Hanoi Train Street Guide 2025 (How to Visit + Timetable)
Hanoi Train Street is a one-of-a-kind and popular tourist attraction in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Travelers worldwide flock to this place to witness a truly unique sight: a train running right through the middle of narrow streets. This spectacle has become a social media sensation, with countless cool videos and photos going viral.
This blog post will share a comprehensive guide to visiting Hanoi Train Street. We’ll cover its history, reveal train timetables, and suggest some cool things to see and do in the area.
Where is Hanoi Train Street Located?
Hanoi’s railway system is extensive, but two streets in the Old Quarter are particularly famous for their train tracks.
The first line runs between Kham Thien and Le Duan Street, located next to the Hanoi Train Station.
The second railway lies between Phung Hung and Tran Phu Streets, deeper within the Old Quarter.
Pin these addresses on Google Maps to visit the train street:
- 224 Lê Duẩn St, Khâm Thiên, Đống Đa, Hà Nội
- 5 Trần Phú St, Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
- Along Phùng Hưng St
History of Hanoi Train Street
Constructed in 1902 by the French, the Hanoi Train remains an active railway line until now. Initially, it served as a means of transporting goods and passengers between Hanoi and various provinces within Vietnam.
Over time, as the city expanded and developed, the tracks stayed in their original location, surrounded by newly constructed buildings and houses. Today, the train continues tooperate, carrying both goods and passengers to and from the city.
Since the Hanoi Train Street went viral on social media, it has created more opportunities for locals to earn income by running coffee or souvenir shops.
Many cafés with train-themed decorations and eye-catching lights have begun to emerge, serving as perfect places for hanging out, taking photos, and enjoying coffee and local foods.
Why is Hanoi Train Street so Popular?
The main reason behind the Hanoi Train Street’s popularity is the thrilling experience it offers visitors. Witnessing the train pass just one meter from their seats is truly captivating.
What makes it unique is the juxtaposition of a railway track running right through the middle of a narrow street lined with local businesses and houses. The street is so narrow that there’s only enough space for a train to pass through.
As the train approaches, vendors quickly pack up their wares and retreat to the sides of the track. Then, as the train passes through, they swiftly return to their spots and resume selling. This scene perfectly captures the essence of Hanoi’s vibrant street life and draws tourists from around the globe.
Due to the large number of tourists, the train has to slow down whenever it passes by the train street, causing some delays. To prevent potential safety issues between the train and visitors, local authorities stopped people from visiting the train street in September 2022.
Source: vnexpress
It has since been partly reopened to welcome tourists in 2023.
Hanoi Train Street Schedule
Please note that train schedules differ between the two train tracks. Below is the updated Hanoi train timetable for 2025:
| Hanoi Train Street Schedule Updates for 2025 | ||
| Train Tracks | Day | Time |
| Phung Hung Train Street | Monday – Friday Weekend | 8h30 AM, 9h30 AM, 11h50 AM, 3h15 PM, 7h50 PM, 9h15 PM, 9h30 PM, 10 PM 6 AM, 7h15 AM, 9h30 AM, 11h50 AM, 3h30 PM, 5h30 PM, 7h30 PM, 7h50 PM, 9h15 PM, 9h30 PM, 10 PM. |
| Le Duan Train Street | Monday – Sunday | 6h10 AM, 11h40 AM, 3h30 PM, 6.00 PM, 7h10 PM, 7h50 PM, 9 PM |
Additionally, train schedules vary throughout the year. Typically, trains depart on time, but a 15-minute delay is common.
It’s highly recommended that you arrive at the train street 30 minutes earlier than the expected schedule. While you wait for the train, you can find a nice coffee shop with a good spot to take photos and videos.
Here are some of the cool coffee shops worth checking out on Train Street:
- Railway Cafe: 112 Alley 05 Tran Phu Street
- Hanoi 1990s TrainStreet: 222 Lê Duẩn Street
- 65 Railway Coffee: 65 Alley 224 Lê Duẩn
- Coffee No 09 Railway: 142 Lê Duẩn Street
What to See and Do in Hanoi Train Street
Of course, many people visit the train street in Hanoi solely to watch the train pass through. However, there are many other activities you can combine with a visit to the Hanoi train street to make it more enjoyable.
Hanoi Food Tour with Hanoi Train Street
Picture this: you’re exploring the incredible street food and local culture of Hanoi, and you end your day by witnessing the unique train scene in the Old Quarter. What an amazing experience!
Our Hanoi food tour will take you on a journey to savor some of Hanoi’s most iconic dishes, including Pho, Bun Cha, Banh Mi, and Vietnamese pancakes with cultural background explained.
The highlight of the tour is learning how to make the famous Egg Coffee, and we’ll provide you with a detailed recipe so you can recreate it at home.
Hanoi City Tour With Hanoi Train Street
In addition to the culinary tour, combining the train street with visits to iconic city landmarks, such as the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, and Hoan Kiem Lake, delving into the city’s thousand-year-old history is another excellent option.
Phoebe and Besties offers a private tour with a tailor-made itinerary and knowledgeable local guides that allow you to enjoy Hanoi to the fullest in the most accommodating way.
People Watching and Souvenirs Hauls
People-watching on the Hanoi train street is more enjoyable than you might think. In particular, it offers a sense of immersion into local lives.
Everything is vibrant, from the nearby households and street vendors to the cyclo guides, the enticing aromas of food and coffee wafting from the shops, and even the tourists bustling about to capture good photographs. The entire experience is simply surreal.
You can also pick up some souvenirs for your family and friends. How about a magnet, a T-shirt featuring the Hanoi railway tracks, Vietnamese coffee, and a coffee filter?
Insider Tips for a Nice Hanoi Train Street Experience
These insider tips from Phoebe and Besties will help you prepare for and have a better experience when visiting the train streets in Hanoi.
- Check the train schedule and arrive at the train street 30 minutes in advance to find a good photo spot.
- Keep an eye out for warning signs of approaching trains and move to a designated walking path or safe area when you see them—safety first!
- To ensure the privacy and comfort of the locals, refrain from entering or sitting in front of their homes along the Hanoi train streets without prior permission.
- Avoid wearing high heels, as they might get stuck in the train tracks, which is very dangerous. Sandals, sports shoes, or flip-flops are okay.
- Most people sit near the train tracks to capture the train passing through, but they don’t know that sitting on the coffee shop balcony will offer you a broader angle and is much safer.
- Try wearing a Vietnamese hat (Nón Lá) for impressive photo effects.
Hanoi Train Street Recap
Don’t miss the unique train street experience that you can only find in Hanoi!
This guide provides all the details you need to know about Hanoi train street, including the address, train timetable, nice cafés to check out, and recommended activities.
If you want a local guide to show you around, don’t hesitate to contact us. As local travel experts, Phoebe and Besties will provide you with the best Vietnam experiences.
Any questions on this topic or suggestions for future articles are welcome in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hanoi Train Street Dangerous?
Despite safety concerns, such as the close proximity of the trains to the buildings and the lack of a barrier between the tracks and pedestrians, there have been no reported accidents involving tourists on Hanoi Train Street. As long as you take safety precautions, such as staying inside when you hear the horn and avoiding wearing high heels, it is a safe place to visit.
Is the train street in Hanoi banned?
In 2019, the local authorities announced a plan to ban Train Street due to safety concerns. The ban was set to go into effect in October 2019. As of now, Hanoi Train Street remains open to visitors, but the future of this unique attraction is uncertain.
How often do trains come down train street in Hanoi?
Every day of the week, trains travel along the train street. The busiest times on the street are from 11 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., as trains pass by frequently during these periods.
