Police ask hundreds of foreign tourists to leave Hanoi’s ‘trackside café street’ for safety

This location—on Phung Hung and Tran Phu Streets, at the border of Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh Districts—is a popular spot for young people and international tourists, despite a ban on commercial and sightseeing activities there since September 2022.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, the site became overcrowded, with many people gathering to sip coffee dangerously close to the railway while taking photos—including selfies—as trains passed by.

They were drawn by the thrill of drinking coffee next to the tracks while waiting for oncoming trains.

Despite the ban, several cafés continued operating clandestinely to serve guests, most of whom were foreigners.

Although barriers, warning signs, and filming restrictions were in place, many tourists still accessed the location.

Some café owners even placed chairs right next to the tracks and kept serving customers until enforcement arrived.

During the inspection, police officers explained the potential risks to café owners and guests, then requested hundreds of foreign visitors and locals away from the potential hazardous zone.

Those who deliberately refused to comply—including tourists who failed to leave and cafés operating illegally—received formal warnings and were required to sign pledges not to repeat the offense.

This intervention followed a widely circulated video showing a foreign male tourist narrowly avoiding being hit by a passing train while filming with his phone.

According to the clip, on Friday evening, many tourists sat right next to the tracks in the trackside café street area to experience the thrill of a passing train.

As the train approached, the driver sounded the horn three times as a warning. 

While filming, the tourist slipped and fell toward the oncoming train. 

Thankfully, nearby visitors pulled him away just in time, averting disaster.

The incident caused panic among witnesses.

Samir Mehta, a 38-year-old Indian traveler, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that he learned about the trackside café street through social media.

"When I arrived, I realized everything had developed randomly, so the government's concern for visitor safety is justified," he said, adding that the area would benefit from proper management or safety measures.

He also suggested that Hanoi invest in more nighttime attractions and entertainment to retain visitors and encourage longer stays.

Hoan Kiem District authorities have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement and imposed fines on businesses operating along the tracks; however, the problem persists, according to news site Vietnamnet.

In September 2022, Vietnam Railway Corporation and local authorities installed barricades, warning signs, and checkpoints to restrict access, but tourists continue to flock there for the thrill.

In early March 2025, the Hanoi Department of Tourism issued a directive instructing tour operators and transport services not to bring visitors to this area in order to maintain safety and public order.