It's been decided that freight trains will disappear from Hanoi's "train coffee street," which has drawn travelers from around the world. On February 27, 2026, Vietnam's Ministry of Construction formally agreed to abolish all freight trains on the line running through central Hanoi. Passenger trains will also be significantly cut, targeting 4 round trips on Hanoi–Hai Phong and 2 round trips on Hanoi–Lao Cai, among others.
As an alternative, the plan is to build a passenger transfer hub at Gia Lam Station and operate free shuttle buses connecting the stations. The target completion is July 2026.
Where is the train coffee street
Hanoi's "train coffee street" is the collective name for the group of cafés lined up along the railway tracks running through the city center. Along the tracks facing Le Duan, Kham Thien, Tran Phu, and Phung Hung streets, cafés and tea spaces converted from private homes are densely packed.
When a train passes, drinking coffee in a spot only tens of centimeters from the tracks — this extreme closeness is exactly what drew travelers from around the world. Photos and videos spread on Instagram and TikTok became word of mouth, and explosive touristification progressed from around 2018.
Why did the train coffee street become a world-famous tourist spot
"Dangerous closeness" as an extraordinary experience
In modern tourism, the rarity of "experience" holds decisive value. As homogenized hotels and tourist spots spread around the world, the experience of "drinking coffee at an alley café where a train passes right in front of you" had an irreplaceable uniqueness. It was a sight possible only thanks to Hanoi's urban structure, one that could never exist in a developed country with established safety standards.
The chain of social-media appeal and word of mouth
Since 2018, along with the spread of Instagram, the visuals of the "train coffee street" spread around the world. Photos capturing the moment a train passes have especially strong impact, and they kept getting featured on travel blogs and YouTube channels as "a place you absolutely must go if you visit Hanoi." This drew new visitors and functioned as a positive feedback loop generating even more content.
Synergy with the Long Bien Bridge
Nearby is the Long Bien Bridge, built in 1902 during the French colonial era. A "Hanoi Old Quarter walk" course combining the historic structure with the trackside cafés became established, and the train coffee street took root as its core spot. It has offered a deep tourism experience as a place where the city's history and modern café culture intersect.
A community space for local residents
Even before touristification, the trackside alleys were a living space for Hanoi's citizens. Families living in the narrow alleys serve coffee at their doorsteps, and neighbors gather — the warmth of that community was also part of the appeal that travelers around the world sensed.
"Can I still go?" — the latest information for Japanese travelers
The current situation (as of April 2026)
The abolition of freight trains was decided on February 27, 2026, but the schedule for cutting or fully abolishing passenger trains is still in a transition period. Because the Gia Lam Station transfer hub is slated for completion in July 2026, until then some passenger trains may still run as before. We strongly recommend checking the latest operating information before visiting.
Is it still worth visiting
Even if trains no longer pass, the trackside space itself remains. Many cafés keep operating, and its value as a place to experience Hanoi's alley culture and coffee culture is unchanged. That said, if the thrill of a passing train is your goal, it may be better to consider visiting early.
Impact on travel plans
For those planning the standard Hanoi course of Old Quarter → train coffee street → Long Bien Bridge, from the latter half of 2026 onward the experience may change depending on train operations. Combining it with a visit to the railway museum (near Hanoi Station) instead can also deepen your understanding of Vietnamese railway culture.
For café-hopping in Hanoi,A curated guide to cafés where you can enjoy Vietnamese coffee in Hanoiis detailed. And for the best time to visit Hanoi, seeWhen is the best season for Hanoi?For information on food-crawling in the Old Quarter,12 recommended food-crawling spots in Hanoiis helpful.
Background to the abolition decision — urban redevelopment and Long Bien Bridge conservation
This decision sits within the larger context of Long Bien Bridge's cultural conservation and urban redevelopment. Hanoi's Old Quarter has an internationally acclaimed historic urban landscape while being exposed to the pressures of rapid urbanization. The reorganization of the railway network running through the center is the result of a complex policy judgment aimed at reconciling transport efficiency with the preservation of the historic townscape.
While one tourism resource is lost, voices pointing out the danger had also existed for some time. In fact, in 2019 Hanoi city authorities temporarily imposed a business ban for safety reasons. The tension between tourism and safety is also a problem this place has continued to carry.
Summary
The abolition of freight trains running through Hanoi's train coffee street has been decided. Alternative infrastructure is slated for completion in July 2026, and passenger trains are also expected to be reduced in stages. However, the trackside café culture itself won't vanish immediately. A slice of the unique urban experience Hanoi proudly offers the world will likely continue, even as it changes form.
Source:VnExpress: Hanoi moves to end train services through its world-famous railway coffee street
