Disappointed tourists were turned away by police and local security forces as the popular train track cafe street was closed off on October 10, following safety concerns.

The households wanted to resume their businesses after city authorities, last month, decided to close cafes along the rail lines for safety reasons, but the households said they would carry out measures to ensure safety for customers and tourists.

The deputy PM asked the authorities to carefully consider the requests.

In the long term, authorities had to set measures to move people living and doing business along the rail line out of the safety corridors. 

According to the Transport Ministry, in September, violations of rail traffic safety occurred in Hà Nội’s Hoàn Kiếm, Ba Đình, Đống Đa and Hai Bà Trưng districts.

This was due to locals and foreign tourists taking photos on the train track.

The households opened cafes next to the tracks – in most cases, a mere metre away from the rail line – which exposes the customers and visitors to elevated risk of railway accidents.

City authorities closed the cafes and banned tourists from entering and walking along the streets.

However, people argued that these business helped develop tourism and increase incomes for local people. — VNS

Visitors flock to Long Bien Bridge after popular railway off

The rail track on Long Bien Bridge is seeing an increasing number of visitors after Hanoi banned visitors from visiting the railway on Phung Hung Street.

Hanoi's railway cafe owners ask for permission to reopen business with safety measures taken

The owners pledged to comply with regulations on prohibited commercial activities within a minimum distance of 1.5 m from the railway, as well as to draw safety lines and install stainless steel bars on the front of each store and house.

Hanoi railway street becomes quiet following service ban

Business services, including coffee houses, on a Hanoi railway street have been closed by local authorities.