More than ten cafés operating along the Kham Thien–Le Duan train track on Nov. 29, placing chairs dangerously close to the tracks to serve customers.
This was four days after Van Mieu–Quoc Tu Giam Ward Police, in coordination with other authorities, inspected and addressed violations of railway safety regulations in the area.
Authorities on Nov. 25 removed illegal canopies, seating, and other structures at the rail section between Kham Thien and Le Duan Streets, requiring about 30 shop owners to sign commitments not to violate railway safety rules, Vietnam News Agency reported.
But vendors began setting up tables again once enforcement teams left.
Some café owners reassure customers that they could sit comfortably because their staff was standing "on guard".
When the authorities show up, the staff would immediately take away the tables and chairs, bring the customers inside, and make sure they could still watch the trains.
A tourist takes photos on the railway tracks before the train arrives.
Compared to Phung Hung section, Kham Thien area has fewer visitors.
The shops here are not decorated as prominently as the other areas.
Julian (4th, L), a German tourist, said he did not feel dangerous when sitting in a café, as the distance from his table to the tracks "seems safe."
Around noon when the train is about to arrive, a staff of a coffee shop owners pours water on the street to reduce dust dispersion.
A tourist lingers to take pictures as the train approaches, forcing a shop owner to run out and pull him off the tracks.
The cafes on the right side of the train have to move their tables and chairs to avoid collisions when the train passes.
The opposite side remains the same because the distance is safer.
Visitors are also advised to stand on the left side to watch the train pass most comfortably.
