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Journalism of Courage
A foreign tourist in Vietnam had a near-death experience that was captured on video and is now going viral, reigniting concerns over the safety of Hanoi’s infamous railway cafe street.
The clip, shared by Instagram page @mustsharenews, shows tourists lounging dangerously close to the railway track, which runs through a tight corridor lined with cafes. As a train approaches, the driver sounds the horn multiple times. But just as the fourth coach passes, a man – distracted by his phone – gets his knee hit by the train.
Nearby tourists immediately leap into action, pulling him back just in time. Drinks spill and furniture topples in the panic, but disaster is averted thanks to quick reflexes. The video, now with nearly a million views, has sparked alarm and anger online.
Another praised the bystander’s quick actions, saying, “God bless the dude behind him who yanked him out of the way to save his life. That’s some fast survival skills there.”
A third viewer commented, “There should be a boundary so that no one would get closer.” A fourth Instagram user said, “I mean, you get this close to the train! This answers my question if accidents like this do happen. It can. It did!”
Despite authorities declaring the area off-limits in September 2022, large crowds still continue to flock to the cafes along the railway tracks, drawn by the thrill and viral appeal of witnessing a train pass within inches of their seats.
Local residents are frustrated too. Doan Quang Hai, from Dong Da District, told VietNamNet, “After what was captured in this video, I hope authorities act decisively before a real tragedy occurs.”
Another resident, Nguyen Linh from Thanh Xuan District, criticised the continued attraction of such a risky spot for foreign tourists. “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,” she told VietNamNet.
Authorities appear to be taking the incident seriously. A representative from the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security confirmed to VietNamNet, “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 train cafe zone, which straddles Dien Bien (Ba Dinh District), Cua Nam, and Hang Bong (Hoan Kiem District), has been a popular yet controversial tourist destination for years. In October 2019, the Hanoi People’s Committee issued a strict directive to crack down on businesses operating illegally along the tracks.
Confirming the violations, Hoan Kiem District authorities stated that vendors along the railway in Phung Hung “do not meet rail safety standards.”
