On 2/3, the Ministry of Construction sent a document to the Hanoi People's Committee, proposing coordination in implementing a plan to transfer the railway section from Hanoi Station to Gia Lam Station. This initiative aims to reduce train traffic through the popular "train street" coffee area, addressing safety concerns and enhancing the area's cultural and tourism value.

To facilitate stopping freight trains and reducing the frequency of passenger and tourist trains on this section, the Ministry requested Hanoi to invest in building a passenger transfer point at Gia Lam Station. Additionally, Hanoi is urged to complete the connecting transport system at Gia Lam Station and Ha Dong Station to ensure sufficient capacity for receiving and transferring passengers once the train operation plan is adjusted.

Hanoi is also requested to develop a plan for organizing free passenger shuttle services between Hanoi Station and Gia Lam Station. Concurrently, Vietnam Railways Corporation will coordinate with the Hanoi Department of Construction to invest in and build a freight yard and access roads at Ha Dong Station, as well as a passenger transfer point in the Gia Lam Station area.

Regarding implementation progress, the Ministry of Construction proposed that the Hanoi People's Committee coordinate implementation, striving for synchronous completion before 7/2026.

The train street coffee area on the railway section between Hanoi Station and Gia Lam Station. Graphics: Tam Thao

The Ministry of Construction will also repair and upgrade infrastructure on the Bac Hong - Van Dien route (the western railway belt line). This aims to reroute freight trains, replacing the section from Hanoi Station to Gia Lam Station, and ensuring the national railway transport system remains smooth and safe.

Recently, the Ministry of Construction established an inter-agency working group to review and study a comprehensive plan for transferring national railway infrastructure assets on the section from Hanoi Station to Gia Lam Station to the management of the Hanoi People's Committee.

In January, the Hanoi People's Committee requested the Ministry of Construction to adjust train operations. Under this proposal, passenger trains from the south would stop at Hanoi Station, while those from the north would stop at Gia Lam Station. The city's rationale is to preserve and promote the historical value of Long Bien Bridge, integrating it with the development of cultural, service, and tourism spaces within the 131 stone arch sections of the bridge along the railway from Hanoi Station to Long Bien Station.

Consequently, the "train street" coffee area, located on the railway section between Hanoi Station and Long Bien Station, would no longer have passenger trains running through it. Currently, this section sees 4 pairs of passenger trains daily on the Hanoi - Hai Phong route, 2 pairs of trains on the Hanoi - Lao Cai route, and numerous freight trains.

Train street coffee shops are always crowded with tourists. Photo: Hoang Giang

Since 2018, coffee shops that sprang up along the railway tracks passing through Le Duan, Kham Thien, Tran Phu, and Phung Hung streets have attracted many domestic and international tourists. Despite a ban and fixed barriers at the beginning of Tran Phu street, thousands of visitors still enter daily to witness a train pass close to their houses. Vietnam Railways Corporation has repeatedly requested the Hanoi People's Committee to resolve the violations of railway safety corridors in this area.

Doan Loan