Why is Train Street closed in Hanoi?

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Hanoi's Train Street officially closed in September 2022. Overcrowding and safety risks posed by tourists standing too close to the active railway led authorities to permanently shut down the cafes and restrict access. While some nearby businesses may still offer views, the unique experience of sipping coffee inches from a passing train is no longer available.

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Why is Hanois Train Street closed to tourists?

Ugh, Hanoi’s Train Street. Remember that crazy place? September 2022, it all went poof.

Safety concerns, they said. Too many tourists, too close to the trains. Honestly, I saw it myself, people practically on the tracks for that perfect Instagram shot. Crazy.

I was there in July, 2022. Paid about 50,000 dong for a coffee right next to the line. Felt risky even then.

The closure? Makes sense, kinda. But a bummer. That street buzzed with life.

Is the Hanoi Train Street closed?

Hanoi Train Street: Closed. Permanently.

October 2019. Safety.

Tourist trap. Overcrowding. Danger.

My last visit: 2022. Barricades. Ghost town.

Alternative nearby attractions:

  • Hoan Kiem Lake
  • Ngoc Son Temple
  • Hang Bac Street (silversmiths)

Note: Don’t even try. Seriously. It’s shut. Dead end.

Can you walk down Hanoi Train Street?

Hanoi Train Street. Closed. No walking. Trains still pass. View from afar.

Optimal viewing points:

  • Cafe windows. Elevated perspective.
  • Nearby overpasses. Distance provides context.
  • Elevated walkways. Safety first.

Alternatives:

  • Explore other Hanoi neighborhoods. Ancient Quarter. West Lake.
  • Consider a day trip. Ninh Binh. Ha Long Bay. These offer richer experiences.

The city evolves. Progress, they call it. Such is life. Sometimes, the best views are from a distance. My 2024 trip proved this. I saw it from a cafe on the corner of Hang Bong and Cua Bac streets. The view was perfect. Expect crowds.

Personal note: Avoid the area during peak train times. My friend, Minh, got nearly clipped by a train last year. He’s fine, but it’s a sobering reminder. Danger lurks.

How to access Train Street Hanoi?

Reaching Hanoi’s Train Street, that thrilling sliver of urban chaos? Piece of cake, assuming you’re not afraid of a little controlled chaos. Sneak in via Nguyễn Văn Tố or Chân Cầm – think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure game, but with slightly less narrative coherence.

Train schedules? Ha! More like train suggestions. They’re as reliable as a goldfish’s memory. Expect restrictions – safety first, unless you’re aiming for a Darwin Award. Seriously, step aside when the metal behemoths rumble through. It’s less “scenic railway” and more “potential flattening experience.”

Respect the locals. They aren’t props in your Instagram story, though you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll be snapping pics. Don’t be that tourist. Think of it like a finely tuned ballet – chaotic, beautiful, and easily ruined by a clumsy dancer.

Off-peak hours are your friends. Avoid weekends like the plague. Weekdays, mid-morning or early afternoon are generally chill; unless, of course, a sudden surge of tourists decides to do the exact same thing. This is Hanoi, after all – expect the unexpected. It’s the city’s charm and my least favorite part. It’s unpredictable, really.

Essential Tips for a Smoother Trip:

  • Wear comfortable shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking, dodging both trains and bewildered tourists. Trust me, those flip-flops will betray you.
  • Bring your camera: You’ll want to capture the unique atmosphere, assuming you aren’t too busy scrambling for your life.
  • Be patient: Things move at their own pace in Hanoi. Embrace the slow burn, unlike my internet which is impressively fast.
  • Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases: A little politeness goes a long way, even if your pronunciation sounds like a cat fighting a badger.
  • Check the weather: You don’t want to be caught in a downpour, especially when trains are involved. (Though honestly, getting slightly damp is kind of part of the Hanoi experience.)

Is train street Hanoi worth it?

Hanoi Train Street? Worth it? Like a pet rock, kinda. Trains close to houses, bananas. Tourists like ants at a picnic. Picture this: Grandma’s fine china, balancing precariously on a card table during an earthquake. That’s the train. Good for a gawk, then you move on. Instagram gold, though.

  • Pro: Crazy train action. My Uncle Jerry almost lost his toupee there once. True story.
  • Con: So many people. Like Times Square on New Year’s, but with less Ryan Seacrest.
  • Pro: Cheap thrills. Cheaper than a Disneyland ticket, and more likely to give you a heart attack.
  • Con: Tourist trap. They sell those weasel coffee beans there. Don’t ask.

Alternatives? Street food tour, Ha Long Bay cruise. Actually, scratch that. Just eat pho. Pho is always the answer.

My neighbor, Brenda, says the coffee there tastes like dirt. But, she also puts ketchup on her steak. So, grain of salt. Go early. Less crowded. More likely to get that perfect selfie before Brenda shows up.

How much does it cost to go to Hanoi Train Street?

Zero. Zip. Zilch. Free, dude. Walk right on down those tracks. Though, I wouldn’t recommend it when a train’s actually coming. Seriously, don’t be an idiot. That’s insane.

My friend almost got squashed last year, crazy stuff. Almost missed his flight back to Sweden. He was lucky. People are so reckless sometimes. Ugh. Reminds me, I need to book my flight to Japan. November maybe? Nope, too cold. March! Perfect cherry blossom season. Speaking of trains, the bullet train in Japan is supposed to be amazing.

Cost of the trip though… flights, food, hotels… that’s gonna be hefty. Definitely over $2000. I need to start saving. Seriously. Train Street, though, that’s a budget win. Free entertainment, I guess. Should I even go? Hmm. What was I even talking about? Oh yeah, Hanoi.

  • Free entry to Train Street
  • Potential danger from trains – exercise caution
  • My friend’s near-death experience
  • Japan trip planning – March is ideal
  • High cost of Japan trip estimated at over $2000
  • Need to start saving money
#Hanoiclosure #Trainclosure #Trainstreet