Hanoi Train Street – All You Need to Know to Visit in 2025

Hanoi Train Street was one of those places we’d seen in photos for years, and honestly, we weren’t sure what to expect when we finally visited.

We stopped by one afternoon, grabbed a coffee at one of the tiny cafés along the tracks, and watched as life unfolded around us.

Kids were playing, locals were chatting on their doorsteps, and then suddenly people cleared the tracks in seconds as the train was approaching.

It was such a surreal and unforgettable moment — one of those “only in Vietnam” experiences that deserves a spot on your Vietnam itinerary.

In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know to plan your visit, from the best time to catch the train to where to find the quieter, less crowded sections of the street.

What is Hanoi Train Street & why visit

Hanoi Train Street is a narrow railway track running through a small residential neighborhood in the heart of Hanoi, just minutes from the Old Quarter.

What makes it so unique is how close the trains pass — with only inches between the train and the cafés, homes, and parked motorbikes lining the track. Watching the train pass reminded me of a similar experience at Mae Klong Railway Market in Thailand.

It started as just another part of daily life for locals, but after photos and videos went viral, it quickly became a must-visit attraction.

Today, it’s one of the most unique experiences in Hanoi — part adrenaline rush, part cultural snapshot — and an incredible spot for photography.

Where is it & Different Locations

Finding it is easy as long as you know where to look. Before our visit, we didn’t realize there are actually two different locations where you can watch the train pass through the narrow streets.

Each spot has its pros and cons, so here’s what you need to know to decide which one works best for you.

Hanoi Train Street 1 – the main one

The first option is just north of the main railway station, a short walk from the Old Quarter. Its central location makes it super convenient to reach, but also much more popular. Expect crowds, especially during peak times.

If you want a calmer experience, go early in the morning or catch one of the later trains in the evening when there are fewer people around. You can enter this section of the track along Phung Hung Street or Tran Phu Street.

Hanoi Train Street 2 – Le Duan

The second option is located a bit south of the railway station, between Kam Tien and Le Duan Streets. It’s slightly farther from the Old Quarter, but still easy to reach by foot or a short Grab ride.

For some reason, this section is often overlooked—both by tourists and by police. We decided to visit this one and ended up having an amazing, relaxed experience without the heavy crowds.

Which one to visit

The short answer is Le Duan.

The two locations offer very different experiences, so it’s worth knowing what to expect before you go.

The main section (near the Old Quarter) is the one that became famous — and the one that’s been officially closed multiple times since 2019. These days, it remains partially restricted, with barricades and police sometimes guarding the entrances.

While you can still get in, it usually involves being directed by café owners into their shops, and you’re often required to buy a drink to stay. It feels a lot more touristy, sometimes a bit pushy, and honestly, less relaxed.

That’s why we chose the second location at Le Duan, and we’re glad we did. It felt much calmer and more authentic. There were just a few cafés with genuinely friendly owners, no barricades, and no pressure to buy anything.

We wandered around, took our time with photos, and eventually picked a café we liked to sit and watch the trains go by. It was a completely different vibe — quiet, welcoming, and stress-free.

Getting to Hanoi Train Street

The easiest way to reach Hanoi Train Street is by taxi or motorbike taxi. We used the Grab app for our return trip, and it worked perfectly — fast, cheap, and hassle-free.

If you go by taxi, make sure to clearly tell the driver which location you’re heading to — the main section near the Old Quarter or the quieter Le Duan Street — to avoid confusion.

Local buses are also an option, and Google Maps will show you the best connections and transfer points if you want to save some money.

We actually decided to walk from the Old Quarter on our visit to Le Duan Street, passing Hoan Kiem Lake on the way. It took around 30 minutes, and it was a nice way to take in the city before the excitement of seeing the train pass by.

Best organized tours

Once you arrive in Hanoi, you’ll stumble upon countless organized tours and transport services offered on every corner. Especially if you’re strolling around the touristy Old Quarter. Because of this, it won’t be hard to find a tour to join.

We also recommend booking a one-day tour to Ninh Binh if it’s not already a part of your itinerary. The beautiful area is often called Ha Long on land thanks to its marvelous mountains.

Is it open in 2025?

If you’ve done some research, you’re probably just as confused as we were when planning our visit. Some blogs say it’s closed, others say it’s open — and honestly, the truth is somewhere in between.

The government has been trying to permanently shut down Hanoi Train Street for safety reasons for years, but keeping tourists away from such a unique attraction has proven almost impossible.

Many of the tiny cafés along the tracks rely heavily on visitors, so they do everything they can to keep the street alive.

Here’s what it looks like right now in 2025:

• The Le Duan section (the quieter second location) is fully open, with no restrictions.
• The main section near the Old Quarter is partially closed. The main entrances are blocked and sometimes guarded by police, but you can still visit if a café owner escorts you.

Train Schedule (2025 Update)

Figuring out exactly when the train passes Hanoi Train Street is, honestly, the trickiest part of planning your visit. The schedule changes frequently, and many of the trains are long-distance routes that can be delayed — sometimes by quite a bit.

Here are the approximate passing times for 2025:

09:15, 11:20, 11:45, 15:20, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, 19:45, 20:30, 21:15

But don’t rely 100% on this list.

On our visit, we planned our timing based on what we found online, but the schedule posted by the café owners along the tracks was completely different. We ended up waiting longer than expected — which, honestly, wasn’t so bad with a coffee in hand.

After the first train passed, a friendly café owner told us to stick around because another train from Ho Chi Minh City was running late. Sure enough, a few minutes later, it came barreling down the tracks — totally worth the wait.

For the most accurate information, ask a local café owner when you arrive or check at your hotel. Most of the trains passing through are heading to or from Sapa, Hai Phong, the China border (Nanning), or Ho Chi Minh City, so you can try your luck online..

Best cafes to go to

The main Hanoi Train Street

• Railway Café – Claimed to be the original café that sparked the Train Street craze. Expect photo-friendly setups.
• ChuChu Railways – Bright and cheerful, this café is popular for photos and its colorful decor. A fun choice if you’re after those iconic shots.
• Coffee Chill 96 – A relaxed spot with a solid view of the tracks. Best for those who just want to hang back without anything too gimmicky.

Le Duan Train Street

• Hanoi 1990s – A favorite for many. Located in a great spot, run by kind owners, and known for good safety practices and atmosphere. It’s our top pick here.
• 65 Railway Coffee – An option noted for a quieter, more genuine experience. It’s tucked further down the track and wasn’t overcrowded.
• Hanoi Café (2-story balcony) – For a more elevated experience, this café gives you a balcony view, railway-themed décor, and even a splash of rice wine in your coffee.

When it comes to seasons, the best months to visit Hanoi Train Street are spring (March–April) or autumn (September–November), when the weather is mild and pleasant.

Summer tends to be hot, humid, and rainy, while winter can get surprisingly chilly — especially in the evenings.

If you can, avoid visiting on weekends. The crowds are much bigger, which makes it harder to enjoy the experience (and to grab a good seat at the cafés). But if the weekend is your only option, it’s still worth going — just expect a busier vibe.

Day or Night?

There’s really no single “best” time of day — both day and night offer completely different experiences. Ideally, if your schedule allows, try to experience both.

• Daytime – Expect more tourists and busier cafés, but the natural light is perfect for photography. It’s also easier to see the details of the houses and shops that line the tracks.
• Evening – We visited at night and loved the atmosphere. The cafés were glowing with lanterns and cozy lights, and the street felt much calmer. There were fewer tourists, and it was easier to find a good spot to sit and relax.

If you can, arrive a bit early — we came before the evening rush and had our pick of seats. It also gave us plenty of time to walk around, take photos, and order a coffee before the first train passed.

Background of Hanoi Train Street

Hanoi Train Street is part of the Reunification Line, the railway that connects Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. It dates back to the late 19th century, built during the French colonial era, and over time, as Hanoi expanded and space became limited, homes and small shops were built right up against the tracks.

For decades, this was simply part of daily life for the locals — trains would pass by a few times a day while people cooked, chatted, or even played on the tracks in between runs.

Things started to change when an entrepreneurial local woman opened the first café along the tracks, inviting visitors to watch the trains pass from her shop. It didn’t take long for the idea to take off.

Photos and videos of trains squeezing through the narrow street quickly went viral on social media, turning this quiet neighborhood into one of Hanoi’s most famous attractions, drawing hundreds of tourists every day.

Is Hanoi Train Street safe?

Yes — Hanoi Train Street is generally safe to visit, as long as you follow the basic safety rules and listen to the café owners when the train approaches. They’ve been doing this for years and know exactly when it’s time to clear the tracks.

The space between the train and the buildings is incredibly tight, so always stand well back when the train is coming and avoid stepping on the tracks for photos unless it’s safe to do so.

Where to stay in Hanoi

Final thoughts on Hanoi Train Street

Hanoi Train Street is one of those places that really lives up to the hype. There’s just something unforgettable about sipping coffee, hearing the whistle in the distance, and watching the entire street spring to life as the train rushes by.

If we were to visit again, we’d definitely choose the Le Duan section for its calmer, more local vibe. It felt authentic, relaxed, and gave us the chance to really enjoy the experience without the chaos of the main street.