Hanoi Train Street

Guide to Hanoi Train Street: location, timetable and railway cafés

What time is Hanoi train street? Where’s the train street in Hanoi? Or where’s the best spot to see therein passing? This guide covers everything you need to know about Hanoi’s famous Train Street, including practical tips. Yes, it’s still open and here is my thoughts on Hanoi Train Street in 2025

Over the past few years, travelers been talking way too much about the iconic train street in Hanoi. This unique street isn’t paved with asphalt but lined with train tracks. A few times a day, it shifts from a quiet walkway into an active railway as a train rumbles through, passing tightly packed houses on both sides.

Train Street has remained one of Hanoi’s top places to visit for years. It’s wild to think that simply watching a train pass has gained so much hype, but the thrill comes from how close it gets. Despite its popularity among tourists, the experience feels unique—sitting in a café just inches from the tracks, feeling the ground shake as the train roars through.

That’s why we consider Train Street one of Hanoi’s must-visit experiences.

Where is the Hanoi Train Street?

Hanoi’s railway system stretches across the capital city, but two streets in the Old Quarter stand out for their train tracks. Known as Train Street or Railway Street, it runs between following streets of Kham Thien and Le Duan or Phung Hung and Tran Phu. Houses line both sides, leaving barely enough room for the train to squeeze through.

Full map of Hanoi’s Train Street (North to South)

Both train streets create a unique atmosphere, featuring two-story cafés with authentic Vietnamese décor. If you’re planning a visit, here are some top recommendations to explore.

• Le Duan Train Street and Phung Hung Train Street sit in the Old Quarter, just 1.7 km from each other.

• Le Duan Train Street sits right at the entrance of Hanoi Train Station. The station is visible from the outside, with ticket checkpoints marking the entry points.

• Phung Hung street is the best place to see trains, this street lies deeper in the Old Quarter, near the vibrant murals of Phung Hung Mural Street.

Why hanoi train street is famous in vietnam

The Story Behind Hanoi’s Train Street

French colonists built the railway in 1902, cutting through the heart of Hanoi and linking the capital to the rest of Vietnam. Stretching 2,652 km from north to south, only two short sections—each just a few hundred meters long—offer the unique experience of sitting mere inches from the tracks.

What makes Train Street so fascinating is how it blends into daily life like any other Old Quarter street. Small shops, cafés, and homes line the tracks, where families go about their routines despite trains passing right through their front yards. Parents pull children aside, chickens and dogs scatter, and laundry sways on balconies as the train rumbles past.

For years, tourists have flocked to Train Street, but in 2017, a local saw an opportunity and opened a café. The idea took off, leading to a wave of coffee shops popping up along the tracks. That’s the story we’ve heard, and it explains why today, many of Train Street’s buildings have open-front cafés welcoming visitors.

• Check out Vietnam sleeper train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Can you still go to Train Street in Hanoi?

Yes, tourists still can freely visit the train street. Recent reports have mentioned closures of Hanoi Train Street over safety concerns. However, the street remains open, and visitors can still experience the thrill of watching the train pass through.

The train street used to close to visitors back in 2021 and then 2022 from where an officer stood at the railway crossing on Trần Phú Street, firmly turning tourists away. Barriers blocked access, leaving visitors wondering if visiting had become illegal or if the train no longer passed through.

Later, we learned that in September 2022, authorities shut down the most popular section near the Old Quarter. With crowds gathering dangerously close to the tracks for Instagram photos, officials deemed it too risky.

Now, Train Street isn’t permanently closed—restrictions apply at certain times, and only residents can move freely. However, tourists can still experience it by visiting one of the cafés, which retain permission to operate. The new measures seem aimed at curbing reckless behavior while allowing businesses to continue thriving.

Getting to Hanoi Train Street

Two short railway sections in central Hanoi (old quarter) offer the chance to sit in cafés just steps from the tracks. Both are known as Train Street, with one located north and the other south of Ga Hà Nội, the city’s main railway station.

Reaching Hanoi Train Street is simple. Hop on a taxi or motorbike taxi (called “xe ôm” or Grab Bike in Vietnam) to the Old Quarter, then walk or ask the driver to drop you at the entrance. Buses also stop near Le Duan, Tran Phu, and Phung Hung streets, making it easy to walk from there.

• Buses stop at Le Duan: 01, 03A, 08B, 08BCT, 11, 11CT, 32, 40, 40CT, 49

• Buses stop at Tran Phu: 01, 18, 36, 36 CT

• Buses stop at Phung Hung: 18

Train Street (North)

Train Street’s northern section runs through the Old Quarter, stretching between the main railway station and Long Bien Station. A row of cafés starts where the tracks cross Trần Phú Street and extends about 100 meters along Phùng Hưng Street. Be aware that the railway crossing closes at certain times, requiring alternative access routes.

Train Street (South)

The southern section of Train Street lies about a 25-minute walk from the Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem lake), running parallel to Lê Duẩn Street, just south of the main railway station. A 200-meter stretch is lined with cafés, and visitors can access the tracks from both ends.

Entrance to Train Street (North)

At certain times, especially on weekends and during the day, access to the northern section of Train Street is restricted. An officer stationed at Trần Phú Street allows only residents to pass the barricade. Meanwhile, at the T-junction on Phùng Hưng Street, café owners grant entry to visitors who agree to sit and order a drink by their establishments. This entrance is marked as ‘Train Street (North) – entrance’ on above Google Map.

Regardless of when or where you visit, no entrance fee is required, tran street is free to enter and no ticket is required. Inside Train Street, you can explore freely, but it’s important to respect the locals. If they ask you to step off the tracks, follow their instructions, especially during restricted periods. The café owners at the T-junction can be particularly eager in inviting guests.

A hidden entrance

We discovered a back way into the northern section of Train Street, allowing us to move in and out without restrictions despite the main entrance being blocked. This access point runs through a bike shop on Trần Phú Street, just a few meters from the barricade where an officer stands guard. Watch for the Eisenbahn Kaffe sign (see photo here) as a reference. After entering, follow a narrow corridor that opens up to two cafés—Ga Đông Dương and Eisenbahn Kaffe.

Map of Hanoi Train Street in Phung Hung and Tran Phu Street.
Length: ~ 600m

Map of Hanoi Train Street in Kham Thien and Le Duan Street.
Length: ~ 250 m

Which Train Street is the best?

From a photographer’s perspective, the curved tracks in the northern section create a unique visual appeal. However, the more relaxed atmosphere and fewer restrictions in the southern area offer their own charm, especially when the city lights up after dark.

The northern part of the Train Street stands out as the most well-known due to its proximity to the Old Quarter. Many say the first café in the area opened here years ago. Today, cafés line both levels of the buildings, adorned with colorful lanterns, signs, and flower boxes, creating a charming yet tourist-heavy vibe. In contrast, the southern section has a more open view of the tracks, though artificial grass-covered platforms slightly alter the original setting.

During the day, tour guides now bring their groups to Train Street (south). Visitors can walk along the tracks at any time without restrictions. This area has fewer cafés than Train Street (north), all situated at street level. Many buildings still house local residents, giving the street a more authentic feel—aside from the artificial grass selfie spots on the rails.

Train Street (north side) is turns out to be the best by many travelers, offering two completely different experiences in the morning and evening. In the early hours, the street felt calm and local, with tourists restricted from walking on the tracks. By evening, the barricade disappeared, turning Train Street into a lively bar scene packed with tourists gathered along the rails.

Hanoi train street schedule

No matter which Train Street you visit, checking the schedule beforehand is wise if you want to see the train pass through. There has been rumors all the time that trains doesn’t run as frequently as before. You can find the schedule at local cafés, where owners are happy to share the day’s expected train times.

Arrive at least 15-20 minutes early to to find a seat at a cafe.

When I write this article in Feb 2025, a café on Train Street (north) displayed the schedule below. Surprisingly, the train not only arrived on time, but another one followed 10 minutes later, unlisted on the timetable. A pleasant surprise and proof that the schedule can be a bit unpredictable!

Travel Tip: The timetable bellow comes from Train Street (north) in Feb 2025. Others have mentioned that train schedules change between summer and winter. Additionally, the listed times only apply to passenger trains. Freight trains pass through at various times throughout the day, so expect more trains than the schedule indicates.

Tourist trap at Train Street

Visiting the Train Street in Hanoi means you are going to see a tourist place, some locals might try to make quick cash off tourists. Café owners, especially near the barrier, can be quite pushy. Some claim you need to pay them an entrance fee (No Entrance ticket Required at ALL) or insist that the only way to enter is by visiting their café.

Bike drivers, on the other hand, take a different approach. They’ll tell you, “The train no longer runs through Train Street, but I can take you to a spot where you can see it.” That spot is Long Bien Station, which the train also passes on its route. It’s just a way to sell you a ride.

Rickshaw ride to Long Bien Bridge

Since you are nearby, I advice you to visit the historic Long Bien bridge, one of the iconic sites of Hanoi, we decided to take a rickshaw (Called Cyclo by Vietnamese) for the experience. It’s a fun and unique way to navigate Hanoi’s traffic. The direct ride from Train Street to Long Bien Station takes about 10 minutes, with drivers typically charging VND 300,000–400,000 (less than USD2 )

What Cafe Should You Choose?

The train street of Hanoi, now a famous and a very touristy place, is lined with train-themed cafés, each offering a variety of drinks, juice and refreshing smoothies and beer along with cozy seating, and unique stories connected to the neighborhood’s railway culture. Some have a deep history rooted in the area, making them more than just a place to grab a drink. We certainly not going to name and or introduce any of them since all of them look similar and offer the same drink. Just find where you feel it will be nice and enjoy the moment.

Is Hanoi Train Street Safe?

Here is a question everyone might be asking, Is Phung Hung Train Train Street Safe? This, might look risky at first, with trains passing just inches from homes. However, it’s safe if you are sitting at one of the cafes. Locals have lived here for generations and know exactly how to navigate around the trains. When you hear an announcement or a train, step into a secure spot and enjoy the unique experience responsibly.

Is Hanoi train street still open?

The Train Street has faced periodic closures in recent years due to safety concerns, but it remains open to visitors. Tourists can still experience the fun of watching trains pass through the narrow street. To help keep it accessible for future visitors, it’s crucial to follow safety rules and respect the local community.

Visitors generally show great awareness and respect while exploring the area. In return, locals do their best to welcome guests, provide guidance, and ensure everyone clears the tracks safely before a train arrives.

Things to know when visiting Train Street of Hanoi

• Hanoi Train Street stretches just 200 meters, with houses tightly packed on both sides. Along the tracks, several cafés provide excellent views of passing trains while serving popular Hanoi dishes and drinks.

• Since the train schedule can change, checking ahead is always a good idea.

• Despite its popularity, this remains a residential neighborhood where locals go about their daily routines. Show respect by keeping a distance from private homes and asking permission before taking photos.

• Following safety guidelines and staying aware of your surroundings will make your visit a safe one. The street is still open to visitors, but being mindful of the community and environment will help keep it that way.