File photo for reference only

 

Cafés along the Hanoi Train Street at the Kham Thiem–Le Duan section have resumed placing tables beside the tracks, attracting tourists just days after authorities cleared the area for safety. More than ten establishments set up seating perilously close to the tracks on November 29, four days after police, in coordination with other officials, addressed railway safety violations.

 

On November 25, authorities removed illegal structures and required about 30 shop owners to commit to safety rules, but merchants returned with tables as soon as enforcement ended. Café owners invite tourists as they pass by, offering reassurance that customers can sit safely with staff monitoring train schedules and removing tables when necessary.

 

A German tourist, Julian, commented on feeling safe due to apparent distance from the tracks, while a Dutch tourist, Jos, found the experience satisfactory, though he noted it might not be suitable for children. The area, less decorated and less visited than the Phung Hung section, sees staff taking measures to reduce dust by pouring water on the street when trains approach.

 

Looking forward, enforcement of safety regulations remains a challenge as tourists continue to gather for the experience of close proximity to passing trains. Authorities may need ongoing inspection and stronger regulations to ensure compliance with safety standards, reported VN Express.

 

Key Takeaways

• Cafés have resumed placing tables near active tracks shortly after authorities enforced safety.
• Tourists are drawn to the experience, though some safety measures are in place.
• Continued enforcement and compliance with safety regulations remain necessary.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-12-02

 

 

 

Back in the day only the poorest of the poor lived by those tracks in Hanoi.  Now it's a tourist hot spot.  Who could have known?