*Written in June 2019 and updated in Feb 2024
When we were researching things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam, Train Street kept showing up on lists, I didn’t understand what a train street was. Now that we’ve been (multiple times), I wanted to share more about it for those also wondering this and give you the tips we learned.
In the years since we visited, there has been a bit of a crack-down on the restaurants and bars, but I’ll dive into that below in more detail. It’s a unique experience worth exploring if you’re visiting Hanoi.
Train Street in Hanoi: What, Where, When?
Background on Train Street
When the Hanoi Train Station opened in 1902, they built the tracks through barren sections of the city. As the population grew, houses were built closer and closer. Many of the families who moved into these homes worked on the railway. Now, there are hundreds of homes that sit along these tracks. Some have opened their doors to invite visitors and tourists to watch the train pass inches from the front walls of the building.
This article was the best piece I found on Train Street and the people living here. It may be one of the most popular spots to take a selfie, but it’s also important to understand more about the circumstances.
Pick Your Train Street Location
We tried two different spots. The Old Quarter location was a lot busier, but there were many spots to grab a seat. It’s definitely the more popular destination, and many tours move through here.
I would recommend heading to the quieter spot, you can find it by googling the “Hanoi Train Track Cafe.” They get fewer visitors there, so you will have a great spot no matter what. We bought a beer from a family who were just hanging out on their lower level with a few outside tables. It felt very welcoming compared to the other spot.
If you can, check out both and decide which is your favorite.
Buy Something
Make sure to support the families that live on this street. They are making the best of a very loud and tough situation. Having trains blow by your home a few times a day is hard, but being able to make some money from tourists is one positive. Beers, coffees, or snacks – whatever you feel like.
Once you have your refreshments, you might even get the chance to pet a puppy.
Listen to the Residents
The trains aren’t always exactly on time, so just sit in your chair and enjoy your beverage of choice. The people who live on the lane know the signals. When that train is coming, they will rush through and grab all the chairs, tables, and items and quickly move them out of the way. They will tell you where to stand and even help you get the best pictures. Do not ignore their instructions. A train is about to come barreling through and you don’t want to cause problems.
Have Your Camera Ready
The train does not come through slowly, so take your phone out and take a picture or a video. On our second visit, we just enjoyed it with our eyeballs on one visit, and I would recommend that to everyone. We did share a video on our Vietnam Instagram highlights here.
Watch Everything Return to Normal
The train passes through, and within two minutes, everything on the block looks completely back to normal. It’s fascinating to watch. The chairs go back out, you sit back down, and you enjoy the drinks. It’s such an odd scene, and it’s hard to believe what just happened.
Grab Your Souvenir
If you go to the location that is further south, you may get lucky and get a souvenir. The kind man who invited us to sit at his place put the caps from our beers on the tracks. We weren’t sure what he was doing at first, but he grabbed them and then helped us find them flattened when the train had passed. It’s one of the few souvenirs that fit in my passport case.
Prepare for the Next Train
You can’t see it just once. I would recommend going around 7:00 PM. There are a few trains each way that pass by in the 7:00-8:00 PM hour. If you are just trying to get a picture for Instagram – the morning might be better with fewer people.
Final Thoughts on Hanoi’s Train Street
Train Street was one of our favorite outings in Hanoi. I’ve never seen anything like it. It makes sense why it’s such a popular thing to do in Hanoi. Let me know if you’ve been there or if you want to add it to your list of things to do in life.
Read our other favorite Hanoi destinations and our favorite places for coffee & snacks in Hanoi.
