Destination Introduction
Century-Old Railway Life
Hanoi Train Street, located in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Vietnam, is a unique 500-meter railway track running through a residential area. This narrow track is flanked by densely packed houses, some as close as 2 meters to the rails. Each day, as trains pass, residents swiftly clear tables, chairs, and items from the tracks, resuming daily life once the train has gone.
Cultural Landscape Formation
Built in 1902 during French colonial times, the track is part of the Hanoi–Haiphong railway. Over the past century, as Hanoi expanded, residential areas enveloped the once-suburban tracks, creating this distinctive scene of trains passing through homes. This unique community phenomenon gained global attention after tourists shared photos online in 2015.
Access Restrictions Update
Due to safety concerns and surging tourist numbers, Hanoi authorities have implemented restrictions. Currently, Train Street operates under a "café permit" system, requiring visitors to purchase a drink at a trackside café to access the railway area. Café owners ensure visitor safety and provide train arrival times.
Train Schedule
Daily Passages: 3–6 trains (fewer on weekends)
Main Times: 6:00 AM, 3:20 PM, 6:40 PM (times may vary slightly)
Confirm in Advance: Check with café owners for the day’s exact schedule
My First Encounter
At 7 AM, I wandered through Hanoi’s alleys to find Train Street. Turning a corner, I entered a surreal scene: a narrow track slicing through houses just meters apart, with elders sipping coffee on doorsteps and kids playing on the rails. I settled at Café Ga 42, ordered a Vietnamese coffee, and sat on a low stool by the tracks. The owner, Liem, shared his family’s three-generation history living alongside the railway. Suddenly, a bell rang—train approaching! Under the owner’s urgent direction, all items were cleared from the tracks in 5 seconds. As the train roared past, just half a meter from the walls, I felt the wind and vibrations. This thrilling, unrepeatable moment became my most vivid Vietnam memory.
Travel Guide
Practical Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 7:00 AM–7:00 PM | Access requires café purchase |
| Best Time to Visit | 30 minutes before train arrival | Mornings have fewer crowds |
| Location | Old Quarter, between Trần Phú and Lê Duẩn Streets |
| Transportation | Walk/Grab motorbike | Nearest bus stop: Hanoi Cathedral |
| Cost | Café drinks 20,000–50,000 VND (¥6–15) |
Visiting Tips
Choosing a Café: Café Ga 59 (north end) is ideal for watching trains arrive.
Photography Tips: Scout curve spots for the best angles.
Timing: Arrive 40 minutes early to secure a spot.
Recommended Cafés
Cafe Ga 59 · Best Train Views
The Railway · Instagram Hotspot
Bếp Nhà Ga · Traditional Family-Style Coffee
Café Owner’s Insider Tips
Cafés often mark their spots with colorful plastic stools; those near curves offer the best photo angles. Order a Vietnamese iced coffee (phin) for an authentic experience, costing no more than 30,000 VND (≈¥9). Menus are provided, but prices are negotiable—1–2 drinks suffice for groups. Fifteen minutes before a train arrives, café staff guide you to clear movable items to a safe distance. The 10 minutes after a train passes are ideal for photography, with quiet, empty tracks.
Travel Experience
Thrilling Moment of Train Passing
Daily Life on the Tracks
Golden Sunset at Train Street
Must-Try Activities
- Trackside Café: Sip Vietnamese drip coffee beside the rails.
- Train Moment: Feel the thrill of a train passing just meters away.
- Photography: Capture the harmony of residents and railway life.
- Local Interaction: Hear railway stories from local elders.
- Night Visit: Experience Train Street’s unique vibe under different lighting.
Collective Ritual of Train Time
At 3 PM, sitting at Ga 59 Café, the air was filled with coffee aroma and chatter. Suddenly, the manager rang a metal pipe, sparking a flurry: plastic stools were stacked, tables cleared, and residents hung curtains by windows. I grabbed my camera and retreated to the designated safety zone; within 3 minutes, the tracks were clear.
A distant whistle announced the train, which roared through the narrow alley like a dragon, passing less than half a meter from me! The gust of wind and dust, along with the slight tremble of the ground, was exhilarating. As the last carriage passed, cheers and applause erupted, as if we’d shared an adventure. Life resumed instantly: stools returned, coffee was refilled, and kids played again. This seamless shift between danger and calm showcased a miraculous harmony of life and space.
Tips and Notes
Safety First
- Access to the tracks requires a café purchase.
- Avoid earphones to stay alert for train warnings.
- Strictly supervise children; no playing on tracks.
- Tripods and drones are prohibited.
- Continuous bells signal an approaching train.
Cultural Etiquette
- Respect privacy; don’t photograph inside homes without permission.
- Consume only at cafés to avoid disrupting local businesses.
- Take all trash with you to keep the area clean.
- Avoid sitting or eating outside café zones.
Preparation Tips
Check the latest access policies: subject to sudden changes.
Bring small-denomination cash (VND): most places are cash-only.
Wear lightweight shoes and hats: gravel tracks can be tricky.
Carry rain gear: tracks are slippery in rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Current access status:
- Requires purchase at a licensed trackside café.
- Minimum cost: 1 drink (20,000–50,000 VND).
- No unauthorized entry to track areas outside cafés.
- Time restrictions: Typically 7:00 AM–7:00 PM (seasonal adjustments).
Photography regulations:
- Drones are banned (illegal and hazardous to trains).
- Tripods and large equipment are prohibited (obstruct emergency paths).
- No photography on tracks during train arrivals (highly dangerous).
- No photos inside residents’ homes (privacy protection).
- Some areas prohibit video recording.
Safety procedures:
- Secure belongings immediately upon hearing bells.
- Follow café staff to designated safety zones.
- In emergencies, seek shelter in the nearest café.
- Never attempt “dangerous selfies” on the tracks.
- Hold small items (hats, cameras) tightly during train passage.
Top shooting locations:
- Curve Areas: Capture the train’s graceful curve.
- Second-Floor Terraces: Some cafés offer elevated viewpoints.
- Train Front View: Choose corner cafés for head-on shots.
- Resident Scenes: Photograph harmonious railway life from safe spots.
- Post-Train Window: Use the 10-minute quiet period for empty track shots.
Local Cuisine
Traditional Vietnamese Drip Coffee
Train Street Signature Noodle Soup
Vietnamese Bánh Mì Sandwich
Train Street Must-Try Dishes
- Vietnamese Iced Coffee: Drip coffee with condensed milk and ice.
- Egg Coffee: Hanoi specialty with a creamy, custard-like texture.
- Train Street Noodle Soup: Freshly cooked pho from local stalls.
- Grilled Rice Paper: Crispy rice paper with dipping sauce, prepared on-site.
- Vietnamese Bánh Mì: Locally adapted French-style sandwich.
Nearby Dining Recommendations
| Restaurant Name | Distance | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Pho 10 Lý Quốc Sư | 850 m | Hanoi’s best beef pho |
| Bánh Mì 25 | 650 m | Creative bánh mì sandwiches |
| Giang Cafe | 600 m | Legendary café that invented egg coffee |
| Bún Chả Đắc Kim | 1.2 km | Grilled pork noodle shop visited by Obama |
Egg Coffee Experience
At a Train Street café called “Coffee Track,” I tried Hanoi’s iconic egg coffee. The owner, Ngoc, placed coffee grounds in a traditional phin filter over a cup, and while the coffee dripped, she whipped egg yolk and condensed milk into a creamy froth. Once the coffee was ready, she layered the froth atop it. The first sip was like tasting coffee-flavored custard, with warm, creamy foam over rich, hot coffee. Ngoc explained this was a 1946 invention born from a milk shortage. The faint ripples in the froth from the train’s vibrations made this the most unique coffee experience I’ve ever had.
Accommodation Recommendations
| Hotel Name | Distance | Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotte Hotel Hanoi | 7-min walk | High-rise city views | ¥800–1600/night |
| Essence Hanoi Hotel | 5-min walk | Colonial-style design | ¥400–800/night |
| Train Street Homestay | Right by the tracks | Authentic experience | ¥200–500/night |
| La Siesta Hotel | 10-min walk | Rooftop pool | ¥700–1200/night |
| Hanoi Family Homestay | 8-min walk | Family atmosphere | ¥150–300/night |
Accommodation Tips
Prioritize Old Quarter stays: Train Street is within walking distance.
If sensitive to noise: Avoid rooms directly facing the tracks.
Choose hotels with rooftop terraces: Offers views over Train Street.
Staying at a Trackside Homestay
For an immersive experience, I stayed at Linh’s trackside homestay. The 10-square-meter room had a window right by the railway. At dusk, I sipped beer on the tiny balcony, chatting with neighbors across the tracks. The first midnight train at 1 AM startled me awake, but by the third night, I slept through the noise. At 5:30 AM, a train passed through the morning mist, an unforgettable sight. Linh’s family served breakfast at 6 AM, setting up a table on the tracks for pho bo (beef noodle soup) amid the rails’ creaking vibrations. After the train, neighborhood kids drew hopscotch grids on the tracks. This rhythm of life intertwined with the railway was magical and profound, far beyond a typical travel experience.
Recommended Itineraries
Hanoi Old Quarter One-Day Tour
Morning: Train Street (3hr) → St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Lunch: Pho 10 beef pho
Afternoon: 36 Streets shopping → Hoan Kiem Lake
Evening: Water puppet show → Beer Street
Hanoi In-Depth Cultural Three-Day Tour
Day 1: Train Street → Temple of Literature → Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Residence
Day 2: Ba Dinh Square → Vietnam Women’s Museum → Hanoi French Colonial Quarter
Day 3: Bat Trang Ceramic Village → West Lake → Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
Train-Themed Exploration Route
Hanoi Train Street → Long Bien Bridge → Hanoi Railway Station
Hanoi–Haiphong Train Experience (2.5 hours)
Hanoi Old Quarter One-Day Tour
Hanoi In-Depth Cultural Tour
Train-Themed Exploration Tour
Train-Themed Exploration Day
My railway-themed day began at Train Street, arriving at 9 AM for the 10:05 AM train. After the train passed, I headed to Long Bien Bridge—Vietnam’s oldest iron bridge (1902). Walking across, I watched a train pass below, heart-pounding. Lunch at Pho Co Railway Café offered a view of crisscrossing tracks. In the afternoon, I visited Hanoi Railway Station to learn about its colonial architecture. Then, I rode the Hanoi Loop Line, a 2-hour non-touristy train journey weaving through the city’s backstreets and markets. This route revealed Hanoi’s authentic railway life, ending with residents inviting me to join their trackside dinner at dusk—a perfect close to an unforgettable day.