How long will this "kidnapping and abandonment" continue?

Authorities in Hanoi recently conducted another surprise inspection and asked hundreds of tourists at the railway-side coffee street to leave the area to ensure safety.

During the inspection, traffic police, in coordination with local police, discovered hundreds of tourists, mostly foreigners, busily "checking in" and taking selfies at the railway-side cafe street. When the authorities suddenly appeared, the shop owners hastily packed up their tables and chairs. Hundreds of customers present at the railway-side cafe street were then asked to leave.

The inspection by authorities aims to rectify and address violations of railway traffic regulations at the railway-side coffee street, as the situation there is becoming increasingly complex, with large crowds of tourists posing potential safety risks. Remarkably, it's unclear how many inspections the authorities have conducted at the railway-side coffee street, yet the situation remains unchanged.

Over the years, with its supposedly adventurous and unique experience, many foreign tourists have flocked to the railway-side coffee street – approximately 2 km long, stretching from Le Duan Street to Tran Phu, Cua Dong, and Phung Hung streets in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The railway-side coffee street has been featured in international media, including the famous American television channel CNN. Therefore, many tourists consider it one of the must-see attractions and "check-in" spots when visiting Hanoi.

Because it was built hundreds of years ago, the railway line in this area runs close to many residential houses. These homeowners have opened cafes for tourists, especially foreigners, to experience. Therefore, traffic accidents are always a potential risk and can happen at any time. In fact, there have been cases of foreign tourists being injured due to carelessness while visiting the railway cafe street.

Some have suggested that the railway-side coffee street should be preserved, even developed into an "attractive destination" for tourists. However, to ensure traffic safety, the railway industry has repeatedly voiced its concerns and submitted written requests to relevant authorities in Hanoi to take measures to resolve the issue.

No matter how attractive a tourist destination may be, its benefits, however great, cannot compare to the safety of human lives. The Hanoi Department of Tourism recently ordered a ban on tours to the railway-side coffee street.

Resolving the issue of the railway-side coffee street is a necessary step that must be carried out in accordance with the law. To achieve this, the local authorities and law enforcement play a decisive role. If they act decisively and consistently, and address every violation, it will be difficult to see the crowded and bustling scene seen during the recent inspection. Otherwise, inspections and enforcement campaigns will simply be a case of "catching and then releasing."

Source: https://nld.com.vn/bat-coc-bo-dia-den-bao-gio-196250327211114596.htm