Instead of allowing residents to continue living along the railway with high safety risks, experts suggest that Hanoi could relocate them to safer areas while preserving the architecture and ambiance of Train Street as a tourist attraction.

Located across Cua Nam, Hang Bong, and Cua Dong Wards (Hoan Kiem District) and partially in Dien Bien Ward (Ba Dinh District), Train Street has become a top check-in spot for international tourists visiting Hanoi in recent years.

Given its growing popularity, Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has repeatedly urged Hanoi authorities to tighten regulations and prevent tourism activities that compromise safety along the national railway.

The Hanoi People’s Committee has also issued directives to completely eliminate businesses encroaching on the railway corridor and ensure public safety.

Train Street remains a tourist hotspot despite restrictions

Local authorities have taken several measures to curb tourism activities at Train Street, including:

Installing prohibition signs

Setting up barriers

Deploying security personnel at the entrances on Tran Phu and Phung Hung Streets

However, these efforts have failed to deter visitors, and the area continues to attract large crowds.

According to Trinh Hoang Tung, Vice Chairman of Hoan Kiem District, around 78 households currently reside within the railway protection corridor and traffic safety zone across Cua Nam, Cua Dong, and Hang Bong Wards.

“These residents primarily rely on tourism-related businesses, particularly coffee shops and beverage stalls, which have flourished since 2018 in Hang Bong and Cua Dong Wards. However, these businesses pose significant safety risks,” Tung stated.

Proposals for relocation or railway rerouting

To resolve the safety concerns, Nguyen Xuan Minh, Vice Chairman of Dien Bien Ward, suggested two main solutions:

Relocating the railway out of Hanoi’s urban center

Evacuating residents living along the railway corridor

Agreeing with this perspective, Trinh Hoang Tung emphasized that relocating the railway would be the most definitive solution to eliminate safety hazards. However, as this is a national railway, its relocation would require a comprehensive plan for Vietnam’s entire railway system, along with significant financial resources.

The issue was also raised by Nguyen Thanh Hai, Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Delegate Affairs Committee, during a meeting on March 10 to discuss amendments to the Railway Law.

Citing the bustling tourism activity on Train Street and the dense housing along Giai Phong Street, she noted that relocating households from the railway corridor would demand substantial financial investment.

According to reports, more than 80 households in Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh Districts have lived there since before the Land Law and Railway Law took effect. Many of these homes originally belonged to railway workers.

“These families have lived along the railway for decades, with their only access being the railway track itself. Completely shutting down Train Street cafés presents significant legal and logistical challenges. Any relocation plan would require adequate compensation and resettlement solutions,” Tung explained.

Locals open to relocation if given alternatives

Duong Thi Thuy Hanh, a local café owner, stated that her family has lived there for three generations, relying entirely on their small business for income.

“We’re willing to move if the government provides resettlement housing and alternative livelihoods,” she said.

Should Train Street cafés be removed or regulated for tourism?

Tourism expert Duong Van Tien, CEO of a travel and hospitality company, believes Train Street holds significant cultural and economic value for Hanoi.

“This is a one-of-a-kind tourist attraction that draws both domestic and international visitors. The question is: Should we completely remove it, leave it as is, or find a balanced solution?” he asked.

Tien suggested that Hanoi could officially designate Train Street as a regulated tourism zone, similar to how other cities manage unique sites like Maeklong Railway Market in Thailand or historical districts that coexist with modern development.

“Tourism isn’t just about entertainment - it’s also about preserving cultural heritage and creating sustainable economic opportunities for the local community,” Tien noted.

Rather than allowing residents to continue living in unsafe conditions, Hanoi could relocate them to safer areas while maintaining the Train Street architecture for tourism.

“Hanoi should transform Train Street into an official tourist attraction with clear regulations on operating hours, safety measures, and business guidelines. Instead of forcing residents out without alternatives, authorities could integrate them into the tourism industry, allowing them to continue their businesses safely,” Tien concluded.

Tours of coffee shops along Hanoi train street prohibited

In lieu of the dangerous train traffic at the site, the Hanoi Department of Tourism said on April 4 that it has asked businesses offering tourism and transport services in the city not to launch tours of the train street, a popular destination for many foreign visitors.