The mountains of northern Vietnam remain relatively unexplored, largely because of the limited road network and the difficulties of getting around by public transport. Even major highways are little more than single-truck, many roads are under repair and things gradually improve.

• The most popular routes to get to Sapa is sign up for train ticket depart at night time between 7.00 to 10.30pm from Hanoi station to Lao Cai station. We highly recommend Victoria Express train with soft sleeper and air conditioning. The journey is about 8.5 hours then by car or mini van to Sapa, it takes about 50 minutes up and down the beautiful rice terraces of local people.
• Getting there by local buses is possible, though very uncomfortable, bumpy roads and many buses charge Westerners double or treble the regular fare.
• Renting a vehicle gives you more freedom to stop at villages or jaunt off along side tracks. Either a four-wheel-drive jeep or landcruiser or a motorbike is recommended.

If you have more time, highly recommend to do the excursion to Bac Ha market on Sunday, Can Cau market on Saturday or Coc Ly market on Tuesday. You can go there by local transportation(uncomfortable) or rent a private vehicle easily in Sapa or included in the itinerary if you book the tour through the travel agent.

The Hanoi-Lao Cai train runs every evening, departing from the Hanoi Train Station (120 Le Duan Street) at 9:30pm, arriving at Lao Cai the next morning around 6:00am. The return train departs Lao Cai at 18:45pm, arriving in Hanoi the following morning at 05:00am

Victoria Express Train

The Victoria Express offer more comfortable air-conditioned soft sleepers. The train offer is at its best in terms of comfort and services from Hanoi to Lao Cai and vice versa. The Victoria Express train offers two luxury sleeping carriages, one restaurant connected to the train, all with air-conditioning. Due to the increasing popularity of this alternative, they offer tickets to those staying at Victoria Sapa hotel only. As the seat on Victoria Express especially Deluxe cabin is limited, booking of your berth (and your hotel room) at least 30 days in advance is recommended...

Livitrans Train

The send best available train in between Sapa & Hanoi comes after Victoria Express
Tulico express train
Tulico train offers comfortable air-conditioned soft sleepers. This is a good value for money train carriage. It is good and clean cabin, especially the deluxe 2 berth cabin ( for 2 persons only) between Hanoi and Lao Cai. While this is is not a luxurious train it offers good alternative transportation to get to Sapa from Hanoi. It is soft sleeper, A.C and clean 4 berth cabin. The train provide you one bottle of water, small snack and a napkin.

Ratraco Train

The Ratraco Express Train is designed with soft 4 berths and two toilet at either ends features 4 soft berth in each cabin with individual reading lights, baggage storage and spacious trunk for suite case and hand luggage. The train provide also water and cold tower.
TSC Express Train
The TSC Express Train is wooden carriage, soft sleeper A.C cabin with soft 4 berths and two 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.

Royal Train

Like Tulico train, Royal train is not a separate train, but it is Soft sleeper carriage, A.C and clean 4 berth cabin in 2 carriages connected to local train (SP1 and SP2) between Hanoi and Lao Cai. The Royal Train departs every night (The journey takes 10 hours)
From Hanoi Railway Station: at 21:30 and arrive Laocai sation around 06.00am
From Lao Cai Railway Station: at 20:20pm, arrive Hanoi sation around 05.30am