If you’re looking for a quiet respite from the crowded tourist spots of Hanoi, Vietnam, but would still like to soak in some art and culture, head to Phung Hung Mural Street in the Old Quarter. Introverts (or ambiverts like myself), you’ll love this spot.

 

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A post shared by Kate Alvarez (Kate Was Here) (@replikate)

It’s not the entire street of Phung Hung (or Pho Hang Ma) that’s filled with murals, but a 200-meter section that starts at the corner of Hang Cot and Phung Hung. The artworks were first unveiled to the public in 2018, and some pieces have undergone repainting and renovation because of wear and tear.

There, you can walk and admire the murals and art installations in peace. Read the signs next to the artworks to learn about the Vietnamese and South Korean artists and their key messages. Keep an eye out for more discreet details of the artworks.

I went on a Wednesday afternoon and there were hardly any people. A few visitors came and went quickly, and I had the spot mostly to myself. It was my last day in Vietnam, and I needed a break from all the adventurous, tourist-heavy itineraries. This was what the doctor ordered.

I also noticed the train track right above the street. At exactly 3:20pm, the train passed. It’s the same one I waited hours to see at the famous Le Duan Train Street days before.

Turns out this is the alternative Train Street that the backpackers have been talking about—the one that isn’t as popular as the one in Le Duan. No need to book a walking tour or save a spot in a coffee shop (not that I mind as I loved the cat-themed café I found in Le Duan). On Mural Street, you just sit on one of the benches, look up, and wait for the train to whizz by. Check the train schedule here.

In true Hanoi fashion, there are several cafés and restaurants in this area of the Old Quarter. I picked Phe La, the popular corner café right across the murals. What a great way to cap my last day in Vietnam.