"Hanoi's narrow railway track district, known as 'train street', draws travelers despite concerns for safety"

In the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam, a quarter has become a unique tourism specialty, drawing in visitors from around the world. Known for its railside cafes, this area offers an unparalleled experience, with tourists visiting to witness the thrill of moving aside for oncoming locomotives.

The railway, built by Vietnam's French former rulers in the early 1900s for transporting goods and people, has now transformed into a bustling tourist attraction. One such tourist, Maria Morikova from Slovakia, found the street safe due to the preparations made for the trains. She felt a rush of adrenaline standing close to a colonial-era locomotive in Hanoi.

The lantern-adorned tracks and cafes in Hanoi have become popular online attractions, with visitors often sharing their experiences on social media. This digital buzz has brought more visitors to the area, despite attempts by authorities to close it for safety reasons.

One of the cafes, adorned with Vietnamese flags, has become a business opportunity for an enterprising barista. The café owner, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that tourism has made the area cleaner, nicer, and safer. They advocate for utilizing the street to promote tourism, rather than closing it down.

Nguyen Le Trang, another visitor from Vietnam, considers the train street to be Hanoi's unique tourism specialty. Le Trang believes the area should not be closed by authorities, as it brings lucrative business to a former slum disregarded by the government.

The old and underdeveloped metre-gauge tracks are still managed by the state-owned Vietnam Railways Corporation. Despite the popularity of the train street, it remains a mode of transport for budget travelers in Vietnam. Visitors are warned by cafe staff to make way for the approaching train, which reassures tourists and adds to the thrill of the experience.

As Hanoi continues to grow and modernise, Vietnam aims to build a $67 billion high-speed railway linking north and south to boost infrastructure and drive growth. However, for now, the old railway in Hanoi's train street remains a testament to the city's history and a unique attraction for tourists seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience.

Thousands of tourists visit "train streets" in Thailand and Taiwan, attracted by the same thrill of moving aside for oncoming locomotives. It seems that the charm of these historic railways continues to captivate visitors, despite the advancements in modern transportation.

"Hanoi's narrow railway track district, known as 'train street', draws travelers despite concerns for safety"