You’ve seen the pictures and the videos online, Hanoi Train Street is undoubtedly one of the most famous attractions in Hanoi.
What is it about being so close to danger and something that’s so uniquely uncommon for most tourists to see that makes the Hanoi street train a must-see in Vietnam?
We visited Hanoi Train Street twice during our month in Hanoi and were accompanied there by my cousin who has lived in Hanoi for 3 years - so we felt pretty confident in how to get to Hanoi train street, what the Hanoi train street times were and how to get onto the tracks and pick the best cafe spot.
However it can be SUPER CONFUSING.
I’ve already shared a bunch of Hanoi train street tips on Instagram but I get so many questions about it that I’m putting together this guide so hopefully everyone has the info they need before this trip.
I will try to keep this updated as much as possible but please know that the Vietnamese authorities have been trying to close train street for a few years now and it could close at short notice - often without any notice at all! However there are other spots along the line that I can also share with you in this guide.
A quick note: obviously this activity can be dangerous when the rules are not followed. Please don’t put yourself or others at risk with reckless behaviour. This is a unique place to visit which can be enjoyed from the safety of the cafe on the side of the track.
Hanoi Train Street, Vietnam
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The Hanoi Train Street Schedule 2024
The number one question is always about the Hanoi train street train times.
There is a “set schedule” however like many things in Vietnam, they change, can be delayed or there’s extra train times which aren’t published.
For this reason, when you visit, I recommend asking one of the shopcafe owners when the next train is. Often they know if there are any additional trains coming through that aren’t on the official schedule.
We did this and ended up seeing another train about 20 minutes later but most people had left because they weren’t expecting another train for over an hour.
I took a picture of the schedule that’s currently posted on one of the train street Hanoi cafes and the times are shared below.
Note that there are mostly only evening trains during the week. In winter this might mean it’s dark already when you visit. If you want to see Hanoi train street in daylight, one of the weekend days is your best chance.
Current Hanoi train street timings:
Monday - Friday
7pm, 7.45pm, 8.45pm, 9.30pm, 10pm
Saturday and Sunday:
8.30am, 9.30am, 11.30am, 3.20pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 6pm, 7.20pm, 7.45pm, 8.45pm, 9.15pm
Like I said above, ask cafe owners when the next train is so you can find out if there’s any change to the schedule or additional trains coming that aren’t on the schedule.
These times are applicable to this train street location only. If you visit either of the other locations I list below, you will need to add or remove 10 minutes from the Hanoi street train times depending on if you are north or south of this location.
Train Street in Hanoi with a train passing through
Is Train Street Hanoi open?
If you look online you’ll see a variety of news articles saying that train street is closed, reopened, closed, reopened and you night be wondering - is Hanoi train street closed?!
The authorities closed Hanoi train street in 2019 over safety concerns, then the world shut down and borders closed so the train street became unmonitored so it sort of reopened to locals, expats and tourists staying in Vietnam.
Since the reopening of borders, tourists have flocked to this street and there are over 30 Vietnamese coffee shops that line the street - many locals depend on tourists coming to train street for their livelihood and are keen to keep train street open.
However authorities have tried repeatedly to revoke business licences and block access to the section of street - with limited success. This came to a head in 2022 when a tourist was hit by a passing train and the area was temporarily closed.
Currently Hanoi train street is open, however the main entrance onto the tracks from the rail crossing on the road is blocked and guarded, you can only access it by being a patron of one of the cafes and you will need to get an owner to take you there - I share how below.
Bustling Hanoi Train Street at night
Where is train street in Hanoi?
The famous train street Hanoi can be entered at this point here on Google Maps.
If you’re not using Google Maps, it’s located at the rail crossing on P. Tran Phu street in the Hoan Kiem area of Hanoi.
From here you take the side streets with a cafe owner to get to one of the coffee shops. The main tracks will have a barrier and a guard so you cannot just walk onto the tracks.
If you visit and train street is properly closed to all tourists, there are a few alternative Hanoi train street locations further down the track that you can also try visiting:
Location 1. This area just past Hanoi Train station - Google Maps location
Location 2. This area has a few coffee shops along the track and is unregulated - Google Maps location
Location 3. For something more regulated, further north above the old quarter is this train station cafe with great views of the tracks - Hoa Xa Cafe
If you any of these alternative Hanoi train streets, bear in mind that the times I’ve given above are for the main location. If you go to location 2, the Hanoi train street timing will be around 10 minutes after the times I gave on the above train street Hanoi times 2024 - give or take a few minutes depending on if the train stops at Hanoi Train Station which is between locations 1 and 2.
Dusk at train street
Train street after the train - far less people still around
How to get to train street Hanoi?
The easiest way to get to Hanoi train street (and all over the city!) is to take a Grab taxi.
Grab is like Uber in Southeast Asia and in Vietnam, they are so cheap! You can get a 30 minute ride for £10.
Our taxi from the Hanoi Old Quarter to Hanoi train street took around 15 minutes and cost around £4/$5.
If you’re travelling alone and are comfortable riding bikes, a Grab bike will be even cheaper.
Hanoi Train Street
How to get onto Hanoi Train Street and reach the cafes?
Now here’s the part of visiting the Hanoi Train street location that trips a few people up.
When you get to this location to visit the Hanoi Train Street, it looks like it’s closed (we thought it was at first) - there is a barrier across the tracks and a guard who aggressively blocks access to anyone who tries to walk onto the tracks.
However if you hang around this area, you will be approached by some locals who ask if you want to come to their cafe on train street - you need to go with one of them. (You can approach and ask a few locals to help you if no one immediately approaches you but they usually hang around the main road area, especially when a train is due). They will take you down the side alleyways that run alongside train street and lead out into the cafes that open onto the tracks.
These shopcafes are how locals in the area earn a living and once you’re there, you’ll need to buy a drink from them, it’s very cheap, we paid 30,000 VND (£1) for a beer and 30,000 again for a soft drink.
Once you’re in a cafe, you don’t need to stay, you can move around on train street or go to a different cafe if another one takes your fancy. And you can stay for as long as you like - just follow the instructions from cafe owners when they ask you to take a seat when the train is approaching - your safety is their business too.
Me sitting at one of the cafes on Hanoi Train Street
The best Hanoi train street cafe
Honestly I wouldn’t say there’s one “best cafe” on Hanoi train street and if you just want to see the train pass through then there are loads of great options.
If you are going to take pictures though, I would suggest picking a cafe on the right hand side of the track (as you look at it from the road entrance) as the track curves to the left, so this allows you to see the train coming from further away as it comes around the curve.
On our first trip we sat at a cafe around this location on the map which was great to see the curve of the track (I think it was called May Cafe).
When we went back at night to see train street, we sat further up around this cafe location which was great to see the lanterns hanging from the taller buildings all lit up at night as the train came through. We also went up onto one of the terraces for a view of the tracks from above.
Popular cafes at this location include:
Spot 09 Cafe
Hao Hao coffee
Railway Tuan Cafe
Indochina Station Cafe
But there are literally dozens to choose from - if you get there late just grab any space!
Popular cafes at the alternative Hanoi train street location include:
Hanoi 1990s cafe
Nam Vy Coffee
65 Railway coffee
Exploring before the train arrives
This is how closely the train passes to you!
Hanoi Train Street tour options
If you would prefer to visit Hanoi train street as part of a guided tour, there are a few options, including photography tours.
This popular GetYourGuide tour combines a food tour with a visit to train street, a great option to guarantee you’ll see a train pass through!
This Hanoi Train Street food tour covers the Old Quarter and Train Street Hanoi.
This Hanoi hidden gems tour covers Train Street and some of the lesser known spots in Hanoi.
A great walking tour option with Viator.
This is a similar Hanoi train street and food tour combined, like the option above, but with Viator instead of GetYourGuide.
Hanoi train street: night or day?
Honestly this really depends on what you want to go for, photography or nightlife? Are you going as a family or with friends or solo?
I loved Hanoi train street during the day for photography, however I also loved Hanoi train street at night for the nightlife vibe. I was there with friends and my partner and we had a few beers overlooking the tracks. I’d say night time felt more casual - like going for drinks at a really cool, unique location and it was fun to see the area lit up with lanterns and bright colourful lights as the train came through.
However I was glad I’d already been during the day the week before to capture the Hanoi train street photos that I’d been desperate to see.
I’d say if you’re apprehensive or with young children, during the day is probably better as the guard is there and safety is more focused on. During the evening, I didn’t see the guard there and obviously more people were drinking around the tracks. While I didn’t see anyone behaving stupidly on either occasion that I visited, I know it’s more likely to happen if there’s drink involved!
Here are my pictures of train street during the day and train street Hanoi night time!
Train Street at night
One of the upstairs bars along Hanoi train street at night
During the day
Hanoi Train Street during the daytime
What’s the history of Hanoi train street?
If you’re interested in more information about Hanoi train street then one of the tours I mentioned above is a great option.
Vietnam’s railways were built by the French when Vietnam was under French colonial rule. The railways are around 100 years old and since that time, cities have expanded around these railways, with residential areas engulfing the tracks like this one in Hanoi.
Summary: everything you need to know about the train street, Hanoi
I hope this Hanoi train street guide has given you all the tips and information you need to know to visit Hanoi train street. Including Hanoi train street times in 2024, how to get there and the alternative street train Hanoi spots if this one is closed (again!)
Enjoy your visit, please be safe - remember no amount of reckless behaviour is worth it for an instagram photo, don’t put yourself or others at risk and just enjoy the experience!
