Vietnam Closes Cafes on Popular Train Street

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Vietnam Closes Cafes on Popular Train Street

hanoi train street

Vietnam Closes Cafes on Popular ‘Train Street’

In Hanoi, Vietnam, trains snake through the city’s Old Quarter, some passing just centimetres from homes, cafes and people. One section, known as “Train Street,” has been attracting tourists looking for the perfect social media photo. They have been able to walk along the tracks, enjoy a drink and watch trains move through the narrow passage, right in front of their noses.

But all that looks likely to end. In the middle of September 2022, local officials stopped visitors from walking along a large part of the street, and told cafes to close. The news may not have been a surprise. Businesses were also told to close in October 2019, and had only recently begun to reopen.

The street has been described as an accident waiting to happen. And it’s easy to see why, with tourists taking photos on the tracks as trains approach. On weekdays, only a few trains pass along the street each day. There are more on weekends.

Officials have said that the street is dangerous, but cafe owners are unhappy, and say they have been helping to keep visitors safe.

One owner told Agence France-Presse: “When it was time for the train to pass by, we asked all guests to move in, there was no danger at all.”

At least one cafe used loudspeakers to tell people when a train was coming. Businesses on the street hope to work with officials to find a solution so they can open their doors to tourists once again.

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Oscar

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Oscar is 29 years old, LGBT friendly and speaks English & Vietnamese.

He is an experienced guide since 2015. Oscar says “he loves meeting guests as the more he meets them the more he can share his knowledge and the more he learns as a person”. He travels from the north to the south of the country on a regular basis, so in fact he can offer tours around the whole country, even though he is based in Hanoi. He is very friendly and believes that making his guests happy makes him happy.

Tony

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Tony is 27 years old, LGBT friendly and speaks French, English & Vietnamese.

He is an experienced guide, especially for those who are passionate about different cultures and who would love to know more. A very friendly guy and we guarantee you will leave Hanoi with a new friend for life. He has created some interesting tours, as below. You simply cannot experience the real Hanoi without Tony.

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