On March 24, officers from the Hanoi Traffic Police Department, in coordination with local ward police, conducted a sudden inspection to address violations of railway traffic safety regulations at the railway coffee street.

Upon arrival, authorities discovered that many cafes and shops were encroaching on the railway safety corridor. As soon as shop owners spotted the presence of law enforcement, they hurriedly cleared tables and chairs and temporarily closed their businesses.

Foreign tourists who were inside the establishments were also asked to leave to ensure their safety.

Tourists drawn to risky spots

Many international tourists gathered near the railway tracks to watch passing trains, despite the safety risks.

One visitor, Kim Hee Joon (28), a South Korean tourist traveling with a group of seven on a 10-day trip to Vietnam, shared that many South Koreans had posted vibrant photos of the railway street on social media, inspiring their visit.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai from Road Traffic Police Team No. 1, under the Hanoi Traffic Police Department, noted that despite numerous previous crackdowns, some shop owners continued to illegally set up tables and sell goods within the railway safety corridor.

He emphasized that the department would continue to work with local ward police to remind and strictly handle violations to prevent traffic accidents, especially along the railway coffee street section from Phung Hung to Le Duan.

Statistics from the Traffic Police Department indicate that each month, between 47 and 50 cases of railway traffic safety violations are handled at the railway coffee street.

Authorities also issue fines to shop owners who place items within the railway safety corridor, with administrative penalties of approximately 2.5 million VND (about $105).

Dinh Hieu