Hanoi Train Street: What to Know Before You Go

Shal & James
Jan 26
3 min read

Updated: Jan 30

Everything you need to know before visiting Hanoi Train Street, including when to go, where to sit, and what no one tells you until the train is already coming.

On Hanoi Train Street: James and Shal beers in hand, toes on the tracks, and zero trains in sight (for now). — On Hanoi’s famous **Train Street**—beers in hand, toes on the tracks, and zero trains in sight (for now). Cheers to living on the edge… literally.

After reading a slew of dramatic blog posts about Hanoi’s infamous Train Street—complete with tales of the street being closed, stern-faced guards, WhatsApp cafe “invites,” and near-death train encounters—we were braced for a mission.

We thought we’d have to message some cafe contact on WhatsApp to be escorted past roadblocks like we were sneaking into a secret rave. Spoiler: no secret handshakes or digital backdoors required. It’s actually way more chill than the internet would have you believe.

Here comes the train on Hanoi Train Street: locals and tourists tuck in, cameras up, heart rates spiking. — Here comes the train on **Hanoi’s Train Street:** locals and tourists tuck in, cameras up, heart rates spiking.

HOW TO GET TO HANOI TRAIN STREET?

We hopped in a GrabCar to Pho Duong Tau Ha Noi, the northern end (the southern end is less crowded, but also less atmospheric). We strolled right in, and boom: Train Street magic.

WHERE TO SIT ON HANOI TRAIN STREET?

Were there touts calling us into their cafes? Of course. But it was low-key, and we picked a spot on the curve for the best train photo ops.

We sat at Hao Hao Coffee (but any cafe on the curve will do), ordered a couple of cheap beers, and soaked it all in. You may also be interested to know that Hao Hao has a toilet, which is excellent news, even if you are expected to supply your own toilet roll and hand sanitiser.

Yes, the train runs terrifyingly close to you. Don't ignore the locals telling you to MOVE (in English) when the train’s coming. These cafe owners know the schedule like clockwork. When it’s time to tuck in, they’ll let you know. They'll even tell you which direction to aim your camera.

Plenty of people pop their beer bottle caps on the rails for a flattened souvenir (we did), though be prepared for a small scavenger hunt once the train has thundered past.

If being inches from a moving train isn’t your idea of fun, a few cafés have upstairs balconies where you can watch the whole spectacle from a safer, calmer distance.

WHAT TIME TO GO TO HANOI TRAIN STREET?

We went at night and highly recommend it. The whole place is lit up with lanterns and fairy lights. It's very atmospheric!

TRAIN SCHEDULE*

Mon – Fri: 8:49AM, 9:25AM, 11:52AM, 3:20PM, 9:15PM, 9:30PM, 10PM
Sat: 8:58AM, 9:20AM, 11:50AM, 3:15PM, 5:45PM, 9:20PM, 10PM
Sun: 8:49AM, 9:20AM, 10AM, 11:52AM, 12:58PM, 3:20PM, 5:45PM, 8:30PM, 9:20PM, 9:40PM

*This was the schedule posted in the cafes on Train Street when we visited in March 2025. Please use as a rough guide only.

So skip the panic, grab a beer, and get there 15–20 minutes before the train for a front-row seat to one of Hanoi’s most thrilling little spectacles. Just remember the cafes are cash only!