Since October 10, 2019, the famous train street of Hanoi is now off-limits to tourists. Once nicknamed the selfie street, it had become far too dangerous. Given the sheer volume and concentration of visitors in such a confined and steeply sloped area, authorities decided to monitor and control access to the street. Here's what you need to know about this thoroughfare that had become one of the most popular attractions in Hanoi and Vietnam!

Hanoi's train street…

The train street is a street in Hanoi that gained fame in recent years for its railway line running through the city. Built in the 1930s for French colonists, it forms part of the Indochinese railway connecting the north and south of the country. And the reason it attracted so many visitors is that it offers an authentic and unique experience! Indeed, you'll find homes built on both sides of the railway line at extremely close proximity. When a train rumbles down this narrow street, an entire choreography unfolds. Residents remove their laundry, stow away their scooters, and clear their personal belongings before resuming their daily activities once the train has passed.

…or the selfie street!

It was precisely this spectacle that tourists came to capture on camera, making this street one of the most popular attractions in the Vietnamese capital. Over just a few years, small street shops and cafés began to flourish, offering visitors the chance to sip a coffee while watching the train pass and the locals spring into action. One thing is certain: Hanoi's train street ranks among the most photographed streets in the world. This quintessentially Instagram-worthy thoroughfare was even dubbed the "selfie street" by the American television network CNN. And inevitably, such crowds come with consequences…

Now Off-Limits to Tourists

Given the risks posed by such large crowds gathering near the rails and to prevent any accidents, the Vietnamese government took a drastic step: closing access to tourists. This decision also followed a directive from the Ministry of Transport that instructed Vietnamese authorities to urgently remove the illegal street vendors operating along the railway line to serve tourists. On October 10, 2019, warning signs and police officers could be seen monitoring access to the street. A measure that sparked discontent among many visitors and dismay among café owners who feared a significant drop in revenue. While access is now monitored, visitors can still venture onto the train street for a glimpse of the scenery!

Florine Dergelet