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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Foreign tourist nearly crushed by train on Hanoi's cafe street, viral video sparks outrage
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. A post shared by MS News (@mustsharenews) 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.'
South China Morning Post
11-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China's defence chief Dong Jun to visit Vietnam for military exchange and joint patrol
Vietnam will host Defence Minister Dong Jun for a military exchange next week, marking his second visit to the country in four months as China seeks to strengthen ties with its Southeast Asian neighbours amid tensions in the South China Sea and an escalating tariff war with the US. Advertisement A week-long military exchange between the two countries began on Friday, according to China's defence ministry. Vietnam announced earlier that Dong would visit the country on Thursday of next week. The exchange activities will coincide with President Xi Jinping's state visit to Vietnam from Monday to Tuesday. According to Beijing, the activities are part of the annual China-Vietnam joint military exchange to be held near the Friendship Pass border crossing straddling northeastern Vietnam and southern China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Dong and his Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Giang are expected to meet and watch the 38th joint naval patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin, according to news site VietNamNet. Advertisement The visits by Xi and Dong come amid persistent tensions in the South China Sea, where Beijing has overlapping territorial claims with several Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam and the Philippines. China aims to strengthen military relations with Vietnam to help the two sides address security challenges and maintain stability in the region.
