After exploring St. Joseph's Cathedral, we headed back to our hostel. By then, it was well past the check-in time, so our rooms were finally ready. We grabbed our luggage, made our way to the rooms, and settled in. The exhaustion from all the walking had finally caught up with us, and my feet were begging for a break. A hot shower felt like heaven! It was exactly what we needed to relax and refresh ourselves. Once we were clean and re-energized, we got dressed and prepared for our next adventure. Excited and ready to explore more of Hanoi, we stepped out and made our way to the famous and thrilling Train Street!
Train Street in Hanoi, Vietnam, is one of the city's most famous and unique attractions. It's a narrow street lined with residential buildings, cafes, and shops, with an active railway track running right through the heart of it. The trains pass just inches away from the buildings, creating a thrilling and unforgettable experience for visitors.It’s fascinating how such an ordinary railway track has become one of the most exciting places to visit in Hanoi.
Located in the Old Quarter, Train Street has become a must-visit spot for tourists who come to watch the train pass while sipping coffee at the cozy cafes that line the track. These small cafés serve everything from strong Vietnamese coffee to fresh fruit juices and snacks like banh mi. The owners are friendly, often chatting with visitors and sharing stories. However, due to safety concerns, authorities have occasionally restricted access to the area. Despite this, it remains an iconic part of Hanoi’s charm and an experience that truly stands out.
We went to the Hanoi 1990s Cafe to wait for the train to pass by. The place had a cozy and lively atmosphere, perfect for experiencing Train Street. Both sides of the track were beautifully decorated with colorful, glowing lanterns that lit up the area. Small tables and chairs were set up for visitors, giving us the perfect spot to sit, relax, and enjoy the moment. Apparently, the last time Ramesh was here, they waited for around 2 hours for the train to arrive, but it sadly did not. So this time, we had done our research and made sure of the train timings. The best time to visit Train Street is usually in the late afternoon or early evening, as that’s when most trains pass by. As we waited, we sipped on our drinks and soaked in the excitement, knowing that any minute now, the train would arrive!Everyone around us kept checking their watches, glancing down the tracks, whispering in excitement.
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I absolutely loved it, you know! It was such a thrilling yet slightly terrifying experience. The cafe hosts clear off the tables and keep them aside because the train passes by so close! The moment the train came rushing towards us, my heartbeats probably matched the train speed lol. It passed so close that I could feel the wind from it, and honestly, that first time, I was scared out of my mind! But we stayed there for about an hour and got to witness three trains passing by. We were initially about to leave but the cafe hosts told us that another train would arrive within 15 minutes. So everyone of course stayed. Then again we were informed that a train will pass by in 20 minutes. Many left but we were ready for it. With each one, my fear lessened just a little, but I was still nervous every single time.
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To make things even more fun, we bought a beer and decided to try something we had heard about. We placed the bottle cap on the track before the train arrived. When the train sped over it, the cap got perfectly flattened, turning it into a cool little souvenir. A small piece of Train Street to take home with us.
It’s crazy how tourism has changed Train Street. Before, it was just a quiet residential area where locals went about their daily lives. Now, it’s packed with tourists, cafés, and souvenir shops. Some residents appreciate the business, while others worry about safety, as too many visitors crowd the tracks. There have been times when authorities tried to shut it down, but the charm of Train Street keeps bringing people back.
There were people sitting on both sides of the tracks, yet it never felt too crowded. Everyone had their own little space, and there was this unspoken understanding that we were all there to experience the same thrill. What made it even more enjoyable was watching the reactions of others. Some were visibly excited, some looked completely shocked, and a few, like me, were caught between fascination and sheer panic! It was hilarious seeing people’s expressions change as the train got closer and closer. I don’t think anyone was truly prepared for just how near it actually came!
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It was the perfect balance—enough people to share the excitement with, but not so many that it felt overwhelming. The energy in the air was infectious, a mix of thrill, curiosity, and just a little bit of fear. For a place that is literally a train track, Train Street had a charm that made it feel so alive.
I had my phone out, all set to record the moment. But as soon as I saw the train thundering towards me, I completely forgot about filming! Instead, I instinctively turned away, and my video ended up being a blurry mess. So much for capturing the perfect shot! But thankfully, Ramesh got a great video, so I’m happy with that.
I'll admit this spot was not too high up on my list of places I was excited to visit in Hanoi. But it turned out to be one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had. If I ever go back to Hanoi, I’m definitely doing it again!
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