Chapa Express Train is a special train which operates completely in the darkness of the night. The designers decide to choose the mysteriousness of the black night as the main concept of the train, leaving the most important areas with the twinkling spotlights. A long journey starts from stepping onto the train in the middle of the city, following a good nights sleep which brings out a lot of emotion and ends up by opening eyes on the border region.
While waiting for their departure on the ground of the Hanoi Railway Station, each of the train*s window shines like the flickering light emanating from houses laying halfway down the middle of the mountain. They provoked the curiousity of an unpredictable journey ahead. Each of the train*s cabin acts like a *house*, greeting passengers with warmth, welcome and peace behind its opened doors.
A *house* subdued the atmosphere of the mountainous houses, with rustic black wooden walls, carrying the colour of time. There are pieces of curtain and bedding, carefully selected from the most beautiful brocades which were weaved, drawn with bee wax, dyed, and hand embroided by the hands of the most refined H*Mong and Dao women. The dim light created by hundreds of tiny bulbs simulating a warm fireplace in the middle of a winter night. They are also like a thousand stars in the night sky, twinkling as the train begin to roll slowly to the North, leaving a mysterious black outside of the windows. The designers also payed attention to the smallest details, such as the bedside table, which was a handcrafted product made from natural wood panels and bars. A garbage basket cleverly hidden under the table, expressed the promise of the company to comply with and support all environmental protection campaigns. Each public areas inside the train uses natural wood panels and decorative pieces of stones, carrying the breath of the mountain. Each of the Long skirt, the Nêm drum, and the Khèn was skillfully transformed into subtle and refined decoration.
To create the reminiscent brocade patterns of the ethnic Sapa, the designers created a system of geometric lines as the main theme for the interior of the train. Besides black, the designers make use of prominent colours such as the Vermilion red of the Dao, the Indigo blue of the H’mong, the White of the Kinh to express the desire to blend and integrate the culture of the destination into their design.
Chapa Express train will bring you a comfortable, quality journey with full amenities such as drinking water, towels, toothbrushes, slippers, wifi, bedding, designed toilets separate at the end of the stone car is very clean and convenient... along with a team of professionally trained staff who are always ready to assist, will definitely bring maximum satisfaction. Especially, Chapa Express has a waiting room reservation for train passengers at the restaurant in Lao Cai Station, creating convenience for customers, where the service staff will guide and complete the boarding procedures for you.
Chapa Express Train has 7 private cabins which are decorated in traditional Sapa designs and well-appointed with comfortable beds, air-condition, reading lights, luxury furniture, wood-paneling, clean toilets, hot water, and heaters. There will be also complimentary drinks (hot tea or coffee), snacks, and cold or hot towels to welcome passengers to get in the train.
Each cabin in Chapa Express Train has 4 berths which can be transferred to deluxe cabin with 2 berths upon guest’s requirement. In addition to above listed amenities, other available services in the train include slippers; candy, pie, or biscuits; mineral water; dental kit, com; and paper cup. The modern amenities and the enchanting luxury will make guest’s journey from Hanoi to Sapa become enjoyable and memorable.
Pros
-
Having a separate wash room with two paneled-porcelain basin to wash hands.
-
The VIP 2-berth cabin will always be arranged in the middle of the coach in order to give passengers wonderful and deep sleep.
-
Travelers can take shower in the morning or evening at Chapa lounge inside the Lao Cai train station for free.
-
Offering breakfast, dinner at Chapa lounge with best price guaranteed.
-
Besides the listed amenities, fruits are also served freely in cabin.
-
Very clean toilets and cabins.
-
Professional and hospitable staffs.
Cons
-
The corridors inside the train are quite narrow but the large windows and impressive decorations of the train will draw more attention of passengers.
Special Note
-
Free having shower in our office
-
Free transfer from our office in Hanoi to the train station (one way)
-
Free transfer from Laocai to Sapa by shuttle bus or minivan
-
Free of charge for children under 5 year old sharing parent‘s existing berths
-
Ticket price does not include meals on the train but include snack and drinks
-
The charge of ticket price in holiday season is 30%
-
The restroom is not in cabin and only opened when the train runs
1. From Hanoi to Lao Cai
SP3: Hanoi to Lao Cai ( 22:00 pm - 06:20 am )
Ticket exchange location: Tran Quy Cap station ( in front of exit 6 )
Departure time: 22:00 pm
Arrival time: 06:20 am ( scheduled )
Drop off location: Lao Cai station
2. From Lao Cai to Hanoi
SP4: Lao Cai - Hanoi ( 21:40 pm - 05:30 am )
Ticket exchange location: Lao Cai station ( Chapa Office )
Departure time: 21:40 pm
Arrival time: 05:30 am ( scheduled )
Drop off location: Tran Quy Cap Station