DestinationsAsiaVisit the Cafes at Hanoi Train Street
Visit the Cafes at Hanoi Train Street

Visit the Cafes at Hanoi Train Street

Did you see a narrow street in any town having the shops and cafes, and it also has a railway track for the trains to pass through? For the tourists and especially to discover this type of wonder, Vietnam has its Hanoi Train Street to explore. I’m fond of traveling by train and I remember during my Morocco multicenter holidays, I traveled on the train from Marrakech to Tangier. That was an amazing experience I would say. On many occasions during my trips, It becomes my hobby to ride on the local trains there. I tripped last month to discover another wonder of the world, the train street in Vietnam. This is an amazing type of experience I’m telling you. It is really worth your visit. Hanoi will give you a different type of traveling experience.

What to Explore in the Hanoi Train Street?

A train passing Hanoi train street

It is an important question that what the train street offers you to explore. For your information as a tourist, Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and has the largest international airport in the country. The city offers you even so many great local foods, bustling night markets, and experiences. Nonetheless, I’m gonna tell you the different ones.

Essential Information for the Introduction of the Street

People are having their homes in the street, shops to buy every basic thing, and coffee shops to have light sips to enjoy the traditions of the land. What important to know for you as a traveler is that the train street is divided into two.

So the two different sections provide you with almost the same experiences. Nevertheless, one of them is having more coffee and shopping options. One section, named Le Duan, is not so famous among tourists because of the fewer activities there. The other section, named The Old Quarter, serves the right purpose of exploration for tours, and visitors. It has a lot of cafes and shops for travelers to eat, and roam in the street.

But time, yes time of the train is vital to know.

Do You Know Which Time the Train Arrives at the Location?

Visitors come to take pics and selfie at Hanoi Train Street

If you are visiting both sections, then you should know what time the train pass-through. At the Old Quarter, the train comes at four different times during the weekdays. You will have an opportunity to see the train passing through the street at about 7 pm, then just after 45 minutes meant at 7:45 pm, at 8:30 pm, and the last comes at 10 pm. This time increase during the weekends due to the passenger’s load. Here is the clear schedule that you may want to note:

  • Weekday, Mon – Friday
    7 pm, 7.45 pm, 8.30 pm, 10 pm
  • Weekend
    6 am, 9 am, 11.20 am, 3.20 pm, 5.30 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, 7.45 pm, 8.30 pm, 9 pm, 11 pm

I was in Hanoi to pass the weekend. And I enjoyed a lot to see the trains passing over only be one at the very little time difference. The time schedule of the trains is different from other sections. So plan your trip accordingly.

Cafes to Visit in Hanoi Train Street

Hanoi Train Street with coffee shops along the sides

There are about 20 coffee shops in the area. However, in the Le Duan section, you will only have one shop to visit, and even have fewer chances of it to be opened. Whereas, the other side means the “Old Quarter section” has a lot of activities.

Ga Đông Dương, A Unique Café at the Location

What made me enter this unique café is its theme. It is themed as the interior of a train. No, you might get wrong. I’m talking about the old traditional trains which are antique in this era but on the tracks in most of the Asian and African countries. I praised the interior while talking to the owner of the café and ordered the coffee. Travelers can opt for the icecream, popcorn, and other things of their choice. Visitors are recommended to must experience to visit the place. Take the sips and experience the authenticity of the very rich traditions there. The café is not so costly, don’t worry. If you are flying from Europe, the UK, or the US, you will find it equal to a little tip.

Banana Coffee Offering You the Terrace Views

Banana Coffee has provided us with the extra activity to sit on the balcony and can view the passing train from the higher view. Sitting on the stools or the comfortable Sofas, having the Coffee, or tea of your choice, overlooking the views around will give you the ultimate experience to be in the Hanoi Train Street. So don’t miss the opportunity to get enthralled. Banana café also offers you the fresh orange juice Banana or Passion Smoothie.

Tram Café

This is another very famous venue in Hanoi Train Street. Especially, their milk coffee is really good. You can order some beers too. I sat down on the terrace of the Café and had the best views of the street. Moreover, I want to mention about the staff’s behavior, they have been very courteous and friendly. Travelers visiting the venue would be informed about everything they would ask from the staff about the train timings, history, and significance of the place. Take your great care, keep your safety first. You are new there so please don’t let the train hit you. Have a safe voyage.

Bad News – Hanoi Train Street Closed!

From a Vietnamese online newspaper, “At 8:30 am on Oct 10, when the tourists went to the area of Hanoi Train Street, there were police officers who stationed there requested visitors to turn out. Inside, the shop owners were asked not to place tables and chairs next to the rails, and to commit not occupying the sidewalks and railways”.

Hanoi train street closed. Police officers request visitors to turn out

The houses there were initially belonged to the employees who worked in the railway industry. After many times transferring to the new owners, the railway corridor has encroached. Furthermore, the locals opened more and more coffee shops, which attracted a lot of tourists. As a result, the safety standard was broken, possibly causing problems for the visitors and people at the Hanoi Train Street area.

It truly is a piece of bad news to tourists or anyone who plans to visit this destination when coming to Hanoi. Hopefully the government will have a way to solve the problem, and reopen Hanoi Train Street again.


the broad life's morocco contributor profileMaria Bella
Morocco Contributor
A travel blogger from UK. Writing is her ultimate passion and nowadays, she is into the mission of providing creative and unique blogs on Morocco’s lively culture and traditions. She can help people in planning their journey by sharing her amazing experience to Morocco.


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I hope this post gives you thorough information about Hanoi Train Street. It might be good for you to plan your trip to visit the Capital city of Vietnam. Here are some posts related to Hanoi which I believe you would love reading too:

Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.

4 Comments

  • EmmanDamian

    I love Vietnamese coffee! In Hanoi, they serve one of the best! I hope to go back soon.

  • Clarice

    This is timely as we’re travelling to Hanoi next month. We’d love to visit the area as it’s a unique experience. Looking forward to visit Ga Đông Dương as you recommended. My friends told me Vietnamese coffee is delicious. Thank you for sharing this.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Yeah you can try going to this place but I’m not sure if they open. As the gov officers don’t allow visitors to come in for safety.

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