Overview
Photograph the train street away from the tourists We were the first tour company ever to bring guests to Hanoi’s now famous train street. Back in 2012, we’d just encounter the locals who lived alongside the tracks, and of course the trains that rumbled through every once in a while. Our little tour made such a splash that we ended up talking about it on Discovery and the Travel Channel, and some of our guests even had their pictures published in international media. Now, of course, peak times find this special little corner of Hanoi crammed with foreign travellers, and most of the local homes have been converted into cafes and bars. In October 2019, the city government decided to close off the train street to visitors. As luck would have it, we were already developing a new Hanoi On the Tracks tour, in a different part of the city. Now you can experience the real local atmosphere of life along Hanoi’s railway, without all the tourist cafes and instagrammers. And yes, you’ll still get to shoot the train rolling between the houses! You’ll also explore markets, lakes, parks full of people exercising, and try some delicious street food while following the tracks. Along the way, you’ll learn how to create a photographic story using different types of image and how to manipulate the settings on your camera depending on the kind of picture you want to take, the light, and how fast your subject (ie the train) is moving. Just please keep the actual locations to yourself – we need to keep this one quieter than the last!
What you will be doing
We’ll also explore an early morning market and the activities around the inner city residential lakes which provide fantastic opportunities for portraiture and some very unique street photography.
Where we'll meet
🧭 Meeting/pick-up point: We will pick you up from your hotel
🗺️ Instructions: We will pick you up from your hotel
Things to know
Accessibility:
Not wheelchair accessible
Fitness requirement
Any fitness level
Tour Language
English
License requirement
None
Additional information:
The tour runs from 5:30 to 9:30am, beginning near Hanoi Railway Station.
Bring your own camera, with a fully charged battery, wide-angle or zoom lenses
Inclusion ✅
Pick up and drop off transport
Tour guide
Exclusion ❌
Gratuities
About your host
Vietnam in FocusWe run acclaimed private and small-group photo tours throughout north, central and south Vietnam. Whether you are a beginner, serious amateur or professional photographer, we can help you to capture incredible shots, and enjoy an unforgettable, authentic experience of this fascinating country. Our photo tours have been recommended by Lonely Planet, The Guardian and Le Petit Fute, as well as holding a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor for over a decade. We are officially licensed by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to run tours and workshops, and have led groups from National Geographic and the Travel Channel. We also love to make a difference. We work with local NGOs like Peace House Shelter, Change, and the Centre for Women and Development to raise awareness about social and environmental challenges in Vietnam.
For every trip booked, Kodama Travel donates £1 to Just One Tree to restore our forests and the ocean.



