You usually see that the railways are isolated from houses in a sufficiently far distance in many countries. However, have you ever seen the row of houses and daily activities of local people happening surround the railroad? In your Vietnam tour, you will have a chance to witness this strange thing that occurs every day in the capital of Vietnam – Hanoi. It is definitely in Hanoi Old Train Street which is recently popular for its ancient beauty and local culture.

Hanoi Train Street is a small street in the central Hanoi, where the train from North goes through. The train street is one of the most typically ancient features of Hanoi, attracting a lot of tourists in many recent years. Nowadays, more and more visitors consider Hanoi Train Street as one of the most ideal destinations in their Hanoi tours. A special thing of Hanoi old train street making tourists very curious and excited is that the street is so narrow that people feel affordable to touch the train if it goes through. Or even tourists can feel that two rows of houses on two sides are very close to each other and there is just a middle line for trains.

CNN, a very famous channel of the US, referred to Hanoi’s train street as the most popular selfie destination in Hanoi. The foreign newspapers and magazines have also mentioned much Hanoi train street and considered it as a highlight of Hanoi. Each house in the train street is only about 15 to 25 meters square wide. In which all activities of the people take place around the train track, even on the train track. This is a particularly rare thing.

The Location of Hanoi Train Street

The Hanoi old train street is at 224 Le Duan Lane, Dong Da district, Hanoi. Especially, it is located in the middle part between Le Duan and Kham Thien Street in Hanoi Old Quarter. It is easy to find out this street because it is close to some tourist attractions. If Google maps cannot support, you can ask local people for help.

Hanoi Train Street: A New “Check-in” Spot

As in any other streets, Hanoi train street also has all the shades of life, with all happy or sad, new or old stories. The legendary ” curving railroad” of this railway attracts many international guests. From the day it was reported to foreigners as a must-visited-once destination when arriving in Hanoi, the train street is much more bustling. However, its calm and peaceful space is not broken.

The Hanoi train street has a railroad track crossing with also many small booths and rows of houses on two sides. The strange living of the locals in the eyes of foreigners has attracted many visitors. They are surprised and curious about a small street with the width is just over 5m but it was a very special and unique beauty. Therefore, not only the Long Bien Bridge, ancient streets or traditional places in Hanoi but the Hanoi train street also become famous sights in the heart of the capital.

This tiny street, which has vitality for decades, suddenly went into poetry and photography by the inherent beauty of simplicity. The visitors enjoy the moment of living in this narrow space and sipping a cup of coffee. Then, when the sirens signaled howling, they will run close to the walls of the local houses, peer out the head and enjoy the train passing through the street.

The Simple Life along Hanoi Train Street

Hanoi train street is only about 500 meters long with new and old houses mixed up, full color from deep to bright. Every corner of Hanoi train street is beautiful and romantic. The population in Hanoi train street is full of ancient Hanoians, as well as laborers from all over the country.  The simple life with many unique characteristics has made this place is far more special than any other places in Hanoi

Every afternoon, many families put the stove right outside the door, straight to the street to cook rice. Smoke from coal burn far away, blur the eyes of visitors. Although the land is crowded, each house only has enough space for television and bed, but everyone is still attached to this place. Some people might wonder why Hanoi train street can be a place to live, the train whistle clangs noisily every day, the road is narrow and the rock is scattered everywhere. Still, many generations who have lived in this street do not want to leave. Therefore, in the inconvenience, residents of Hanoi train street find no inconvenience at all.

Best Time to Visit Hanoi Train Street

The best time to visit Hanoi Train Street is about from 3 pm to 8 pm. Take notice that the train will go through the street twice a day at around 3 pm and 7:30 pm, so arrange your plan if you would like to see the moment when the train comes.

You can experience a pretty thrilling feeling and take the stunning pictures in this strange train street. Moreover, you cannot take your eyes off as seeing how local people live and work there, which gives you a feeling of peaceful life in the local culture of Vietnamese people.

In general, Hanoi Train Street has just been discovered and increasingly becomes a favorite place of many visitors in Hanoi.