On the morning of 28/1, a representative from Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Ward Police announced a fine of 2,5 million dong against Ms. Phuong Anh, owner of a cafe on Kham Thien train street, for placing materials and goods within the railway protection area.

Previously, on the evening of 26/1, a video circulated across community groups, showing a female customer from the cafe sitting approximately 50 cm from the edge of the railway tracks, waiting for a train to pass to film it.

While the video showed no collision, the tourist's actions angered many due to the inherent danger. Mr. Hoang Anh, who has visited both Kham Thien and Phung Hung train streets, noted that the section through Kham Thien is "scarier" because of the strong suction force; even standing against a wall still feels unsafe.

"To be so reckless just for a few seconds of TikTok, I don't understand what she was thinking", said Minh Toan. Ms. Phuong Anh, the cafe owner, stated that the incident occurred last year, but the customer only recently posted the video.

Previously, several incidents had occurred on both Kham Thien and Phung Hung train street sections. For example, in October 2025, a train struck and scattered tables and chairs because customers placed them too close to the tracks and reached out to take photos or videos.

Since 2018, cafes that have sprung up along the train tracks passing through Le Duan, Kham Thien, Tran Phu, and Phung Hung streets – a section of railway between Ha Noi and Long Bien stations – have consistently attracted many domestic and international tourists.

Despite prohibitions and fixed barriers at the entrance of Tran Phu street, thousands of visitors still try to enter daily to witness trains passing mere inches from houses. Vietnam Railways Corporation has repeatedly urged the Hanoi People's Committee to decisively address violations of railway safety corridors in the area.

In January 2026, the Hanoi People's Committee proposed adjusting train operations. Passenger trains from the south would stop at Ha Noi station, while those from the north would stop at Gia Lam station. Consequently, the train street cafe section located on the railway between Ha Noi and Long Bien stations would no longer have passenger trains running through it.

Hoai Anh