How to visit Hanoi Train Street in 2026

Last updated on November 4th, 2025

Want to experience Hanoi Train Street? In this guide we’re sharing exactly how to visit in 2026, including the best cafe to watch the train from, plus how to avoid any closures.

One of the most iconic sights in Hanoi is Train Street. For years, we had seen photos and videos of a train passing through a narrow street, with buildings just feet from the tracks. So when we finally made it to Hanoi, we knew we HAD to visit it! And WOW…what an experience. Having the train whip past us, just inches away, is an exhilarating experience that we will never forget!

Watch our experiences in Hanoi, including exploring the Old Quarter, visiting Train Street, and going on an epic food tour! 

In this guide we’re sharing everything you need to know to visit Hanoi Train Street. Including the different areas you can see the train from, current closures, how to avoid any closures, cafe options, the train schedule, and what to expect while there. 

Is Hanoi train street open?

During our visit in 2023, the main area of Hanoi Train Street (which we will share below!) was closed to tourists. There were barricades on the tracks, to prevent people from entering, plus officials in uniform standing guard.

This was due to safety concerns, after tourists would stand on the tracks as the train was coming, forcing the train to slam on its brakes. One tourist was even hit and miraculously survived.

But because it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hanoi, tourists still didn’t stay away. And since the cafes that line the tracks rely on tourism, they have tried to find ways to stay open, by escorting visitors into their cafes. 

However, a fellow travel friend let us know that as of January 2025, Hanoi Train Street is back open! However, this main, popular area of Hanoi Train Street isn’t the only place to go. During our visit, we found another area with cafes that was just as exciting to visit (and at the time, less busy). And in this guide we will be sharing about this section of tracks specifically.

We do want to make it clear though: Hanoi Train Street CAN be dangerous. So please take ALL safety precautions seriously. We are not joking when we say the train is just inches from you. Do NOT stand on the tracks as it approaches, do NOT try to touch it, and do NOT sit closer than allowed. Visiting Hanoi Train Street is an incredible experience. And if everyone can follow the rules and visit responsibly, hopefully Hanoi Train Street will be fully open for everyone to enjoy. 

Hanoi Train Street- Old Quarter

This is the popular, most well known section of Hanoi Train Street. Located right in the Old Quarter, this section is lined with tons of different cafes. It’s definitely the most iconic area to visit. However, this is the section that was barricaded and guarded during our visit, so we were unable to

At the time of our visit, the only way to visit this section was to be escorted by a cafe owner. To do this, you needed to message a cafe owner on WhatsApp to have them come find you and let you in. 

We heard some stories of people being harassed by cafe owners to get you to come to their cafe. Or that they’ll escort you to a different cafe than you want. We aren’t sure if this is still the case now that the area is reopened, but just in case, we’d only visit this area if you WhatsApp a cafe owner. 

Hanoi Train Street- Le Duan

As rule followers, we felt a bit weird about going to the Old Quarter section of Hanoi Train Street with it being closed at the time. After walking by it and also reading reviews, it just didn’t seem like it was going to be a super positive experience. So during our visit to Hanoi, we visited this section of Train Street instead!

This section is located just behind Le Duan street. You can access the tracks right here. Not only are there zero barricades or security here, but the experience is MUCH more chill and enjoyable. During our visit, you didn’t have to be escorted and cafe owners were not harassing you to visit their cafes. There were also way less tourists here. Although we have a feeling it’s a bit more popular now!

Cafes along Hanoi Train Street

Hanoi Train Street is technically free to visit, but you will need to support a cafe by purchasing something. All cafes will offer some sort of drinks, including coffee, smoothies, or beer. Some, like the one we visited, even have food! Make sure to bring cash, as some cafes may not take credit cards.

Below is a list of some cafe options along both sections of Hanoi Train Street, including the one we visited, which we think is the best choice. We’re also including the WhatsApp number for each, so you can reach out in advance about the train schedule, reserve a table, or get escorted, if needed.

Looking for more cafes outside of Train Street to visit while in Hanoi? Check out our guide with the 13 BEST coffee shops in Hanoi!

Old Quarter Section

This section of Hanoi Train Street definitely has more iffy reviews when it comes to the cafes. But here are a few that are highly rated and visitors tend to have a positive experience at!

Coffee Chill 96 
WhatsApp: +84 904 557 373

Railway Cafe 
WhatsApp: +84 917 301 111

Coffee 74 
WhatsApp: +84 81 212 4488 

Le Duan Section

While this section of Hanoi Train Street has less cafes to choose from, they all seem to be higher quality, in terms of the customer experience. 

Hanoi 1990s
WhatsApp: +84 934 050 191

This is where we went and we think it’s the BEST cafe on Hanoi Train Street! We loved Hanoi 1990s because they have a prime location, the owner was super kind and friendly (she even took photos of us!), and you can tell they take safety VERY seriously. She was not afraid to tell tourists to move back if they were in a dangerous spot. We highly recommend coming here! They also have some food items, if you need a snack while waiting.

Nam Vy Coffee 
WhatsApp: +84 856 699 791

Beo Coffee
WhatsApp: +84 985 864 786

Hanoi Train Street schedule

How often does the train run? It depends! The schedule changes often and does vary during the week versus the weekend. 

Another important thing to know is that the different sections of Hanoi Train Street have different train schedules. The Hanoi Train Station is located between the two sections. So most trains, if not all, will stop at the train station, either for a long time or just a quick stop. Some trains may not even go by one of the Train Street sections, depending on where they are coming from and going to.

The photo above is a recent schedule (February 2024) for the Le Duan section of Hanoi Train Street. But the best way to find out the most accurate train schedule is to contact a cafe owner via WhatsApp. They will know the most up to date schedule. When you contact them, you may even have the option to reserve a table in advance!

When is the best time to visit Hanoi Train Street?

As for the best time of day to visit Hanoi Train Street, it depends! We personally wanted to experience Hanoi Train Street during the day, which is easier for photos and videos. But we hear that the evening is a very cool experience as well. We would’ve loved to have done both!

For the day of the week, we suggest going during the week if you can, as it will likely be less busy. However, we went on a Sunday morning in March and it wasn’t bad at all!

Regardless of the day or time you visit, arrive early! We got there about an hour early, which was perfect! It gave us our choice of seats, time to take photos on the tracks, and the chance to order food and drinks before the train arrived. As it got closer to the train arriving, more and more people definitely showed up!

What to expect at Hanoi Train Street

Now that you know a bit more about how to visit Hanoi Train Street, what should you expect while there? Here’s a rundown of the experience, based on our time at the Le Duan section of Train Street.

Once arriving on Train Street, we suggest heading straight to a cafe to snag a seat. Once your seat is secured, place your order for drinks and/or food with the cafe staff. As you wait for your drinks and food to arrive, snap some photos on the tracks! Before the train comes, the tracks are accessible and you can walk on them, sit on them, and take as many photos or videos as you’d like. The cafe owners may even help you get the perfect shot!

If you order a beer, put your beer cap on the tracks. When the train rushes over it, it smashes it into a fun little souvenir that you can take home with you!

Once the train is coming, the owner will make everyone move back. At Hanoi 1990s, we had to turn our tables and chairs so they didn’t stick out so far. That was a good indication to us of how close the train will be getting! PLEASE listen to the cafe owners as they get everyone ready. We had some people that were not listening well and she very firmly told them to stand back.

And then the anticipation builds! Just minutes after getting ready, you’ll hear the train. Seconds later, you’ll get your first glimpse! And then before you know it, it’s moving right past you!

While the train isn’t moving at high speeds, it still feels very fast when it’s rushing just inches from your body. It was a WILD experience! I was screaming with joy (and maybe some fear?) the entire time. 

Feeling the ground rumble beneath your feet and the wind on your face as a hulking train whips by is SO thrilling. While the experience is super quick, it’s one that we will remember forever! And we hope that this guide helped you figure out how to visit Hanoi Train Street so you can experience it for yourself someday.

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