Hi all. need some input if I need to prebook this train before I fly over to vietnam. some of the local agents have said it is high season now and I need to prepay but thought I wait till arrival for better price. We plan to be in Sapa next weekend. any info is much appreciated.
Thanks

I would book it and prepay asap...I did this last November and the train was sold out! I believe you also have to stay at the hotel to book the train. We managed to get a two berth cabin which was very comfortable!

If you definitely want the Victoria train then book it asap. however, there are a number of other "Victoria type carriages" run by other companies taht we saw that looke just as nice and you could probaly get seats on these locally.

On October 20, I got the following reply from reservations at victoriahotels-asia dot com:

<i>&gt; Please be informed that Victoria Express Train almost fully booked in November'06.</i>

Not sure what &quot;almost&quot; meant I learned over the next couple of days that the trains both ways were fully booked from Nov 6 thru 12.

It is high season now and you need to prebook. You will not get a better price if you wait.

Just as I hit Post My Reply I saw that you are planning to go next weekend! It's too late, I don't think you will get on the Victoria train. You could try the Tulico or other trains. Hopefully, the APECers haven't booked those out too.