The 5 Best Hanoi Train Journeys

1.Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 857 reviews · from $18Our pick

Spend 3 to 4 hours tasting bun cha, spring rolls, banh mi, pho, sticky rice ice cream, and other Hanoi favorites. Meet at 38 Bat Su Street, or arrange Old Quarter pickup if eligible. Guides such as Tom, Sarah, Stella, Chloe, and Long lead the food stops and Train Street visit, where you may watch a train pass with a drink in hand.

“We had a fantastic tour with our guide Zoey. Great food, drink and lots of fun. Nice sized group of 10 people. Highlight was that we got to experience two trains coming through train street! Wow! Company were really responsive to the messages we sent which was very helpful.”

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2.Hanoi Jeep Tour: Red River Countryside+ Backstreet+ Train-street

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 338 reviews · from $57

See Hanoi beyond its main sights in a small group of up to six, riding a Vietnamese Army Legend Jeep with an English-speaking guide and experienced driver. The four-hour route links Red River countryside, West Lake, Bay Mau Lake, city landmarks, Train Street, and a full meal at Hidden Gem Café. Old Quarter pickup is included.

“Fantastic tour, Hui was a great guide with exceptional local knowledge. We experienced many different parts of Hanoi. Met some wonderful locals who invited us into their homes and shared food and stories of their lives. We stopped at Train Street and watched as the train passed by. Then finished our tour with a visit to The Hidden Gem Cafe where we enjoyed a lunch of delicious local cuisine. Thank you also to Mr Da for driving us safely through the streets.”

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3.Sapa: 3-Day, 3-Night Trek and Hotel with Overnight Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 64 reviews · from $212

Spend three days exploring Sapa’s hill villages, rice terraces, waterfalls, and mountain paths with local English-speaking guides such as Su Su, Ai, Mai, or Chu. The trip includes an overnight train, one Sapa hotel night, a Ta Van homestay, meals, and transport from Hanoi. Expect sturdy walking, basic village lodging, and persistent sellers along the trail.

“I had the best time in Sapa. The weather was sunny, but not hot like in Hanoi, so very comfortable for trekking. Our guide, Chu is very friendly and knowledgeable. I want to discover the daily life of local people, that's why I chose this tour to stay at homestay. Everyone was friendly and easy-going. Food was so yummy. Berths on the train look like your bed at home, so interesting and easy to sleep. Definitely recommend this tour !”

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4.Sapa Hill Tribes 2-Day Tour by Overnight Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 62 reviews · from $199

Ride an air-conditioned sleeper train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, then trek through Cat Cat, Lao Chai, Ta Van, and Giang Ta Chai. You’ll meet H’Mong, Black H’Mong, Red Dzao, Dzay, and Tay communities with a local English-speaking guide. Choose a shared four-bed cabin, private cabin, hotel, or homestay option.

“Great two-days trip through fantastic landscape and villages surrounding SaPa. Our guide - Chi talked really good English and had a lot to tell about the landscape, plants and the way of living in the remote villages in the area. We did this trekking with the best pace on tour with small group. Great food at the village in the middle of nowhere! Highly recommended!”

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5.Sa Pa Trekking 2 Days 3 Nights Homestay by Night Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $165

Travel from Hanoi to Sa Pa by night train, then trek for two days through mountain villages and rice terraces with a local guide such as Tú. You will stay one night with a Hmong family, share meals, and visit four hamlets and two ethnic communities. The group is limited to eight people.

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