ALL ABOARD FOR VICTORIA EXPRESS

The inaugural journey of the brand new Victoria Express took place in May with a group of 40 Vietnam-based tour operators, journalists and travel writers on board. Consisting of two completely refurbished sleeping carriages and a restaurant car the Victoria Express offers a level of comfort for rail travel never before experienced in Vietnam. Each sleeping carriage has five 'superior' compartments of four berths and two 'deluxe' compartments with two beds, making a maximum capacity of 24 passengers per carriage. All compartments are air- conditioned, and as you would expect from Victoria, very tastefully furnished with classic wood-paneled walls, Vietnamese raw silk soft furnishings, individual reading lights and ample storage space for luggage. At the end of each carriage are spotless bathroom facilities that would not look out of place in a 5-star hotel room! The restaurant carriage is divided into ten 4-seat dining compartments with extremely soft, comfortable seating and table lamps for romantic dining. The tiny kitchen at the end of the restaurant carriage miraculously turns out delicious Vietnamese and Western meals served by charming Victoria staff dressed in their colourful, trademark ethnic minority waistcoats.

The corner bar is well-stocked with a full selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including some excellent French wines. There are currently three departures a week leaving Hanoi on Monday and Wednesday at 10.00pm and Friday at 9.30pm. The return journey from Lao Cai leaves at 10.10am on Tuesday and Thursday and 6.45pm on Sundays. The Victoria Express carriages, can also be privately chartered on request. There is no doubt that Sapa has always been one of Vietnam's most attractive destinations but in the past the uncomfortable rail journey has deterred many would be visitors but now with the Victoria Express the old saying that getting there is half the fun definitely rings true.

 IN BRIEF