Western tourists secretly experience coffee along the railway tracks.

Since September 2022, authorities have erected barriers in the railway-side coffee street area and deployed officers in three shifts a day to prevent people from opening illegal businesses. However, recently, coffee shops have sprung up densely along the railway line from Tran Phu Street to Dien Bien Phu Street , attracting a large number of foreign tourists. Near train departure times, the tables on both sides of the tracks are almost always full.

Despite the "No walking, standing, or sitting on the railway tracks" signs placed at both ends of the station, many tourists still ignore the warning.

Many people comfortably sat on the train tracks. "I think that while the train is still waiting, we can take advantage of the opportunity to experience this interesting space for a while," said Taranpreet Singh (from India).

The bilingual English-Vietnamese prohibition signs posted at both ends of Tran Phu and Dien Bien Phu streets appear to be ineffective.

Some other street vendors also take advantage of the absence of law enforcement to operate.

When the sirens of the traffic police echoed in the distance, the scene at the street cafes along the railway tracks became chaotic. Many cafe owners hurriedly cleared away tables and chairs, inviting customers inside.

Some other establishments even pulled their doors down to avoid detection by law enforcement.

Tourists sit and enjoy their coffee in a rather secretive manner. When police officers pass by, many shop owners pull their doors open.

Some tourists waited for the security forces to leave before going closer to the train tracks to film and take photos.

Authorities discovered that a house was completely full of customers drinking coffee. They were immediately asked to leave the area.

At the level crossing, a joint task force is constantly on duty to ensure no one enters or exits the train crossing area. However, some tourists still managed to find their way inside through a small alley in a nearby neighborhood.

Tourists crowded behind the barriers at Tran Phu station after being asked to leave the restricted area by authorities. Many expressed disappointment at having waited a long time to see the train but being unable to do so.

A couple of tourists who tried to push their way through the barrier were given an explanation by the security forces and asked to leave.

Isamu Yanoi (from Japan) and his girlfriend took a commemorative photo in front of the barrier. "I'm a little disappointed, but to ensure the safety of tourists, this is reasonable," he said.

Many tourists, after being asked to leave the railway area by authorities, lingered in another area to watch the train run. For many foreigners, this is one of the exciting experiences not to be missed when visiting Hanoi.

Since September 2022, authorities have erected barricades in the railway-side cafe area. The Hoan Kiem District People's Committee temporarily closed the railway-side cafes and revoked licenses for businesses violating railway safety regulations in the relevant wards. Also in September 2022, the Vietnam Railway Corporation continued to submit a document to the Hanoi People's Committee and the Vietnam Railway Authority requesting a definitive solution to the issue of vendors and photographers operating at railway-side cafes, which is affecting railway traffic safety.

Source