Despite a recent crackdown, the cafes lining the tracks at Hanoi’s train street are bustling again.
Last Tuesday, authorities dismantled illegal canopies, seating, and other setups along the railway section between Kham Thien and Le Duan streets, VietNamNet reported.
They also asked about 30 business owners to sign pledges affirming they would comply with railway safety regulations.
By Monday morning, just a few days after the safety clearance sweep, the cafes lining the railway tracks were fully back in business, packed with both local and international tourists.
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Businesses return despite crackdowns, penalties
Police teams carried out inspections last Tuesday and Wednesday amid concerns about crowds forming inside the railway safety corridor, online newspaper Nhan Dan reported.
The outlet also noted past incidents where passing trains brushed against cafe furnishings.
Local authorities have carried out numerous enforcement rounds.
They have issued 69 penalties and almost VND55.7 million ($2,113) in fines from May 15 to June 15, yet encroachments persist, the online newspaper reported.
Photos from local media taken from 9 am to 12 pm on Monday showed hundreds of tourists crowding the railway cafes, eagerly waiting for the train to pass.
The scene has already returned to its usual state.
Crowds flowed in, phones and cameras came out, and the tracks served as a hub of business and attraction once again.
Unique, risky appeal keeps crowds and businesses coming back
This stretch, particularly around the Tran Phu-Dien Bien Phu section, has long drawn attention from both local and international media for its unique yet risky appeal.
The “train street cafe” experience is frequently promoted as a must-visit spot for tourists seeking thrills and Instagrammable moments.
Despite safety campaigns and repeated warnings from authorities, this cycle of crackdowns and quick revivals keeps playing out.
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KC Maderia 
Kamille Q. Cabreza 
John Christopher Aquino