Photo courtesy of Thai PBS

 

In Hanoi, tourists thrill to the sight of trains brushing past them as they crowd into narrow cafes lining the tracks. But this bustling attraction, known as "Train Street," may soon face closure due to safety concerns from authorities.

 

Once a neglected part of Hanoi, the area has transformed into a vibrant hotspot, largely thanks to social media. Tourists like Helena Bizonova from Slovakia describe the experience as unparalleled, with the colonial-era train passing mere inches away, creating a rush of adrenaline.

 

Built in the early 1900s by French colonial rulers, the railway is part of Vietnam's historic infrastructure. Though damaged during the Vietnam War, the tracks remain operational, managed by the Vietnam Railways Corporation. They're a lifeline for budget travellers in a country eyeing a $67 billion upgrade to a high-speed railway system.

 

Despite safety concerns, local businesses argue that tourism has improved the area. Once known for drug use and squatting, it's now seen as cleaner, nicer, and safer. A cafe owner, preferring anonymity, told AFP that leveraging the street’s unique appeal is key to promoting tourism.

 

Similar attractions exist in Thailand and Taiwan, where visitors are drawn to the thrill of skirting past trains. In Hanoi, cafes festooned with lanterns and Vietnamese flags warn patrons of approaching trains. Slovakian tourist Maria Morikova insists the experience feels controlled and safe, with clear instructions from staff.

 

However, the government remains concerned. Safety issues continue to prompt discussions on closing Train Street despite its popularity and economic impact. Local visitor Nguyen Le Trang calls it a unique attraction in Hanoi, urging authorities to consider its cultural value over closure.

 

For now, the future of Hanoi's Train Street hangs in the balance, poised between its undeniable charm and pressing safety considerations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2025-09-01

 

That's a shame, as I never sat there. (Went only once to Hanoi in early 2020 when everything was closed thanks to Covid-19...)

On 9/1/2025 at 6:45 PM, snoop1130 said:

they crowd into narrow cafes lining the tracks.

 

I have been there.

I often wondered if micro-splashes of contaminated water would enter my coffee when someone on the train used and flushed the toilet!

2 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

I have been there.

I often wondered if micro-splashes of contaminated water would enter my coffee when someone on the train used and flushed the toilet!

Would be a massive shame if they closed this, such an iconic thing to go and see.

 

Not sure I fancy having a coffee either.  Reminded me of a Billy Connolly joke on this...