In this post
What is Hanoi’s Train Street?
The famous “Train Street” is a stretch of railway track that cuts through part of Hanoi’s old quarter. Locals use it as a thoroughfare; tourists, as one of the capital’s must-see spots. Its popularity exploded with the rise of social media platforms like Instagram.
Visiting Train Street is one of Hanoi’s best-known experiences: a stretch of railway line running through several residential areas of the city. The visit basically consists of walking along the tracks, taking dozens of photos and settling into one of the nearby cafés to await the main event: the arrival of the train.
History of Hanoi’s Train Street
The capital’s complex railway network has one singular feature: the train crosses a large part of the city itself.
A train running past the front doors of houses in the old quarter might sound like a nuisance for the neighbors — but in a society like Vietnam’s, people quickly learned to turn it into an advantage, and the residents of Hanoi are the perfect example.
The houses in this area were built right at the edge of the track. When the train passes, the space is so tight that it seems to literally glide past the residents’ noses. Originally, these homes belonged to Hanoi’s poorest residents who, lacking other means, had no choice but to live with the train practically at their doorstep, with all the inconveniences that entails.
Originally, these were the homes of some of Hanoi’s humblest residents, who couldn’t afford to live anywhere else and had no option but to live with the train at their door, with all the inconveniences that came with it.
Viajar por Vietnam
The change began when one neighbor decided to open a café on the ground floor of their house — a very common move in Vietnam. It was an instant success, quickly copied by other residents along the tracks, turning the area into one of Hanoi’s most visited tourist spots. Visitors came to take photos and then enjoy a drink at the cafés, away from the capital’s noise and traffic.
The train’s arrival: quite a spectacle on Hanoi Train Street
The street’s climactic moment, if we can call it that, comes — how could it not — with the arrival of the train.
That’s when hundreds of tourists crowd into the cafés to watch the event and film the moment. Café owners start pulling chairs off the street, while a municipal officer takes care of warning the more careless visitors and keeping them safe from a nasty scare.
Hanoi Train Street restricts tourist access
Given how often this scene repeated — several times a day, every day of the year — the authorities decided that prevention beats cure. They insisted that an incident involving a foreign tourist could bring serious problems, something that, sooner or later, was bound to happen.
At the end of 2019, the Vietnamese government banned tourist access to the tracks for safety reasons. As of today (January 2026), access has partially reopened and the street can be visited again — though there are checkpoints at the entrances, and visits are subject to restrictions or temporary closures for safety reasons.
Even under restrictions, you can generally get in through any of the area’s cafés. As you approach, café touts will come up and invite you in for a drink inside the street.
Where is Hanoi’s Train Street?
The first thing to know is that there are two different sections of Train Street.
- The classic, most visited section — the “Train Street” proper — runs between Lý Nam Đế and Phùng Hưng streets, almost at the point where both cross Trần Phú street.
Getting there is easy given its central location — if you’re in the area, the best plan is simply to walk. From other districts of the city, take a Grab or a taxi.
- The new section of Train Street in Hanoi, which is quickly gaining popularity among visitors.
This stretch, still open and visitable, is located on the south side of the main train station, specifically by Ngõ 222 Lê Duẩn — rather than east of the city like the original section everyone used to visit.
As in the original section, there are plenty of cafés where you can sit with a drink while you wait for the train. One of our favorites is “Hanoi 1990“, but practically any of them makes a good spot to spend a while on this stretch of the capital’s railway.
Here’s the map with the exact location of both sections so you can find them easily.
Hanoi Train Street: train schedule
As of January 2026, access to Train Street is possible through any of its checkpoints (subject to possible temporary restrictions), mainly as long as you’re heading to one of its cafés.
As you approach the street, several café touts will invite you in for a drink — and of course, you can use the visit to take a few photos and catch the train’s arrival.
In any case, there are still a few spots at the intersections with nearby streets where you can watch from outside as the train rolls into the city — without the thrill and the risk of before, but the train all the same.
Frequently asked questions and tips for visiting Hanoi’s Train Street
Here are the most common questions about visiting the famous Train Street.
Is Hanoi’s Train Street still open to tourists?
Direct access to the original section of Train Street runs through checkpoints and is subject to possible temporary restrictions — due to overcrowding, among other reasons. If you run into restrictions, the easiest way in is through the café owners and touts, who will walk you past the checkpoint as their guests.
Alternatively, head to the section south of the station at Ngõ 222 Lê Duẩn.
What time does the train pass through Hanoi’s Train Street?
Keep in mind that the train times aren’t 100% fixed — both frequency and timing can shift due to delays and other factors. Still, here are the reference schedules.
Depending on which section you visit, the train passes at different times — here they all are.
| Section | Days | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Old Quarter | Monday to Friday | 19:00 · 19:45 · 20:30 · 22:00 |
| Old Quarter | Saturday and Sunday | 09:15 · 11:20 · 15:20 · 17:30 · 18:00 · 19:00 · 19:45 · 20:30 · 21:00 · 23:00 |
| Lê Duẩn | Daily | 15:30 · 19:30 |
Is Train Street dangerous?
Generally no — but it can be if you ignore the staff’s instructions and the basic rules. The train stops for no one, whether you’re on the tracks or off them.
- Whenever possible, enter through an authorized café (especially on the Old Quarter stretch).
- Arrive a bit early (30–45 minutes before the train) so you can settle in calmly.
- Photos and videos are fine, but the train passes within centimeters of houses, chairs and people — don’t be reckless, and follow the café owners’ or security staff’s instructions to the letter.
- Respect the residents — remember this is a residential neighborhood, not a theme park. And while you’re there, have a coffee and support the local businesses.
✔️ Information reviewed and last updated on January 7, 2026
