• Fresh fruit set, cookies, tea & coffee
• Bottled water
• Cold tissues & toothbrush
• Wi-Fi & hot/cold water dispenser

Vip Cabin – Twin Bed

Private cabin – 2 foldable twin berths
Max occupancy: 3 adults

Berth size
70 cm × 185 cm

Amenity on Board

• Soft drinks, fresh fruit & cookies
• Bottled water, tea & coffee
• Cold tissues & toothbrush
• Wi-Fi & hot/cold water dispense

Special Touch: Guests celebrating a birthday or wedding anniversary are warmly welcomed with fresh flowers

Vip Cabin – Double Bed

Private cabin -1 Double Bed
Max occupancy: 02 adults

Berth size
140cm x 190cm

Amenity on Board

• Soft drinks, fresh fruit & cookies
• Bottled water, tea & coffee
• Cold tissues & toothbrush
• Wi-Fi & hot/cold water dispense

Special Touch:Birthday or anniversary guests receive fresh flowers and cake.

Vic Sapa Train Itinerary

Way from Hanoi to Sapa

Pick-up Location:

Hanoi Train Station – 120 Le Duan

Train Arrival:

Lao Cai Train Station – Khanh Yen Street, Lao Cai City

Final Drop-off (if transfer is booked):

Your hotel in Sapa Town (by shared or private transfer)

Train SP3 leaves Hanoi station (120 Le Duan) at 22:00 and reaches Lao Cai at 06:05. VIC’s lounge is in the station lobby, right-hand side, open from 20:00 — swap your voucher for the ticket there, arriving 30–45 minutes before departure. Sapa is another 32km uphill: book the shared ($5) or private ($30) transfer in the form.

Way from Sapa to Hanoi

Pick-up Location (if transfer is booked):

Your hotel in Sapa Town (by shared or private transfer)

Train Departure:

Lao Cai Train Station – Khanh Yen Street, Lao Cai City

Final Arrival:

Hanoi Train Station – 120 Le Duan

Train SP4 leaves Lao Cai at 21:30 and reaches Hanoi at 05:30. VIC’s Lao Cai lounge is directly opposite the station, a two-minute walk. If you have a morning flight, allow about 45 minutes to Noi Bai at that hour.

Schedule & Departures

One departure a night each way. Check-in gates open an hour before departure; VIC’s lounge at Hanoi station opens at 20:00 for ticket exchange.

Why Choose VIC Sapa Train?

The queen bed: VIC’s VIP Double is a proper 140×190cm bed, not two berths pushed together — the reason honeymooners and couples choose this carriage. Lounges at both ends: a VIP waiting room inside Hanoi station and another opposite Lao Cai station, so nobody stands on a platform at 21:30. The touches: fruit, snacks, tea and coffee in every cabin; flowers and cake if you tell us it’s a birthday or anniversary.

The trade-offs are the ones every Sapa train shares: two shared toilets per carriage and none in the cabin, and no dining car, so eat before you board. The air-conditioning is central and only adjustable, and the ride back is bumpier. VIC is also a young operator (2023) with a shorter track record than Chapa or King — we book it regularly and it has been reliable.

Additional Info

Luggage Allowance

• No weight limit on the train — bring what you can carry yourself.
• Luggage stays in the cabin with you, under the lower berths or in the free space if you book the whole cabin.

Children Policy

• Children ≤ 4 years old and under 112 cm in height can share a bed with a parent for free (1 child per cabin).

• Children > 4 years old or ≥ 112 cm must purchase a full ticket.

Other

• The duration of transfers may vary due to traffic conditions
• Food and drinks are allowed for consumption inside the vehicle, with consideration to maintaining cleanliness during the trip