The Hanoi Department of Construction and other relevant agencies will be responsible for developing and implementing plans for passenger transfers between Hanoi station and Gia Lam station, and vice versa. This adjustment means the "train street" cafe area, situated on the railway section between Hanoi station and Long Bien station, will no longer have passenger trains operating.

This initiative is part of a request from the Hanoi People's Committee (UBND) to the Ministry of Construction, urging Vietnam Railways to implement these changes.

Alongside the proposed train route adjustments in the city center, the Hanoi UBND has also requested the Ministry of Construction to transfer national railway infrastructure assets for the section between Gia Lam station and Hanoi station. This transfer, anticipated by Q2/2026, will allow the city to proceed with renovating and improving the historical and cultural spaces in the western Hanoi Old Quarter and the eastern Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

Concurrently, the city will explore architectural plans for metropolitan railway line number one, ensuring its path through the old quarter and ancient neighborhoods does not compromise the spatial structure or landscape of the heritage area.

A train passing through the "train street" cafe area. *Photo: Hoang Giang*

The city UBND explained that this proposal aims to preserve and enhance the historical value of Long Bien Bridge, integrating it with the development of cultural, service, and tourism spaces within the 131 stone arch sections along the railway segment from Hanoi station to Long Bien station.

To achieve this, Hanoi collaborated with the Economic Department – French Embassy in Vietnam to launch the technical support project, "Research on Long Bien Bridge Renovation". This project encompasses surveying and comprehensively assessing the bridge's current condition, proposing renovation solutions to ensure traffic safety, and developing strategies to enhance its heritage value.

The Hanoi UBND directed various departments to develop plans for preserving and enhancing the historical significance of Long Bien Bridge. These plans are integrated with creating cultural, service, and tourism spaces within the 131 stone arch sections of the Hanoi – Dong Dang railway line, spanning along Phung Hung, Gam Cau, and Long Bien streets.

This area is slated for integrated development, aligning with the capital's historical, cultural, and architectural heritage. It serves as a crucial link between the western Hanoi Old Quarter and the eastern Thang Long Imperial Citadel, closely connected to Long Bien Bridge. The bridge itself is a historical, cultural, and architectural symbol of the capital, often described as a "living museum" deeply embedded in the lives and memories of Hanoi residents.

The establishment of cultural, commercial, service, and tourism spaces—encompassing entertainment, cuisine, and heritage experiences—integrated with the preservation and promotion of Long Bien Bridge and its southern approach, is deemed essential. This initiative aims to balance heritage conservation with urban economic development, ultimately enhancing Hanoi's standing, identity, and competitiveness.

Since 2018, cafes have emerged along the railway tracks spanning Le Duan, Kham Thien, Tran Phu, and Phung Hung streets, located on the segment between Hanoi and Long Bien stations. These establishments have consistently drawn many domestic and international tourists. Despite existing prohibitions and fixed barriers at the entrance of Tran Phu street, thousands of visitors daily still manage to access the area to witness trains passing extremely close to homes. Vietnam Railways has repeatedly urged the Hanoi UBND to definitively resolve the ongoing violations of railway safety regulations in this vicinity.

Anh Duy