Finding the Train Street in Hanoi, Vietnam (With Location on Map)
What if I told you there is a street in Hanoi where a train
track passes between houses on both sides? Several trains pass through the
track on a daily basis. Sounds dangerous?
Welcome to the Train Street of Hanoi. It is, in reality, a
simple train track that passes through a dense city neighborhood as it emerges
out of Hanoi train station. And this is what makes it so interesting.
There are houses on both sides with the street in between. The
street is perhaps just 3 metres wide. Instead of motor vehicles, there is a
train track running in the middle of it. Locals on motorbikes and cycles can be
occasionally seen passing by on either side of the tracks. The residents of the
houses can be seen sitting on the tracks, cutting vegetables or just chatting
with the neighbours. For the kids, this entire stretch is perhaps their playground.
There is just one thing- A few times through the day, a
train passes on these tracks. The residents know of the train timings and
promptly shift their business inside the house seconds before the mighty train
chugs past, just a few inches away from their homes. The train goes and the
locals’ life returns to the tracks, their very own backyard.
This is not a tourist spot that you would find marked on any
maps. Most tourists don’t even know of the existence of such a place. But the
Train Street of Hanoi is fast becoming a tourist hotspot. It is fascinating to
see a massive train brush past you, so close to the buildings, and that is
attracting a lot of adventure loving tourists.
I had read about the Hanoi train street online before my Vietnam
trip and the crazy train buff in me had this place on priority, above the Ho
Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, the Hoa Lo Prison or even the
Hoan Kiem Lake. I had to find the train
street anyhow and witness a train passing through it. I asked my hostel
receptionist about it and they roughly pointed me to an area on the city map.
Google wasn’t helping much and there seemed to be a conflict between two spots-
one to the north of Hanoi station and one to its south. The northern one was
closer to my hostel and seemed like a longer stretch. So I decided to give it a
try and catch the train that passes at 3.20 PM.
I arrived by 2.45 PM and walked on the track. There were a few
other tourists there, everyone waiting to catch a glimpse of the passing train.
I even saw a small café. I think it was called ‘Train Street Café’ and served
some juices and snacks. I just walked around clicking pictures and waiting for
the train.
Around 3.25 PM, the train horn could be heard and a definite
rumbling began. Everyone immediately cleared the tracks. I stood as far away
from the track as I possibly could, almost entering a house. The train passed. It
was a normal train but it felt like a huge mechanical mass passing by. You might
think that it runs slow as it is passing the houses, but no. It was fast! Check
out this video I took:
Finding the Train Street in Hanoi:
As I mentioned earlier, there were two variations I read and
heard about the location of the train street. Now I realize that it was because
both exist. Check out this map and bookmark it if you like for the exact
locations of both the streets. One is located to the north of Hanoi station and
one is located to the immediate south of the station- both are highlighted with
red lines. I would recommend visiting the one on the North as it is a much
longer stretch.
The train timings at the Train Street in Hanoi:
I found several versions of the train timings online
including 6 AM, 11.37 AM, 3.20 PM, 5.45 PM, 6.27 PM and 9.15 PM (January 2018).
I am not sure about all these timings. I went for the 3.20 PM train and was
able to catch it on a Saturday leaving from Hanoi station towards the north. Do
note that I went to the Northern stretch.
All trains that go to Sapa take the Northern stretch. Trains
going to the South towards Ho Chi Minh City or any of the places enroute, take
the Southern route. I would recommend checking the train timings of a
particular day (either online or by visiting Hanoi station) and deciding your
visit to the Train Street accordingly. The timings are usually different for
weekdays and weekends. Also, not all trains run all days of the week. While at
the train street be careful of the direction the train is coming from.
There definitely is a huge adrenaline rush as the train
passes so close. It was definitely crazier than I had imagined it would be. For
train lovers and adrenaline junkies, this is a must visit. Just stay safe and
away from the tracks, the train won’t stop for your selfie or daredevil photo. The
speed at which it passes, it mostly will run over you if you are not careful.
In case you have been to the Train Street recently or are
from Hanoi, do share the train timing if you are aware of it in the comments
below.
Now read:
Subscribe to my mailing list to get my
monthly newsletter that has updates regarding my upcoming travel plans, travel
hacks, new posts and videos, and more.
Subscribe to
our Youtube Channel and watch our fun travel vlogs.
interesting vietnam travel diary thanks to sharing
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it :)
DeleteThat's one cool thing to do when in Vietnam ..I ll definitely do this.
ReplyDeleteJaldi trip plan karo :)
Delete