Visiting the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Old Town in Vietnam offers a calm and pleasant experience, with its narrow streets lined with yellow-painted buildings, traditional lanterns, and a mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences that reflect the town’s long history as a trading port.
Vietnam: Hanoi – Train Street
Hanoi Train Street runs from Long Bien Station to Hanoi Central Station passing through the residential areas located on Phung Hung, Dien Bien Phu and Le Duan streets.
We had some sad personal news in the morning, and I needed something to cheer me up so Karen decided to take me down to Train Street.
This street is one of the most famous tourist spots in Hanoi. It’s a tiny narrow street hidden in one of the back streets of Hanoi and surrounded by high narrow houses packed closely together. Several times a day trains pass down this street within centimetres of these families’ backyards. Today, the street (there are a few streets like this but only one essentially open to the public) is highly commercialised, so as soon as you enter it you will be pestered by people wanting you to go to their café or bar. Along the street, these businesses set up plastic chairs right next to the railway line where you can sit and watch the train pass right in front of your nose. There are timetables of the train’s passing times, with more at the weekend, on boards outside the cafes, but you have to take those with a pinch of salt. When a train doesn’t come at the appointed time the café owners are very good at providing excuses why it didn’t come. If you are lucky though it is an interesting experience – sadly for us, we went and sat through a couple of the expected times a train would come and nothing di
Some nine months later we found ourselves back in Hanoi, so we decided to head back to Train Street to try our luck again.
It was dark when we arrived and quite busy, but we managed to find a couple of chairs and ordered two beers – which we planned to make last a long time. We sat patiently for over an hour – everyone was buzzing about whether was the train coming or not! Eventually, we were rewarded when a large goods train came rumbling down the line right by us, passing by less than 18 inches from where we were sitting. It was a little scary – but exhilarating and we were glad we’d done it!
Planning your visit to Train Street
I think the authorities would like to ban visitors to Train Street but it has become far too popular, and would probably cause a riot with the cafe and bar owners if they did. There have been some incidents with tourists getting hurt, so the police have cleverly made the business owners responsible for safety – although, personally, I would rely on your own wits.
When you arrive you will be greeted by the cafe and bar owners or their cohorts at the end of the street. They can be aggressive when trying to get you to come to their establishment. Be prepared to haggle or evade.
As we found the timetable is meaningless and the business owners don’t have more of an idea than Joe public about exactly when the trains are coming – the timetable is very loose. Be prepared to wait sometime. You’ll need to by a drink at a minimum to be allowed to sit in front of one of the bars – just make it last!
Vegan dining in Ha Noi
Finding somewhere that serves good vegan and vegetarian food in Vietnam can be challenging. Luckily, in Hanoi, there are more options for those wanting to eat plant-based meals or vegetarian dishes. Below are some ideas for restaurants with an excellent variety of vegan/vegetarian options.
1. Ưu Đàm Chay
Located in the south of Hanoi’s French Quarter, Vegan Uu Dam is an all-vegan restaurant with multiple floors and a green garden. Not all dishes here are vegan – so it is worth asking the staff to highlight those that are.
- 55 Nguyen Du Street, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
- 10h30 to 21h30
- (+84) 98 134 9898
2. Vị Lai Vegan Restaurant
Nested quietly on a lane off the Ly Thuong Kiet street of Hanoi French Quarter. Vi Lai Vegan is among the most well-known vegan restaurants for veggies in the city. The restaurant has a lovely, peaceful setting with lovely koi ponds and lily pads.
- 67 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- 9h30 to 22h00
- 0853 535 656
3. Om Hanoi: Yoga & Cafe
Om Vegan Restaurant is set in a spacious garden in the northern part of the city, it’s located between the West Lake and Red River. It serves an abundant variety of local vegan dishes.
- 62 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- 8h30 to 20h30
- (+84) 90 411 3637
4. Sadhu Vegetarian Restaurant
Vegans are also well catered to, just be sure to explain to the staff, who speak good English.
- 87 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- 10h30 to 22h0
- (+84) 98 199 5586
5. Cai Mam Bistro – Signature Vegan
For wandering around the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake or the charming Silk Street, Cai Mam Bistro – Signature Vegan could be an ideal vegan restaurant to stop by for a vegan meal.
Cai Mam offers an à la carte and a tasting set menu with innovative dishes, including walnut seeds and seaweed salad, grilled pumpkin soup, brown rice with coconut juice, and braised mushrooms.
- 05 Luong Van Can Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- 10h30 to 22h00
- (+84) 36 790 800
6. Chayfood
The ‘Chayfood’ is a vegan restaurant located on the eastern fringe of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, it’s just steps away from the famous Café Giang’s egg coffee on Nguyen Huu Huan Street, and about 5 minutes walking from the red bridge at Ngoc Son Temple.
- 66 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
- 6h00 – 22h00
Where to stay in Ha Noi
Finding somewhere that serves good vegan and vegetarian food in Vietnam can be challenging. Luckily, in Hanoi, there are more options for those wanting to eat plant-based meals or vegetarian dishes. Below are some ideas for restaurants with an excellent variety of vegan/vegetarian options.
1. The Old Quater
For travel rookies, the Old Quarter of Hanoi can be somewhat of a culture shock. It is loud, busy and chaotic. At first, you might not like it, but it is worth sticking with. Nowhere else will you be exposed so quickly to so many facets of what it means to live in Hanoi!
The streets are narrow and filled with scooters, bikes and every other form of transport possible. Crossing the street can be a bit hair-raising at first, but getting used to it can be fun.
There are plenty of shops selling mostly knock-offs of branded goods. That said a lot of the world’s clothing brands have their goods manufactured in Vietnam – so even these ‘off’ brand products can be of reasonable quality.
There are plenty of places to eat in the Old Quarter – many targeting visitors – but you can still eat here cheaply.
1. Luxury – Melia Hanoi
Located in Hanoi’s City Center, Melia Hanoi is 2133 feet from Hoan Kiem Lake and Thang Long Water Puppet Theater. It offers a casino, outdoor pool and spa. Free parking is provided.
Modern rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. A safety deposit box and tea/coffee making facilities are provided. 24-hour room service is offered daily.
2. Mid Range – Eliana Ruby Hotel & Travel
Located in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Eliana Ruby Hotel & Travel is a minutes’ walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. It features soundproofed rooms fitted with internet-accessible computers. Free WiFi is also provided.
Eliana Ruby Hotel & Travel is a 15-minute drive from Hanoi Railway and Bus Station. Noi Bai International Airport is 35 minutes away by car.
3. Budget – Hanoi Backpackers Hostel
Featuring a bar, Hanoi Backpackers Hostel & Rooftop bar is located in the center of Hanoi, a 5-minute walk from Hanoi Old City Gate. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property has a concierge service, a tour desk and currency exchange for guests.
2. The French Quarter
French Quarter Hanoi is a historic neighbourhood in Vietnam’s capital city that was built during the French colonial period. The area features beautiful French architecture, leafy boulevards, and luxurious boutiques, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals.
The French Quarter Hanoi spans approximately 800 hectares and serves as a bustling hub at the centre of the city, situated southeast of Hoan Kiem Lake. A stroll along its streets reveals a plethora of yellow-painted houses with charming Parisian street style.
1. Luxury – Capella Hanoi
Located in Hanoi and with Hanoi Opera House reachable within a 4-minute walk, Capella Hanoi provides express check-in and check-out, allergy-free rooms, a restaurant, free throughout the property and a fitness centre. Each room at the 5-star hotel has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a terrace and a bar. The hotel features an indoor pool, sauna, evening entertainment and a 24-hour front desk.
2. Mid Range – Hanoi Elpis Hotel & Spa
Located in Hanoi, a 5-minute walk from Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, Hanoi Elpis Hotel & Spa provides accommodations with a restaurant, private parking and a bar. This 3-star hotel offers room service and a tour desk. The property has a 24-hour front desk, airport transportation, a shared kitchen and free Wi throughout the property.
3. Budget – Valentine Hotel Hanoi
Conveniently set in the center of Hanoi, Valentine Hotel Hanoi provides free WiFi, a garden and free private parking for guests who drive. This 2-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and room service.
3. West Lake
Located in the northwestern center of Hanoi, the West Lake is the largest lake of the capital city, with a shore length of 17 kilometers and 500 hectares in area. It was originally a part of the nearby Red River. Frequent floods and erosions resulted in its current location nowadays.
The West Lake had many names in the past including Kim Nguu Lake, Mu Suong Lake, and Xac Cao Pond.
Along the shoreline of Hanoi’s West Lake, besides Vietnamese historical sites, there are many hotels, restaurants, and cafes built in Western architectural styles.
Below are listed some ideas of places to stay during your visit to Hanoi.
1. Luxury – GRAND HOTEL du LAC Hanoi
Located in Hanoi, a 2-minute walk from St. Joseph Cathedral, GRAND HOTEL du LAC Hanoi has accommodations with a restaurant, private parking, a fitness center and a terrace. Featuring a bar, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around an 8-minute walk from Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, 700 yards from Trang Tien Plaza and a 5-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. The property provides a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.
2. Mid Range – Sun Clover Boutique Hotel
Featuring a garden, Sun Clover Boutique Hotel is located in Hanoi in the Ha Noi Municipality region, a 9-minute walk from West Lake and 0.9 miles from Quan Thanh Temple. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a shared kitchen. There is free private parking and the property has paid airport shuttle service.
3. Budget – A25 Hotel – 30 An DươngOpens in new window
A25 Hotel – 30 An Dương is located in Hanoi about 1312 feet from Truc Bach Lake. It provides comfortable accommodations with free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms. The hotel provides an airport shuttle service on request.
Located in Central Hanoi, the hotel is also just 1.9 mi from popular attractions like the Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and the Huc Bridge. The Temple of Literature, the Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda are about 2.5 mi from the hotel.
More to Explore
