Brian Jeffrey
On June 13, a video of a perilous railway incident at the café street gained significant attention on social media.
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The footage captures a group of tourists sitting alongside the railway, awaiting a train’s arrival. As the train neared, the conductor sounded the horn three times as a caution.
During the passage of the fourth car, a male tourist, absorbed in filming with his phone, stumbled and nearly fell towards the oncoming train. Thankfully, fellow tourists nearby swiftly pulled him back, causing some tables and drinks to topple over, which alarmed others in the vicinity.
The release of the video ignited public indignation regarding unsafe practices and the lack of enforcement of safety measures.
Doan Quang Hai, a local from Dong Da District, Hanoi, remarked that the café area near the tracks has been notorious for safety issues, yet many business owners flatly ignore regulations.
“Given what this video shows, I hope the authorities take decisive action before a real disaster happens,” Hai expressed.
Nguyen Linh, hailing from Thanh Xuan District, lamented the appeal of the area to foreign visitors despite its evident dangers.
“This reflects poorly on Vietnam’s traffic safety protocols and may tarnish our reputation with international tourists. It should be closed down,” Linh emphasized.
A spokesperson from the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security told VietNamNet that they have initiated a comprehensive investigation.
“Recently, traffic police, in collaboration with local officials, have launched initiatives to educate, persuade, and take strict action against businesses infringing on railway safety zones. However, some persist in avoiding enforcement and violating rules,” the official explained.
The train café street in Hanoi spans three wards: Dien Bien (Ba Dinh District), Cua Nam, and Hang Bong (Hoan Kiem District). In October 2019, the Hanoi People’s Committee called for a thorough crackdown on establishments unlawfully operating near the tracks and jeopardizing public safety.
Authorities in Hoan Kiem District confirmed that the vendors along the railway in Phung Hung do not comply with railway safety regulations.
