Known as a factor in tourism development in Hanoi, many people visit to drink coffee near the railway and observe the daily life of locals.
The History Of Hanoi Train Track Cafe
Hanoi Train Track Cafe has appeared since the French colonial period. At that time, many workers started to build houses near the railway. Until now, this place has become a beautiful small village with ancient coffee shops.
The small village extends from Long Bien to the end of Le Duan District. For over thirty years, many generations have considered this destination “a place to come back home” because their lives were associated with it.
Especially, cafe Hanoi by train track has soon become a tourist attraction in Hanoi because of its unique scenery. It is truly a cinematic village inside Hanoi’s capital city.
Plus, Hanoi Train Track Cafe also witnessed several historical milestones in the city particularly, as also in Vietnam generally. In early September 2021, an amount of cafe shops were prohibited and closed for some legal regulations. Also, the major reason is to protect tourists.
So, people were so panicked by several magazines posting articles with the title: “ Hanoi closes railway cafes thronged by selfie-seeking tourists”. However, they were reopened then and are still a hot spot for tourists and young people now.
How To Get To Hanoi Train Track Cafe?
There are different ways to get to the Hanoi Train Track Cafe. You can get there by car, motorbike, take a taxi, or by bus. If you rent a motorbike in the Hanoi city center, let’s follow Ton Duc Thang Street about 900 meters and turn to Kham Thien.
Then, you will see the railway cafe in Hanoi next to Phung Hung Street. You can park your motorbikes on Tran Phu Street and walk for minutes to get to the railway. The parking is about 10,000 VND.
Suggest famous train line cafes in Hanoi
When you visit this place, you will have a lot of amazing coffee shops to choose from. Most of them have old styles with an ancient vibe. There are some cafes that you can refer to:
Café 90 Duong Tau – East Gate
The first cafe you can try visiting is Cafe 90 Duong Tau – Cua Dong. It is located at 26C P. Phung Hung, East Gate, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. This is one of the most crowded cafes here. Moreover, the cafe shop has a simple and peaceful vibe.
It is quite small with a few chairs outside. However, the menu is very varied and Café 90 Duong Tau – East Gate is a good location to enjoy the scenery and wait for train journeys passing by.
Cafe San Ga 62 – Phung Hung
Situated at 62 P. Phung Hung, East Gate, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Cafe San Ga 62 – Phung Hung possesses a perfect view near the railway to catch the whole scenery of trains. You even can feel the vibration of trains while they are passing by.
MER café 48 Duong Tau
MER cafe 48 Duong Tau can be found at 48 P. Phung Hung, East Gate, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. The cafe has an ancient vibe and reminds us of the atmosphere of Hanoi’s 1990s. The shop is beautiful and has good services. This is also an ideal spot to find out about the daily life of locals and the best view of every train.
There are also other cafe shops for you to visit such as Coffee Waitrans 74, 30 Train Coffee, or Hao Hao Coffee – 80 Duong Tau.
Best Time To Visit Hanoi Railway Cafe
You can get here whenever you want if you would like to feel the life and observe the daily activities of locals here. Nevertheless, you should visit the Hanoi Train Track Cafe to have the best photo shots when trains pass by. And you will feel a bit excited to wait for the trains.
Additionally, if you adore shipping a cup of coffee and going to gossip with your friends, the nighttime will be the most suitable. But remember, the trains are only active in the early morning and on the weekends, so let’s consider a convenient time for you!
TRAIN STREET SAFETY
Because of the proximity of the trains, visiting Train Street is just as dangerous as it is exhilarating so it's important to be cautious while visiting:
KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE
Stay behind any marked safety lines and follow instructions from local authorities or staff. Keep your hands, knees, and feet tucked in and away from the tracks when trains are approaching and passing through.
FOLLOW LOCAL GUIDANCE
Listen to local shopkeepers and guides as they're typically familiar with train timings and safety information. Don't stand on or cross the train tracks unless they have told you it is safe to do SO.
STAY ALERT
While taking photos and videos, be mindful of your surroundings. Avoid using headphones or being engrossed in your phone to ensure you're aware of any approaching trains.
VISIT DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS
It's safer to visit Train Street during the day when visibility is better, and you can easily see and hear approaching trains.
FOLLOW SAFETY REGULATIONS
Adhere to any posted safety signs and regulations. If the area is closed to tourists, please respect the closures for your safety.
SECRET TIP
Without a local guide, you’ll likely be restricted from standing on the tracks by police officers. So if you want an on-track photo before or after seeing the train, you’ll either need to visit with a guide or buy a drink from a cafe and ask a worker to help you.
Hanoi Train Track Cafe is exactly a great place to visit and experience something new in Hanoi. If you have a chance, don’t miss the boat to explore this place!
