About This Experience

Hanoi's Train Street is a narrow residential alley in the Old Quarter where the railway line runs directly between rows of houses, with barely a metre of clearance on either side. Several times a day, residents calmly fold away their chairs and pull in their laundry as a full-size train rumbles through at slow speed. It has become one of Hanoi's most photographed spots.

What to Expect

The atmosphere on Train Street is surreal — laundry hangs between buildings, children play on the tracks, and small cafés line the rails. When the train approaches, a horn sounds and everyone presses against the walls as the locomotive passes close enough to touch. The experience lasts only a few minutes but the contrast between ordinary daily life and the train's passage is extraordinary.

Practical Tips

• Check train schedules locally — trains typically pass in the morning and late afternoon
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time
• Stay alert and follow the instructions of local residents when the train approaches
• Access has been restricted at times for safety — check current conditions before visiting
• The most popular section is near the intersection with Tran Phu Street
• Small cafés along the track offer drinks while you wait