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24/03/2023
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Hanoi train street was an Insta-famous site when it was still open for tourists (Source: Collected)
1. Hanoi train street at a glance
Hanoi train street used to be one of the most renowned tourist destinations in the capital. It is a tiny, winding street tucked away in one of Hanoi’s back streets, surrounded by tightly clustered, tall, narrow houses. The train travels by the backyards of these families a couple times each day.
Many tourists love coming to Hanoi train street to enjoy coffee at the sidewalk and take a great number of stunning pictures. However, when you read this article, the street is no longer open to tourists. The safety of this place has created a huge concern for the local authorities. Therefore, all the check-in spots and cafes along the train street have been closed with caution signs on the street.
Though, it will be great if you can spend time to look back on the splendid past of this destination and find many interesting things about it. Take a trip down memory lane to see how special Hanoi train street is and why it attracted flocks of tourists in the good old days.
1.1. Hanoi train street location
Looking back at Hanoi train street history, the single-track railway that runs through the streets of Hanoi Old Quarter has been there since the 20th century, during the French colonial period. The railway is still active nowadays. The hot spot that used to drive photoholics crazy is the railway section on Phung Hung, Dien Bien Phu, and Le Duan streets.
Hanoi train street is located in the heart of the old quarter, surrounded by a tight cluster of houses (Source: Collected)
1.2. What makes Hanoi train street so famous?
The interesting thing about Hanoi train street is that the local houses are built just about a meter away from the railway. Many people who used to come to this place express their amazement that if they took 2 – 3 steps from the house, they would find themselves standing on the railway.
The pictures of trains passing through the narrow Hanoi train street used to create a boom on social media. This is the reason why in recent years, till the time it is closed for tourists, Hanoi train street has drawn the attention of people all over the world.
Many sightseers who had a chance to explore this place could sit at Hanoi train street cafes and watch the train passing by up-close. Although there will be no chance like this from now on, the highlights of this street will surely be memorized by many tourists, especially through the pictures that they took at this place on their trips.
1.3. Hanoi train street schedule
The train schedule at this street is fixed. There might be some delays, but generally, the schedule is as follows:
- Monday – Friday: 7:00 PM; 7:45 PM; 8:30 PM; and 10:00 PM
- Saturday – Sunday: 6:00 AM; 9:00 AM; 11:20 AM; 3:20 PM; 5:30 PM; 6:00 PM; 7:00 PM; 7:45 PM; 8:30 PM; 9:00 PM; 11:00 PM
The train track runs through the narrow streets of Hanoi Old Quarter (Source: Collected)
2. Indulge in reminiscence about interesting things in Hanoi train street
There is a reason why Hanoi train street has become so popular on social media. The allure of this site lies in the unique view it offers and the lively life of the locals along the street.
There may be some regrets if you have never come to this place before it is closed for tourists, yet you can bring to mind many fantastic things that used to be found at this place through information below:
2.1. Stroll around to explore the beauty of Hanoi train street
The train street used to be a poor street where railway workers and their families gather to earn a living. Houses were built next to each other and exceptionally close to the railway as well. Therefore, taking a walk along the railway was a great experience to explore the unique beauty of this place and the daily life of people.
For those who had a chance to wander along Hanoi train street, they could catch sight of the local elderly playing chess, women preparing veggies for their meals, kids running around, or chatting with the locals here to listen to their life stories.
Hanoi train street used to be a great place to explore the lively local life along the railway (Source: Collected)
2.2. Wait for the train to pass
On reviving the memory of activities in Hanoi train street, it is hard to not mention the experience of waiting for the train to pass. There are about 10 trains passing through the narrow street each day. When the cafes were still open, the staff would clean up the tables and ask their customers to stay clear of the train track 15 minutes before the train came.
If you follow the Hanoi train street schedule, you will have a chance to watch the train pass through with your own eyes instead of looking at others’ photos on Instagram. As mentioned above, at present, you are not allowed to step inside but you can stand in safe areas at the beginning of the street to see the train. Remember to follow some regulations.
A train passing through the narrow street (Source: Collected)
2.3. Take unique photos on the railway
Hanoi Vietnam train street used to be a hot place for selfie-takers. The curved railway at the train street was the favorite check-in place for not only Vietnamese people but also foreigners. Even on hot summer days, you might see young tourists taking photos here. Nowadays, with the ban on visiting the street, many tourists feel that it is such a great pity to not capture unforgettable memories at this unique place in Vietnam.
2.4. Sip a cup of coffee at Hanoi train street cafes
Before being closed due to safety reasons, the train street in Hanoi was home to lots of coffee shops. These railway cafes used to be must-see attractions in Hanoi. Sitting in a local cafe and waiting for the train to come was such an interesting experience for tourists. Also, these cafes used to be known as the ideal place to enjoy the view of Hanoi train street at night.
Although tourists will no longer see the image of roadside cafes in Hanoi train street, the taste of coffee cups will surely make many people who have come to this place remember fondly.
Hanoi train street cafes used to be full of tourists (Source: Collected)
3. Final thoughts about Hanoi Vietnam train street
Hanoi train street is now considered a dangerous area for visitors. At the beginning of the street, you can see some steel barricades with caution signs mentioning strict regulations:
– Do not gather a crowd
– Do not take photos or videos
– Do not walk, stand or sit on railroad tracks
– Do not display chairs, tables and peddle on and along railroad tracks
Although everything is now in the past, the train street must have brought back many good memories for visitors to Hanoi, especially foreigners.
If you plan to enrich your excursion in Hanoi, put on your travel list many fascinating attractions around the city…
The Old Quarter is another famous tourist attraction in Hanoi (Source: Collected)
In addition, Hanoi has many other fascinating attractions to explore. It would be great to get exposed to the local life in Hanoi Old Quarter. You can also pay a visit to historical and cultural sites like Presidential Palace, St. Joseph’s Cathedral to expand your knowledge and wander around West Lake to enjoy the fresh atmosphere here. Also, you can take a tour to Vincom Mega Mall Times City to play several exciting indoor games at VinKE and explore the marine world at the nearby Vinpearl Aquarium.
VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium Times City are great places for indoor activities
Book tickets of VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium here
Having a great view of the narrow train track and the dynamic local life, Hanoi train street deserves to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in this city. It is unknown what the future holds after the closure of the train street, but if you have a chance, don’t hesitate to come here once.
