State-owned operator Vietnam Railways said the plan would require passengers travelling north to make an extra 10km transfer from central Hanoi to Gia Lam Station.
The detour could add between 30 and 40 minutes to journeys and raise transport costs, affecting thousands of passengers each day, VnExpress reported.
Travellers arriving in Hanoi from the south could also face delays if they are required to transfer by road to continue on northbound routes.
Infrastructure constraints remain another concern.
Gia Lam Station does not have enough platforms and facilities to handle a sharp increase in passenger volumes if multiple services are diverted there each day.
The Vietnam Railway Authority said that it is working with the Vietnam Railways Corporation to assess the proposal’s impact before submitting feedback to the city authorities.
Raising cultural concerns, Mr Nguyen Van Quyen, chairman of the Vietnam Automobile Transport Association, told VnExpress that trains running through central Hanoi are not just a mode of transport but part of the city’s historical and cultural identity.
He warned that removing passenger trains from the corridor would diminish the appeal of landmarks such as Long Bien Bridge and the railway cafe area, which have become popular with visitors.
He urged the city to instead retain passenger rail services while strengthening safety measures at level crossings and easing congestion in the city centre.
For the city government, the proposal is part of a broader plan to preserve and enhance the historical and cultural value of the railway corridor, particularly around the iconic Long Bien Bridge, which also carries rail traffic, Asia News Network reported.
Hanoi also plans to develop cultural, service and tourism spaces around the 131 stone railway arches beneath the elevated track running from Hanoi Station to Long Bien.
Some of the arches have already been partially repurposed as art spaces and cafes in recent years.
SAFETY CONCERNS
This is not the first time Hanoi’s railway cafe street has come under scrutiny over safety concerns.
This latest development is another chapter in the uncertain future of the landmark, which has repeatedly been caught between the interests of small businesses and the authorities.
The street first drew the attention of city officials in 2019, when barricades were erected and cafes along the track were ordered to shut over safety risks.
The crackdown was later eased following backlash from businesses, which warned that the move would deal a heavy blow to tourism revenue.
The area fell quiet for about two years during the COVID-19 pandemic when there were lockdowns and travel restrictions.
Businesses then began reopening in March 2022, despite official warnings, after Vietnam relaxed its border curbs.
In September that year, the authorities in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district again ordered the temporary closure of all shops along the railway stretch, pointing to safety violations flagged by the national railway operator.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/hanoi-railway-cafe-street-train-street-vietnam-tourism-cafes-business-5847806
