Hanoi Train Street Draws Tourists Despite Safety Shutdown Attempts

Hanoi's famous Train Street, a narrow railway track lined with cafes, has become a popular tourist attraction despite repeated government efforts to close it due to safety concerns. The colonial-era railway, built by the French in the early 1900s and damaged during the Vietnam War, now runs trains at slow speeds of about 10 km/h, creating an adrenaline-filled experience for visitors who stand just inches from the passing locomotives. This once rundown and dangerous neighborhood, previously known for drug use and squatters, has transformed into a cleaner and safer area thanks to tourism, which has brought lucrative business to local cafes. The state-owned Vietnam Railways Corporation continues to operate the old metre-gauge tracks primarily used by budget travelers, while Vietnam plans a future $67 billion high-speed rail connecting north and south. Social media has played a significant role in popularizing Train Street globally, drawing thrill-seeking tourists eager to capture the unique spectacle. Despite safety fears, local business owners argue the area should be preserved and developed rather than shut down.