On June 13, the clip depicting a dangerous railway traffic incident at the café street circulated widely online.

The video shows several tourists seated along the rail corridor, waiting for a train to pass. As the train approached, the engineer blew the horn three times as a warning.

By the fourth passenger car, a male foreign tourist, engrossed in recording video on his phone, slipped and fell forward toward the moving train. Fortunately, other nearby tourists quickly pulled him back, while tables and drinks were knocked over. The incident startled and alarmed others present.

The video’s release sparked public outrage over the risky behavior and the lack of safety enforcement.

Doan Quang Hai, a resident of Dong Da District, Hanoi, said the trackside café zone has long been known for safety violations, yet some business owners continue to disregard regulations.

"After what was captured in this video, I hope authorities act decisively before a real tragedy occurs," Hai said.

Nguyen Linh, from Thanh Xuan District, criticized the area's attraction to foreign tourists despite the clear hazards.

"This sends a poor message about Vietnam’s traffic safety standards and risks leaving a bad impression on international visitors. It should be shut down," Linh asserted.

Speaking to VietNamNet, a representative from the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security said they have ordered a full investigation.

"In recent times, the traffic police, in coordination with local authorities, have carried out campaigns to educate, persuade, and take firm action against businesses encroaching on railway safety corridors. Yet some continue to evade enforcement and violate regulations," the official stated.

Hanoi’s train café street straddles three wards: Dien Bien (Ba Dinh District), Cua Nam, and Hang Bong (Hoan Kiem District). In October 2019, the Hanoi People's Committee demanded a thorough crackdown on businesses illegally operating along the tracks and endangering public safety.

Hoan Kiem District authorities affirmed that vendors along the railway in Phung Hung do not meet rail safety standards.

Dinh Hieu