Review Author: Nigel Na

Review Date: 12 Dec 2022

Review Body: Much better than the Sapaly Express. Cabin was beautifully made-up, comfortable, and clean. The Chapa lounge (Waiting Room 2) at the Lao Cai Railway Station provided a clean, comfortable, and pleasant waiting area, and the staff alerted us of the appropriate time to board, and even brought us directly aboard to show us to our cabin. Toilets were clean, with ample supplies provided. My wife's testimonial: "The only way to travel."

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kate

Review Date: 10 Mar 2026

Review Body: We absolutely loved our time on the Chapa Express! Highly recommend it to anyone who wants something a little different. Staring out the window as we entered Hanoi was a great experience to see the city waking up. The Queen Suite was perfect as you get a double bed as well as two chairs so you don’t have to lie down the whole journey! It was really well organised - thank you!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Louise

Review Date: 06 Jul 2026

Review Body: There is no other way to travel to Sapa from Hanoi. This is the best train trip - beyond comfortable, very luxurious and amazing value for money. Highly recommend this train to anyone. We traveled as a family and the team went above me beyond to ensure we were placed close together. Wonderful experience!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: France Nguyen Vincent

Review Date: 02 Apr 2025

Review Body: We enjoyed the atmosphere and privacy of our 2 person cabin. It was comfortable and the bedding was of quality and clean. The setting and sway of the train going through the night has a timeless quality and makes for a nice overnight journey.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Amanda

Review Date: 03 Dec 2023

Review Body: It was a fuss free trip, paid for the hotel pick up and the driver drove well. Aboard the train, we were given water, snacks and ear plugs (which turned out to be a life saver!). Arrived in Hanoi with no delay and issues, recommended!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sharon Giblin

Review Date: 07 Apr 2023

Review Body: Well organised. Clear guidance and communication. Left us to focus on the experience and not having to worry about the logistics etc. thank you!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: C

Review Date: 13 Sep 2023

Review Body: Amazing, clean. Train was noisy but they provided ear plugs and food. Would recommend for a trip back to Hanoi

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rina

Review Date: 22 Mar 2025

Review Body: The cabin is really nice and clean. You can also take shower at their lounge while waiting for the departure.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Nazhan

Review Date: 08 Dec 2024

Review Body: We love the white clean theme of the cabins! We also love the snacks provided! Toilets are clean and nice!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Julia

Review Date: 01 Dec 2023

Review Body: Comfortable, clean and well attended. SeekSophie did a great job of communicating and answering questions.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Swarnika Agrawal

Review Date: 12 Dec 2024

Review Body: Very beautiful and comfortable journey

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Gracia Chen

Review Date: 01 Oct 2022

Review Body:

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lin

Review Date: 08 Mar 2025

Review Body: Despite the loud engine noise our family managed to sleep throughout the journey. The cabins are great especially cabin 11 (for 2 or 4 berths). We returned to Hanoi in cabin 11. They are painted in white with beige curtains, the warm lights make the cabin very cozy and the paintings on the wall make the cabin look fun and creative. We went to Lao Cai in cabin 12 - painted in black with red curtains. Nice too but we prefer the white cabin — looks warm and bright. There’s ONE downside. Do NOT let the Hanoi Train Station officers tell you that Chapa lounge is NOT open yet. CHAPA Lounge is open at 8pm and the Hanoi train stationofficers told us they are open at 9pm. They will make you deposit 100k dong (abt sgd$5 plus) so you don’t have to lug your luggage around. NOT true. Simply arrive the train station at 8pm and head straight for the lounge at 2nd floor. You get cinnamon flavoured tea and pop corn (hanoi style) but the CHAPA lounge (FREE entrance with free wifi) at Hanoi Train station is beautiful. The Chapa lounge officers gave us conflicting message about the opening hours. Do NOT listen / Trust the Hanoi Train station officers. They will intercept you when you step into the train station. Head straight for the 2nd floor and ask CHAPA lounge officers — polite and thoughtful unlike the vulture-like Hanoi Train station officers. CHAPA express lounge in Hanoi does NOT offer food. CHAPA express lounge works differently in Lao Cai. U can buy food and walk in and eat at the lounge. Regardless of the HANOI train station officers (nOT CHAPA train officers) deceitful attempt to make money from CHAPA train passengers, my family will still take CHAPA Express in the future. We have taken worse ones in Vietnam.

Review rating: 4

Review Author: Kathy K, Winconsin

Review Date: 10 May 2016

Review Body: We took the Chapa Express night train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. I was very concerned about it because of reviews I read about how dirty the bathrooms were, especially towards the end of the trip. We found none of that. Every time I used the restroom it had just been sprayed down, very clean. We very much enjoyed the ride. Both, my son and I slept well. Beds are a little short for anyone over 5'8". We booked the VIP private coach for 2. This was all taken care of by our tour company VietVision. We were picked up at the hotel in Hanoi , tickets were arranged and we were escorted to our cabin. The cabins are very small. Not sure how 4 people would manage. We pulled the top beds down and placed our luggage up there. If you are returning to the same hotel in Hanoi you can leave your big pieces of luggage with them. You may want to bring a snack and extra water. They have a bottle of water and some cookies for you but, we were hungry when we arrived in Lao Cai so took food for return. We had a tour that took care of everything. If you are traveling without a tour be advised that the train ends in Lao Cai, you will need transportation to Sapa.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jo B, Australia

Review Date: 14 Oct 2018

Review Body: There are 3 different overnight trains between Hanoi and Sapa. I booked our train through Train to Sapa and received incredible service. Ms Ngoc Ha gave me good advice, helped me change tickets when I messed up the booking and did my 2nd booking on Whats Ap which was super convenient. We took the Chapa Express and it was clean, with cute sinks, free water, toothbrushes, nuts and slippers and a bed side lamp. The toilets were clean. We noticed the train felt like it was rocking much more on the upper bunks and it was colder with a strong air con vent at the top of the cabin. It's worth taking some snacks as the food they sell on the train is not great and overpriced (by Vietnam standards). We really enjoyed the train ride overall and I especially loved the service and advice from Ms NGOC HA at Train to Sapa.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: kellypL447DW

Review Date: 08 Mar 2017

Review Body: We had an excellent experience with Chapa Express for an overnight train to Sapa, though we did splurge for the VIP private room. They provided snack and beer or wine. The beds were very comfortable. We requested a room towards the middle of the train and got it and have no complaints about noise or smells (well you are still on a train so it is somewhat loud). We enjoyed the buffet breakfast at U Sapa Hotel when we arrived in Sapa. I am unsure if our enjoyment would have been greatly affected if we had not done the VIP private room, but we did enjoy the VIP private room.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jacquie Keelan

Review Date: 20 Aug 2026

Review Body: The great service and wonderful décor of the first class suites help to make this a very lovely and luxurious mode of transport for the journey to Sa Pa. Sleeping is tough as the train is old and noisy but in many ways this added to the authenticity of the the journey. - It's a unique experience that both I and my daughter felt was unmissable. Wear ear plugs and don't have any expectations on sleep and you will have a wonderful time, watching Vietnam pass by and experiencing a little piece of living history - Top tip - book a hotel for a shower and power nap on arrival!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kathleen Wong

Review Date: 28 Sep 2023

Review Body: 1. Great service and arrangements provided by Ms Fang through email with clear instructions from issuing e tickets to hotel shuttle bus arrangements. 2. Smooth check in with e-ticket at Chapa booth located right in front of boarding gate at second floor of Hanoi Train Station. 3. Clean and comfortable cabin with nice decorations. Light snacks, fruits and drinks provided for free. Me and husband had very good sleep despite the train was shaky and noisy. 4. Shuttle bus driver waited us once we arrived at Lao Cai Train Station. Polite and friendly driver.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Esther

Review Date: 19 Oct 2025

Review Body: We booked VIP cabin for 2 adults & 2 children to Sa Pa. Fuss free collection of tickets, access to VIP Lounge before entering Chapa Express. Very comfortable experience and great to see Hanoi Train Street from inside the wagon. Pack the PJ’s into the handluggage for quick and convenient change of clothes. 2 large luggages and 2 cabin bags fit comfortably underneath the lower beds. Highly recommend and would do it again!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tracey

Review Date: 20 Sep 2026

Review Body: This was so much fun! Especially leaving Hanoi and going down train street with a different perspective. It’s loud. It rattles, but we splurged on a queen bed room so we were nice and comfortable. Ear plugs provided but didn’t do allot so my suggestion would be to invest in your own. A great adventure. Highly recommend

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Today you will embark on a journey from Sapa to Hanoi

Itinerary Description: 5:30 pm - The minibus departs Sapa town (if select the bus add-on) 7:15 pm - The minibus arrives at Lao Cai train station 9:30 pm - The train departs Lao Cai train station 5:30 am (the next day) - The train arrives at Hanoi Railway Station (Ga Ha Noi)