The Train Street

Historic Site and Street in Hanoi

Ngõ 224 Lê Duẩn, famously known as “The Train Street,” is located within Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This narrow alley sees a train speeding through twice a day, passing perilously close to the surrounding buildings. Constructed by the French in 1902, this railway line remains operational.

The train passes through at 3 pm and 7 pm daily, traveling between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Due to the alley’s cramped dimensions, residents must clear away their belongings, including bicycles and even children, before the train’s passage. It’s common to see locals sitting on the tracks, enjoying tea, and playing checkers.

This unique street has become a popular tourist attraction in Hanoi. However, in October 2019, local authorities barred tourists from accessing the area, citing safety concerns and the risk of accidents. Tourists frequently stopped to take photographs for social media, causing congestion in the narrow alley. Over time, the street also became home to squatters and a hotspot for drug addicts, alongside numerous cafes and residential buildings. The congestion led to the rerouting of a local train on October 6, 2019, prompting the closure of the alley to tourists.

Local cafes flourished along the street to cater to the influx of tourists, and owners now worry about losing business due to the closure. According to the VN Express newspaper, a train driver recounted three near-misses with tourists on the tracks, including one incident involving a woman absorbed in photographing the passing train.

For those still seeking a safe view, the outdoor seating areas of the local cafes offer a secure vantage point. Cafe owners typically move stools closer to the walls and advise patrons to do the same as the train approaches. Many cafes also display train schedules on chalkboards for their customers’ convenience.

The The Train Street appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Hanoi!

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Visiting The Train Street

Hours:

The train times for Train Street Hanoi is as follows:

Monday to Friday: 7.00pm, 7.45pm, 8.30pm, 9.30pm 10.00pm

Saturday and Sunday: 8.30am, 9.30am, 11.30am, 3.30pm, 5.30pm, 6.00pm, 7.00pm, 7.45pm, 8.30pm, 9.00pm, 11.00pm

Address: Train Street, Phố Trần Phú, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam

Duration: 20 minutes