The Seniworld Travel account posted a video of a recent incident on Hanoi's 'train street' in Hoan Kiem ward. The footage, which quickly went viral on social media, shows a train approaching Hanoi station. Due to cafes placing tables too close to the railway tracks, a train carriage collided with a row of tables, sweeping away and breaking items. Several tourists, who were enjoying drinks and filming, reacted with panic and screams.
The video's poster highlighted the inherent risks of the area. “This highlights the need to address the proximity issue on Hanoi's 'train street',” the poster wrote, emphasizing the danger posed by the narrow space between the tracks and commercial establishments.
A representative from Hoan Kiem ward's Economic Infrastructure and Urban Department stated that they were aware of the incident and had forwarded the information to the Hoan Kiem ward police for investigation. This follows previous directives from the Hoan Kiem ward People's Committee, which had instructed the police to ensure urban order along the 'train street'.
Train hits cafe furniture on 'train street'. Video: Seniworld Travel
This is not an isolated event; the 'train street' has seen similar incidents before. In late 2024, a foreign visitor narrowly avoided being hit while filming a passing train. The area has also been a site of disputes between cafe owners and customers who visited solely to photograph the trains without purchasing services, further complicating the precarious environment.
Recognizing the escalating safety concerns, the Hanoi Department of Tourism issued a warning in 3/2025. The department requested travel agencies in the city to refrain from promoting or organizing tours to the 'train street' cafe area, citing potential traffic accident risks.
The 'train street' cafe area is situated at the border of three wards: Dien Bien (formerly Ba Dinh district), Cua Nam, and Hang Bong (formerly Hoan Kiem district). Following a recent administrative merger, the entire street is now under the jurisdiction of Hoan Kiem ward. Despite safety concerns, the unique location has been praised by many international publications as a must-visit destination in Hanoi. Local households have capitalized on this appeal by converting parts of their homes into businesses offering beverages and snacks.
Tu Nguyen
