Street Train Hanoi is one of the most famous and adventurous tourist spots in Hanoi. It is hidden in one of the narrow streets at the back of Hanoi’s high narrow houses, surrounded by closely packed families’ backyards where the railways pass a few times per day.
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The Hanoi Train Street is commonly known as a section that spans approximately 100 meters in length, boasting the narrowest dimensions, despite the train traversing a substantial portion of the city.
It was unexpected for us to be so close to trust. When the train is coming, you should not cross the line that is marked with a safety line (colored yellow) and is only about 20 centimeters away. The reason why the train literally passes a meter away from the houses is because of this reason. This is why it is so interesting for tourists.
Since there was no action, all the people have already started fleeing out and traversing the railway tracks. Those who fail to enter the houses tightly embrace the walls, and we were among them. Nothing should be left outdoors. It’s a thrilling location to explore because just before the arrival of the train, the locals hurriedly retreat into their homes, ensuring the safety of their children, pets, motorcycles, and any other possessions inside.


Enjoy a cup of coffee with flair
After a local woman opened a shop in Hanoi in late 2017, it quickly became one of the most popular spots in the city. This unusual event not only ensured that tourists could safely explore the many cafes and other attractions along the tourist tracks, but also brought in business for everyone.
You can choose a spot upstairs where you can get a higher perspective of the passing train, or you can sit just a meter away from the tracks. The cafes here are full of colorful decorations, various types of paintings, art, and flowers. Some of the cute cafes we visited in Vietnam are located here.


We assume that many others feel the same way :D. That’s the reason why we selected this coffee shop out of all the alternatives. This particular family also had a multitude of adorable little puppies that quickly became our closest companions. The proprietor is incredibly kind and ensured that we had a fantastic vantage point to observe the passing train. Additionally, we were treated to complimentary snacks and small mandarins! Both were incredibly delicious! We settled in at Coffee 74 and savored a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a refreshing coconut coffee.



Another cafe we would recommend is Cafe Railway. The owner, a really nice Italian guy, is someone we spoke with. Here, you can completely get a different perspective of the passing train from this broader area. We were already tired of waiting for one-fourth of the time, and we have already seen three trains pass. However, if it’s still open and you know how to go, please let us know! 😀


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Can tourists visit Hanoi Train Street?
Only those in prime locations were left along the railway tracks, and only a handful decided to reopen their establishments due to the absence of tourists. Nevertheless, businesses and cafes were permitted to resume operations amidst a global pandemic starting from the beginning of 2021.
Note: This is not the only interesting part of Hanoi’s train tracks, as they run through a big part of the city.
You can explore the other areas during the Hanoi On The Tracks Photo Tour.




We explored the Hanoi Train Street on two separate occasions, once on a weekday and once on the weekend.
We were honestly disappointed with the atmosphere and couldn’t hype up this place. There was nobody around, everything was closed, and the street was dead during the weekday.
However, it was truly worth the experience! Furthermore, we had the opportunity to witness the passage of three trains. The ambiance was fantastic, and the cafes were operating. In the vicinity, the locals were socializing, and there were even genuine tourists present. We opted to visit during the early morning of the weekend and made the decision to give it another try.
We truly hope to find a way to keep one of Hanoi’s most unique attractions open. We would honestly be very sad if Train Street were to forever close.
What led to the closure of Hanoi Train street?
So far, there have been no incidents involving tourists at the location. According to our knowledge, the train had to unexpectedly halt in order to prevent any accidents with tourists, which ultimately led to the prohibition. The previous issues faced by the railway operators resulted in the ban on tourist visits starting from October 2019. Hanoi’s Train Street, known as Vietnam’s most perilous yet remarkably renowned road, remains unchanged.
In the end, this is a symbol of Hanoi, so let’s pray they will discover a solution to resolve this issue. However, we believe this won’t be the scenario moving forward. As we committed to not crossing the yellow line (indicating the protected area), we somehow persuaded them to allow us to remain at the entrance of a residence during our visit. The owners of the café ensured that all individuals were away from the railway tracks prior to the arrival of the train. The presence of numerous tourists clearly illustrates why the location was initially closed.


How to reach the train street in Hanoi
5 Tran Phu is the precise position. The Old Quarter of Hanoi is directly adjacent to Phung Hung and Ly Nam De streets, where the railway street is situated.
Additionally, you can witness this site on a Food Tour that includes a trip to Hanoi Train Street.
When to go
We suggest visiting early in the morning when the light is best and one can catch the first glimpse. It was an ideal time for us as the day was passing throughout, even early in the morning and during the weekends. However, when we visited the train on a weekday, the train was passing at night and the street was completely deserted. Therefore, we suggest the opposite, to avoid the crowds and usually suggest visiting even on weekdays.


The train timetables will definitely undergo alterations. Additionally, the circumstances could vary upon the reopening of the country. Nevertheless, please remember that our visit took place during the country’s closure.
Does Hanoi’s train street have a fee for entry?
Exploring the train street in Hanoi does not require any admission fee, and people are welcome to freely walk along the railway tracks without any limitations.
Duration of stay at Hanoi’s train street
If you simply desire to have a brief glimpse of the location, a duration of 20 – 30 minutes will suffice.
If you want to witness the train passing multiple times and enjoy a cup of coffee during your visit, expect to spend approximately 1 – 2 hours at the location.



What do you think of Hanoi’s Train Street?Is it as interesting to you as it is to us?
Let us know if you visit and if it was open!
To experience a little more of the ambiance of the train street, take a look at our video on YouTube.