Foreign Tourist Nearly Hit by Train While Filming at Hanoi’s Iconic “Train Street” Café

HANOI — A foreign tourist had a near-death experience at Hanoi’s famous “Train Street” café area after becoming too focused on filming a passing train.

The incident, which was caught on video and has since gone viral on social media, shows the man losing his footing and falling toward the train as it sped by. Fortunately, nearby visitors managed to pull him back just in time, though tables and drinks were swept under the train’s wheels.

According to Vietnam’s Traffic Police Department (under the Ministry of Public Security), authorities have instructed relevant units to verify the clip and review potential violations. The footage, shared widely online, highlights ongoing safety risks along this stretch of railway where tourists often gather for the thrill of watching trains pass just inches away.

The video was reportedly filmed at night, showing large crowds seated within the railway corridor in the Train Street café zone. As a train approached, the driver sounded the horn repeatedly to warn those nearby. The foreign man, distracted while filming on his phone, slipped and fell toward the tracks, narrowly avoiding disaster thanks to the quick reactions of those around him.

The incident has sparked criticism from the public, with many condemning such reckless behavior that endangers both visitors and train operations. Officials noted that, despite ongoing efforts to enforce railway safety—including educational campaigns and crackdowns on cafés operating illegally within the railway safety corridor—some businesses continue to violate regulations under the guise of supporting local tourism.

Train Street, which spans about two kilometers through Hanoi’s Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem districts, connecting streets like Le Duan, Tran Phu, Cua Dong, and Phung Hung, has been described by international media as a “must-see” attraction. The unique setting, where trains pass just inches from houses and cafés, has drawn both fascination and concern.

In October 2019, Hanoi authorities ordered a crackdown on businesses encroaching on the railway, citing safety risks and threats to public order. More recently, the Hanoi Department of Tourism issued a directive instructing travel companies not to promote or organize tours to the Train Street café area.

Related

Source: Vietnam Insider