Updated October 2026
Vietnam Railways has added the SP15/SP16 passenger train to the Hanoi to Lao Cai line from October 2026, bringing the route to 3 regular train pairs every day. The SP15 train leaves Hanoi Station at 21:45 and arrives at Lao Cai Station at 05:20 the next morning. With the same timetable change, all 3 train pairs on the Hanoi to Lao Cai line now stop at only 8 stations. Hanoi to Lao Cai train tickets are on sale at Vexere, an authorized agent of Vietnam Railways, with fares from 209.000VND.
When does the SP15/SP16 Hanoi to Lao Cai train start running?
The SP15/SP16 train pair started running on 10 October 2026, according to Lao Cai Newspaper. The first SP15 train from Hanoi arrived at Lao Cai Station on the morning of 11 October 2026 with 205 passengers, most of them international travelers. Some other newspapers report 12 October 2026 as the start date, so travelers should check the timetable for their exact travel date when booking.
Before the SP15/SP16 train was added, the Hanoi to Lao Cai line ran 2 passenger train pairs, SP3/SP4 and SP7/SP8. The SP3/SP4 and SP7/SP8 trains still run on almost the same timetable, with only small changes to some stop times. Vietnam Railways says the third train pair meets growing travel demand and supports tourism to Lao Cai and Sa Pa.
Hanoi to Lao Cai train schedule: 3 daily train pairs
All 3 train pairs on the Hanoi to Lao Cai line run overnight, with a journey time of about 7 hours 25 minutes to 7 hours 50 minutes. The only daytime service is the SP8 train from Lao Cai to Hanoi.
Hanoi to Lao Cai train times
| Train | Departs Hanoi Station | Arrives Lao Cai Station | Journey time |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP15 (new) | 21:45 | 05:20 next morning | About 7h 35m |
| SP3 | 22:00 | 05:50 next morning | About 7h 50m |
| SP7 | 22:40 | 06:27 next morning | About 7h 47m |
Lao Cai to Hanoi train times
| Train | Departs Lao Cai Station | Arrives Hanoi Station | Journey time |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP8 (daytime) | 12:05 | 19:30 same day | About 7h 25m |
| SP16 (new) | 21:25 | 05:15 next morning | About 7h 50m |
| SP4 | 21:50 | 05:40 next morning | About 7h 50m |
Source: Nhan Dan and Xay Dung newspapers, October 2026. Vietnam Railways may adjust train times.
The SP15 train is the earliest departure from Hanoi Station and also the earliest arrival in Lao Cai, at 05:20. Travelers taking the Hanoi to Sapa train on SP15 have more time to reach Sa Pa and start sightseeing in the morning. The SP7 train leaves Hanoi Station last, at 22:40, which suits travelers who finish work late.
On the return trip, the SP16 train leaves Lao Cai Station at 21:25 and reaches Hanoi at 05:15, about 25 minutes earlier than the SP4 train. Travelers who want a full last day in Sa Pa can take the SP16 or SP4 night train. Travelers who prefer not to sleep on board can take the SP8 day train, which leaves Lao Cai Station at 12:05 and arrives in Hanoi at 19:30.
8 stops on the Hanoi to Lao Cai line
From the October 2026 timetable change, Vietnam Railways has reduced the number of passenger stops on the Hanoi to Lao Cai line. The SP3/SP4, SP7/SP8 and SP15/SP16 trains pick up and drop off passengers at these 8 stations:
- Hanoi Station
- Gia Lam Station
- Yen Vien Station
- Phuc Yen Station
- Yen Bai Station
- Bao Ha Station
- Pho Lu Station
- Lao Cai Station
Phu Tho Station is not on the list of 8 stations above. At Phu Tho Station, only the SP8 train from Lao Cai to Hanoi stops for passengers.
Fewer stops mean fewer interruptions on the overnight journey, which suits travelers going directly from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Passengers boarding at smaller stations on the line should check their boarding station before booking.
Hanoi to Lao Cai train ticket prices (updated 10/2026)
Vexere sells tickets for all 3 train pairs on the Hanoi to Lao Cai line, including SP15/SP16, SP3/SP4 and SP7/SP8. Hanoi to Lao Cai train tickets on Vexere start from 490.000VND, and Lao Cai to Hanoi tickets start from 209.000VND on the SP8 day train.
| Route | Trains | Fares from |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi to Lao Cai | SP15, SP3, SP7 | 490.000VND |
| Lao Cai to Hanoi | SP8, SP16, SP4 | 209.000VND |
Fares are for reference only and may change by travel date, passenger type and seat or berth position. Prices surveyed on Vexere for October 2026 trains.
The Hanoi to Lao Cai line is popular with tourists, so night trains often sell out early on weekends and holidays. When searching on Vexere, travelers only see trains that still have seats or berths available on the selected date. If the SP15, SP3 or SP7 train does not appear, travelers can try another date or book further in advance.
Children, seniors and students get discounted fares under Vietnam Railways rules. The discount is applied automatically when travelers select the passenger type during booking.
Lao Cai Station served over 328,000 passengers in the first 9 months of 2026
In the first 9 months of 2026, Lao Cai Station served 328,433 boarding and arriving passengers, up nearly 27.1% from the same period in 2025. The figures were released by the railway transport unit in Lao Cai.
| Lao Cai Station (first 9 months of 2026) | Passengers | Change vs same period 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding passengers | 132,800 | Up nearly 29.8% |
| Arriving passengers | 195,633 | Up nearly 25.3% |
| Total boarding and arriving | 328,433 | Up nearly 27.1% |
Lao Cai Station had about 62,800 more arriving passengers than boarding passengers. The gap suggests that many travelers take the train to Lao Cai and return by another mode of transport. The new SP15/SP16 train gives travelers more departure times and makes it easier for tour operators to plan Lao Cai and Sa Pa tours.
Besides regular carriages, Vietnam Railways also works with travel companies to run some premium tourist carriages on the Hanoi to Lao Cai line.
How to get from Lao Cai Station to Sa Pa
Lao Cai Station is about 35 km from Sa Pa town, which takes about 1 hour by road. According to Xay Dung Newspaper, the shuttle from Lao Cai Station to Sa Pa costs 60.000VND per trip and drops off within 2 km of the Sa Pa Stone Church. Travelers arriving at Lao Cai Station on the SP15 train at 05:20 can reach Sa Pa early in the morning. Train times and fares for the full trip are on the Hanoi to Sapa train page on Vexere.
How to book Hanoi to Lao Cai train tickets on Vexere
Travelers can book Hanoi to Lao Cai train tickets on Vexere in 5 steps:
- Go to the Vietnam train tickets page on Vexere or open the Vexere app.
- Select Hanoi Station as the departure station, Lao Cai Station as the arrival station, and your travel date.
- Choose the train that fits your preferred departure time.
- View the coach map and pick an available seat or sleeper berth.
- Enter passenger details and pay.
After payment, Vexere sends the e-ticket by email and text message. Travelers show the e-ticket and a valid ID or passport when boarding. Vexere supports online ticket changes and cancellations 24/7, without a trip to the station.
FAQ about the Hanoi to Lao Cai train
How many trains run between Hanoi and Lao Cai each day? The Hanoi to Lao Cai railway line has 3 regular passenger train pairs every day from October 2026: SP3/SP4, SP7/SP8 and the new SP15/SP16.
What time does the SP15 train leave Hanoi for Lao Cai? The SP15 train leaves Hanoi Station at 21:45 and arrives at Lao Cai Station at 05:20 the next morning, a journey of about 7 hours 35 minutes.
What time does the SP16 train leave Lao Cai for Hanoi? The SP16 train leaves Lao Cai Station at 21:25 and arrives at Hanoi Station at 05:15 the next morning, a journey of about 7 hours 50 minutes.
Which stations do Hanoi to Lao Cai trains stop at? From October 2026, Hanoi to Lao Cai trains stop at 8 stations: Hanoi, Gia Lam, Yen Vien, Phuc Yen, Yen Bai, Bao Ha, Pho Lu and Lao Cai. Phu Tho Station is served only by the SP8 train.
Is there a daytime train from Lao Cai to Hanoi? Yes. The SP8 train leaves Lao Cai Station at 12:05 and arrives at Hanoi Station at 19:30 the same day. SP8 train tickets on Vexere start from 209.000VND.
How much is a Hanoi to Lao Cai train ticket? Hanoi to Lao Cai train tickets on Vexere start from 490.000VND, and Lao Cai to Hanoi tickets start from 209.000VND (updated October 2026). Fares vary by train, seat or berth type, and travel date.
Summary
The Hanoi to Lao Cai railway line has 3 daily passenger train pairs from October 2026, after Vietnam Railways added the SP15/SP16 train. The SP15 train leaves Hanoi at 21:45 and arrives in Lao Cai at 05:20, while the SP16 train leaves Lao Cai at 21:25 and arrives in Hanoi at 05:15. All 3 train pairs stop at 8 stations, and Phu Tho Station is served only by the SP8 train. Travelers going to Sa Pa can book the Hanoi to Sapa train, and other travelers can book Hanoi to Lao Cai train tickets or Lao Cai to Hanoi train tickets on Vexere.
