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Hanoinews
Oct 10, 2019 / 17:05

Desolated railway cafes in Hanoi before the closure deadline

Ha An - Duy Khanh

In contrast to yesterday when tourists and locals flocked to the railway at the stretch of Phung Hung street to snap the very last photos, fewer people are at the site this morning.

As the closure deadline for the railway coffee shops in downtown is drawing nearer, several owners have shut down their businesses, leaving a once bustling quarter a deserted area.

The closure deadline was set for the last weekend but later extended to October 12. 
 
Some cafés closed their businesses.
Some cafés closed their businesses.
In contrast to yesterday when tourists and locals flocked to the railway at the stretch of Phung Hung street to snap the very last photos, fewer people are at the site this morning because some barriers along the corridors have been erected and most of the businesses were closed. 

Last Sunday, a train had to make an emergency stop soon after leaving Hanoi railway station to avoid hitting tourists, state media said. The next day, the city’s authorities ordered the coffee shops to close  by Saturday to “ensure traffic safety”, at the request of the transport ministry.

The railway has been considered an attraction of the capital city among foreign and domestic tourists seeking the exotic experience of standing just half a meter from the running train or taking selfies and sipping  coffee. 

As a result, the decision on the closure of the site has been an arguable issue among the public when it comes to tourism development and the safety of locals and visitors to the city.

Some photos at the sight: 
 
The unfamiliar scene of
The unfamiliar scene of a once bustling quarter becomes a deserted area now. 
Just a few people at a café by the side of the railway.
Just a few people at a café by the side of the railway.
The railway is cleared of people taking selfies.
The railway is cleared of people taking selfies.
View from a balcony of a closed-down café.
View from the balcony of a closed-down café.
Local presses take picture of the last foreign visitors standing right on the railway.
Local presses take picture of the last foreign visitors standing right on the railway.
A reporter and a local public security staff exchange information about the closure of the bussinesses along the stretch of the railway.
A reporter and a local public security staff exchange information about the closure of the bussinesses along the stretch of the railway.

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