Book your train tickets with Family Express.

Family Express is a Vietnamese private railway company connecting Hanoi and Lao Cai.

Trains operated by Family Express

Family Express operates their own passenger cars that are attached to the trains hauled by Vietnam Railways locomotives, departing and arriving with the same schedule.

Passenger cars are divided in two classes: Sleeper 2-Berth in compartments for 1-2 passengers and Sleeper 4-Berth in compartments for 1-4 passengers. Customers who wish to enjoy some privacy by reserving the whole compartment can select the maximum number of passengers and purchase all the tickets.

For more information about travelling by train, please read our Train Guide in Vietnam.

Routes

Destinations

Family Express serves the following destinations in Vietnam:

Northern Vietnam

Hanoi–Lao Cai railway

The Hanoi–Lao Cai railway line connects Hanoi and Lao Cai, in the Northwestern Mountains of Vietnam. Trains depart from Hanoi Railway Station and return from Lao Cai Railway Station.

book your train to Lao Cai

Train routes to Lao Cai

Change policy

The following change terms apply to the train fares:

Family Express Train Change time/date
Fare Sleeper 2-Berth (Private cabin) Permitted
Fare Sleeper 4-Berth (Shared cabin) Permitted

If you wish to change your booking with Family Express Train, please Contact Us. This option is available until 96 hours before departure, after that time please contact directly with Family Express Train. Change fees will apply.

No change for tickets on public holidays.


Cancellation policy

The following cancellation terms apply to the train fares:

Family Express Train Cancellation before departure
Fare Sleeper 2-Berth (Private cabin) Permitted with fees
Fare Sleeper 4-Berth (Shared cabin) Permitted with fees

If you wish to cancel your booking with Family Express Train, kindly manage your booking and request a cancellation to proceed with the refund. This option is available until 5 days before departure.

Service fees will not be refunded. Cancellation fees will apply.

- 20% of the ticket fare + 50,000 VND per ticket if the ticket has been issued
- 30% of the ticket fare + 50,000 VND per ticket if 16 to 30 days to departure
- 50% of the ticket fare + 50,000 VND per ticket if 5 to 15 days to departure
- No refund if less than 5 days to departure or departure on public holiday


Reviews

Based on 15 reviews of customers.
Excellent 02 February 2026

Coach #13 is abit privacy. Each side has its own toilet so you can take your time to use it. The cabin is clean. For honeymooners like me, just pay extra for peaceful of mind Nor  

Excellent 02 January 2026

train departed on time and we have a very comfortable sleep throughout the night, the complimentary snacks are amazing, as we are sharing one toilet with the whole carriage, the condition of the toilet really depend on our luck, 20 minutes upon arrival we have our morning call by the coffee lady and we are able to get ready in time Yuen  

Good 21 April 2025

I was surprised that this train did not have a hot food cart coming through the cars, and even the snack carts didn't come often enough, but otherwise the journey was smooth! Mary  

Good 30 March 2025

At the train station english speaking personnel welcomed me and explained the process. They also sold tickets for the bus transfer from Lao Cai to Sapa . Good process in Lao Cai. The handling of the luggage in the bus was rather experimental as seats were used to store the luggage and customers helped to secure safe handling for transfer. Antje  

Good 01 February 2025

Voyage agréable Claudine  

Excellent 14 January 2025

Comfy clean & cute. Loved the experience & slept well. Cara  

Poor 03 November 2024

Toilet is bad. Water in the toilet bowl splash due to train ride. Bowl draining is slow and imposibble to use the toilet . Mohd  





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