On the morning of September 19, the NZ Herald (New Zealand) reported that "Cafes on Hanoi's train street were ordered to close, and fines were proposed for those who came to take photos." Writer Thomas Bywater of this newspaper called this a risky dining area.
However, its appeal is undeniable. The hashtag #TrainStreet on a social media platform shows that more than 40,000 photos have been taken here. In fact, this is not the first time the train street has been closed. However, some people have secretly reopened it in the hope of making money when international tourists return to Vietnam.
Train street continues to be cleared. Photo: CNN
"The 100-meter-long cafes along the narrow-gauge railway have become a top tourist attraction in the capital Hanoi. However, the small space is not enough to accommodate both the train and the tourists. Authorities have ordered them to be closed to ensure safety," Bywater wrote.
Previously, on September 16, France24 (France) also interviewed tourists who visited the train street. Most of the opinions expressed disappointment at the decision to close the famous street.
Jay Arriola, from England, was told about the neighborhood by his girlfriend. He planned to go to the highest cafe to get a better view of the train passing. Besides, staying higher up would be a safer option.
"I was quite disappointed when I heard it was closed," he told France24.
Many shop owners are unhappy with the decision to close. Photo: Unsplash
Meanwhile, shop owners are not happy about the decision to close. Nguyen Thi Thu, a shop owner here, told AFP they have more income thanks to the return of tourists. On the other hand, shop owners are conscious of ensuring safety when the ship arrives.
"When the train passes, we ask passengers to stand up. There is no danger at all," Thu said.
Lilit Marcus of CNN Travel (USA) also emphasized that there were many mixed opinions about closing this neighborhood in 2019. However, at this time, the government is taking tougher measures such as revoking the business licenses of cafes along the train street.
