Hanoi's Train Street - A Complete Guide

Visit Hanoi's Train Street nestled in the Old Quarter of Hanoi for a rush of adrenaline as the train rushes by just inches away from you!

Hanoi's Train Street, in the Kham Thien, Le Duan, Phung Hung neighborhood of Hanoi, is an ancient street with a railroad track running through. This is a unique and famous destination that both domestic and international tourists eagerly talk about and visit for a unique experience.

Hanoi's Train Street once appeared on the DailyMail UK in April 2014. Since then, this location has become a "hot" check-point for visitors of Hanoi.

On TripAdvisor, Hanoi's Train Street is ranked second among 107 interesting attractions in Hanoi. Tourists, whether visiting during the day or night, have incredibly interesting experiences awaiting the moment when the train rushes by just inches away from them. If you have ever read famous writer Thach Lam's work "Hai dua tre" (The two children), you will likely experience the suspense and excitement waiting for the train like the children did in the story.

A bit of history

The story of the surprising Train Street in Hanoi begins in the 1930s. At that time, Vietnam was part of Indochina, a French colony. The French colonists were completing the construction of a railway line connecting the north and south of present-day Vietnam, which was then the trans-Indochina railway.

Today, the railway line still exists and trains still traverse the country. The Hanoi's Train Street is only one section of the long railway. It is a very narrow path with a railway track where trains pass by just inches away from houses and shop fronts.

In some streets of the Old Quarter, house doorsteps dangerously border the railway that goes through this neighborhood on its way to the Long Bien Bridge.

The train and railway back then

The “Heritage Journey” from Hanoi train station to Gia Lam train station

From 11/07/2023 to 11/26/2023, Vietnam Railways organized two train journeys named "Heritage Journey" from Hanoi station to Gia Lam train station, with a ticket price of 20,000 per trip.

The "Heritage Journey" is an activity within the framework of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023. The program includes art exhibitions and a 10-minute train journey from Long Bien station to the Gia Lam station, an industrial heritage of the capital. From Gia Lam station, tourists can walk to the Gia Lam Locomotive Factory, where the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 is held. Here, they can explore various architectural structures and the steam locomotive engine named "Tu Luc," an iconic symbol of the railway industry.

The Gia Lam Locomotive Factory was established in 1905 and has nearly 120 years of history. Many young people, after experiencing the train journey from Hanoi to Gia Lam, described it as a "journey back in time".

Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 - Source: Nhân Dân

If you’re interested, read more about the opening of Hang Dau Water Tower within the frameworks of Hanoi Creative Festival 2023: Hanoi Water Tower Opens To Visitors For The First Time

Where To Find Hanoi's Train Street?

Hanoi's Train Street starts at Hanoi Train Station, but you need to go to Nguyen Khuyen Street to see it. You can stop at No.10 Nguyen Khuyen Street and follow the railway northeast. If you want to get close to the bustling Train Street, begin your journey from No.10 Dien Bien Phu Street. Then follow the railway until you see houses on one side; that's when you'll reach Phung Hung Street. From there, I recommend you go down the main street and continue until you see beautiful murals, which is an Instagram-worthy spot.

From Dien Bien Phu Street, you can see cafes on both sides of the railway, and I highly recommend ordering a cup of egg coffee or a beer can to enjoy while waiting for the train. Some coffee shops display not just their menu but also the train schedule.

Phung Hung Street

Visit Hanoi’s Train Street

Hanoi's Train Street - A nostalgic beauty

Returning to the history of Hanoi's Train Street, the single-track railway that runs through the streets of the Old Quarter has existed since the 20th century. For many years, the railway has traversed the capital, quietly blending with the rhythm of the city.

What attracts travelers is that this railway is situated in the middle of and cuts through residential neighborhoods. Even more surprising is that the space between the tracks and the houses is remarkably narrow, just a few steps wide. It is so close that it seems to be able to swallow up the surrounding houses. However, it’s what makes this street so special, I would say. This part of Hanoi has a fascinating architecture made up of new and old houses. If it helps, imagine a beautifully vibrant vintage picture with modern elements here and there.

The life on the sides of Hanoi's Train Street

More than 10 trains pass by every day, with the trains being only about 1-2 meters away from houses and people. As a result, getting around is rather challenging because the streets in this "railway neighborhood" are only wide enough for pedestrians or motorcycles; cars cannot access them.

Residents have spent their entire lives on Hanoi's Train Street and have become familiar with the confined space and the noise and vibrations of passing trains. When there aren't any trains, residents carry out tasks such as drying clothes, washing dishes, cooking, or chatting with neighbors—mainly outdoors and on the railway tracks.

However, they know the train schedules by heart. When the train whistle goes off, life instantly retreats from the tracks to make way for the convoy that brushes past everyone and their houses. That's why, even though it may seem very dangerous, the number of accidents on Hanoi's Train Street is quite low.

For those who have the chance to stroll along Hanoi's Train Street, you may witness local elderly people playing chess, women preparing vegetables for their meals, and children running around or chatting with their neighbors to hear their life stories.

The lives of locals beside the train tracks

Must-try cafes on Hanoi Train Street

The coffee tables found on Hanoi's Train Street are often arranged in a way to create a stunning view of the street, allowing visitors to savor their drink while observing daily life unfold around them, each sip of coffee is accompanied by the distant rumble of the approaching train. The cheerful discussions among customers create a special harmony with the mounting excitement. Anticipating the event, coffee shop owners invite their customers to gently move their cups and prepare for the train's arrival.

Each customer, cup in hand, eagerly awaits the unique moment of the train passing by, a multisensory experience offered by Hanoi's Train Street and nowhere else in the world.

Cafes on Hanoi's Train Street

Here are some recommended cafes in Hanoi's Train Street:

1. Spot 09 - No. 09 Duong Tau Street, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

2. Coffee 74 - No. 74 Duong Tau Street, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

3. 30 Train Coffee - No. 159 Duong Tau Street, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

4. MER café - No. 48 Duong Tau Street, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

5. Laika Cafe - 18 Hang Cot Street, Hang Ma, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

6. Hảo Hảo Coffee - No. 80 Duong Tau Street, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Hanoi's Train Street Schedule

It's best to be well-informed about the train schedule passing through Hanoi's Train Street to capture the best photos and experiences.

Monday to Friday: 6:00 AM, 7:00 PM, and 7:20 PM

Saturday and Sunday: 9:15 AM, 11:35 AM, 3:20 PM, 5:45 PM, 6:40 PM, 7:10 PM

Note: Please listen to the people giving directions when the train arrives. Stand close to the wall, behind the red line on the ground, and do not hold your phone or camera too far from your body for your safety. You can stand on the ground or go to the second floor of Tram Coffee. They have built an upper floor for visitors to watch the train from above.

In reality, the schedule is not fixed, and a delay of 15 minutes is usually expected. Therefore, it's better to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time to secure a good viewpoint. You should arrive 30 minutes earlier to choose a café to enjoy while waiting. You can take photos of the railway and houses before the train arrives. Be sure to follow the guard's instructions to ensure railway safety.

The train viewed from the balcony of a cafe

In summary, Hanoi's Train Street is a must-visit site when exploring the capital of Hanoi, thanks to its rustic yet modern beauty. Above all, the Vietnamese government is making every effort to build an interesting and safe place for those seeking beautiful experiences here. When undertaking this visit, travelers must adhere to safety guidelines for a serene journey. So, if you plan to make the most of your visit to Hanoi, make sure to include this attractive destination on your list.

Read more:

=> Vietnam Travel By Train

=> Travel From Hanoi To Hue By Train

=> Discovery of Hanoi - The Capital of Vietnam