One of Vietnam’s Hottest Instagram Spots Shut Over Safety Fears — Again

Authorities in Vietnam’s capital have ordered the temporary closure of one of the city’s most popular attractions, a 300-meter stretch of railway narrowly bordered by cafes, restaurants and shops.

Officials in Hanoi’s downtown Hoan Kiem district announced the move late Wednesday, blaming safety violations raised by the national railway, and said all shops in the area have to close in the next three days. It wasn’t immediately clear how long the shutdown would last.

The controversy is the latest twist in the uncertain life of a landmark that has faced repeated threats due to clashes between small businesses and the local government. It’s also a sign of the Southeast Asian nation’s cautious embrace of foreign visitors as regional neighbors rush to rebuild tourism industries decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Hanoi Train Street, as it’s popularly known, first attracted the ire of the municipal government in 2019. Tourists who typically throng the street taking selfies or seeking to catch a glimpse of a train passing just in front of them were blocked by barricades erected by the authorities and a deadline was set for the closure of cafes surrounding the track due to safety concerns. Authorities ultimately eased their crackdown after a backlash from local businesses which said that tourism revenue would be hit hard by the decision.

The pandemic then led to the area turning quiet for about two years, amid lockdowns and virus restrictions. But in defiance of authorities, businesses began gradually reopening in March after the country relaxed its border curbs.