Why was Hanoi's railway coffee street closed again?

Hanoi's railway coffee street was shut down by authorities just days after reopening. The alley sits about one meter from homes, and visitors drank coffee while trains passed. Vietnam Railways Corporation asked for a crackdown on shops violating railway safety rules, and Hoan Kiem District began enforcement on the afternoon of September 14, revoking business licenses within three days.

The strip had been closed more than two years because of the pandemic and safety violations. Drivers reported frightening moments when tourists stepped onto the tracks for photos. Barricades were set up and residents and visitors were asked to stay away. Authorities said they will study options that balance railway safety with tourism demand, a debate now drawing wide attention.

After being closed for more than two years due to the pandemic and violations of railway safety regulations, Hanoi's railway coffee street in Vietnam was forced to shut down by authorities just days after reopening. This railway alley, just about one meter from residential houses, once became a trendy check-in spot because tourists could drink coffee while watching trains pass through, but train drivers repeatedly experienced terrifying moments when tourists suddenly ran onto the tracks. The Hoan Kiem District authorities have set up barricades and revoked business licenses, leaving shop owners with no choice but to close. Local authorities said they will study solutions that balance safety and tourism needs, sparking widespread discussion among tourists and netizens.

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Recently, Hanoi's "railway coffee street," which had reopened for only a few days, was once again shut down by relevant authorities!

Vietnam Railways Corporation has submitted a written request to the Hanoi People's Committee, demanding "a thorough crackdown on coffee shops operating in violation of railway safety regulations around the northern area of Hanoi Railway Station."

The People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, stated that starting from the afternoon of September 14, relevant authorities will enforce a mandatory shutdown, and all businesses on both sides of the railway street will have their business licenses revoked, to be completed within three days at the latest.

The neighborhood committee of Hoan Kiem District has established railway safety corridors in the areas where multiple coffee shops are located, and called on residents and tourists not to go there for photos, to avoid chaos and traffic safety problems.

After being closed for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and violations of railway safety regulations, Vietnam's railway street reopened to tourists, with a growing number of visitors coming to visit and stay. Due to the still significant risk of traffic accidents, the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport decided to suspend the operations of these coffee shops and stores.

Relevant authorities in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, have set up barricades at the entrances to the railway street, prohibiting tourists from entering the Phung Hung, Dien Bien Phu, and Tran Phu railway sections. Many unsuspecting tourists arrived at the railway coffee street only to find the road blocked by police and had to leave disappointed. Some, unable to enter the railway street, stood outside to take photos as keepsakes, not wanting to have made the trip for nothing.

Since 2018, the area north of Hanoi Station began to see foreign tourists visiting and taking photos on the railway, especially when trains passed, due to strong demand. After that, residential houses on both sides opened coffee shops, restaurants, and stores to attract travelers, and the railway street gradually became a popular local "trendy check-in spot."

This railway track is actually a small alley entrance, only about one meter away from the residential houses on both sides. During business hours, many shop owners placed tables and chairs beside the tracks for customers, only clearing them when the train was about to arrive. This behavior posed a huge risk to the personal safety of travelers.

The railway track has signs reminding travelers not to walk or linger on the tracks, but many travelers still stop on the tracks to take photos, only moving away when the train arrives.

Although no accidents have been reported on the railway street, according to local media, while tourists are happy sitting on both sides of the railway drinking coffee, train drivers have many complaints. Every time they pass through this area, they must drive below the regulated speed, making drivers very nervous. Emergency braking incidents have occurred many times, which is extremely dangerous.

According to media reports, a Hanoi train driver, Mr. Nam, still remembers his terrifying moment. At that time, the train was traveling from Hanoi Station to Hai Phong City. When the train reached Phung Hung Street, he saw an Asian female tourist suddenly step onto the tracks and turn around to take a selfie with the train.

Out of reflex, he immediately sounded a long horn, but the tourist did not move, so Mr. Nam was forced to brake hard. Fortunately, the train stopped about 3 meters from the female tourist. afterward, the female tourist walked off the tracks as if nothing had happened.

Such terrifying moments have happened three times this month, so "the pressure on drivers is enormous. Tourists often stand very close to the tracks, only 30-40 centimeters from the train. A slight scrape could lead to unimaginable consequences."

In response to the above issues, the local government and railway company have carried out rectification work many times in the past to address railway safety violations in the area and achieved positive results, and it was closed for more than two years due to the pandemic.

Now that the pandemic situation has improved, the railway coffee street has become lively again. After reopening, safety hazards still exist, and tourists are coming in an endless stream, posing a great risk of traffic accidents. Suspending business operations and sealing off the area is currently the better choice; otherwise, there would be a huge safety hazard for tourists!

Tourists are not allowed to enter, and the shop owners must feel helpless and sad, because this effectively cuts off their income. Now, the coffee shops on both sides of the railway street have closed one by one, and the railway street has become empty again.

After the closure of the "Railway Street" attraction, it sparked heated discussion among netizens. Many netizens left comments saying that this tourism service, which brings a novel experience, should be retained. But some netizens also said that Railway Street is too narrow. Although many people are willing to drink coffee while enjoying the scene of trains passing through, safety must still be the priority no matter what.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, deputy head of Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, said that a large number of reports had been received, and in response to the demands of residents and the opinions of tourists, they will coordinate with relevant units to formulate the most suitable solution according to the train schedule, hoping the area can become a safe tourist attraction!

Image source: Internet

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.