A new highway has opened between Hanoi and Lao Cai. 280km that can be driven in about 3 hours. Sapa and Bac Ha are now within a shorter reach from Hanoi.

Handspan decided to use this highway to return back to Hanoi after our tours in those mountainous regions. We keep using the night train from Hanoi to Lao Cai as the early morning arrival time is convenient to start exploring the Hoan Lien Son or Song Chay mountains right away. However coming back to Hanoi by train made people wait at the train station of Lao Cai to arrive in Hanoi in the middle of the night with nowhere to go to rest or eat.

By taking the bus directly from Sapa to Hanoi, there is no more time wasted waiting for departure, and you arrive in Hanoi at 10.00pm, early enough to make sure you have a good night before the rest of your tour. The buses we use are equipped large comfortable seats and offer a wifi connection.

It also enables us to offer better rates for those tours. Check them out.