In the heart of Hanoi, tourists sit in lantern-lit cafes, sipping coffee only inches away from danger. Suddenly, a colonial-era train roars through at just 10 kilometers per hour, forcing people to yank their arms and legs away from the tracks. Laughter, squeals, and the click of phone cameras fill the air.
What was once a forgotten slum is now one of the Vietnamese capital’s most unusual tourist attractions — a place where fear and excitement collide.
“I felt pure adrenaline because the train was so close,” said Helena Bizonova, a visitor from Slovakia. “This is something I will never experience again in my life.”
From Slum to Social Media Star
The tracks were first laid in the early 1900s by Vietnam’s French colonizers to move goods and people across Indochina. Bombs from the Vietnam War later scarred parts of the line, but the old railway survived. Today, while Vietnam dreams of building a $67-billion high-speed rail, this narrow, meter-gauge track has become an internet sensation.
Videos of tourists squeezing into tiny cafes as trains roll past have made “Hanoi Train Street” one of the city’s hottest destinations. Authorities, however, have tried several times to shut it down over safety concerns.
Locals see it differently.
“Tourism changed everything,” said a cafe owner, waving to the crowd as a red train approached. “This street used to be rough, with squatters and drug users. Now it’s cleaner, safer, and full of life. We should not close it. It’s a unique feature of Hanoi.”
Fear Meets Fun
When the whistle blows, everyone knows what to do. Visitors shuffle back against the walls, baristas yell warnings, and the train inches through — so close you could touch it. Phones rise, capturing what has become a once-in-a-lifetime shot.
“It’s not dangerous,” insisted Slovak tourist Maria Morikova. “The staff guide you where to stand. You feel safe.”
For locals too, the street has become a source of pride. Nguyen Le Trang, who traveled from the Mekong Delta, smiled as the train thundered by: “This is the one and only specialty of Hanoi tourism. Authorities should not close it.”
A Living Attraction
Like similar train markets in Thailand and Taiwan, Hanoi’s Train Street thrives on the thrill of danger. It’s not just about coffee or photos — it’s about that unforgettable moment when your heart races, the ground trembles, and history rolls past just inches away.
For now, despite warnings, closures seem unlikely. As long as social media keeps fueling curiosity, Hanoi’s Train Street will remain a mix of danger, nostalgia, and wonder — a place where tourists come to feel alive.
