Hanoi colonial-era railway becomes a dangerous selfie attraction for tourists
- Tourists seeking the perfect Instagram shot are flocking to French-laid rail tracks in the city’s Old Quarter
- The picturesque tracks in Vietnam’s capital are still in use, however
In the heart of Hanoi’s busy Old Quarter, French-built railroad tracks have become a hotspot for tourists seeking the perfect Instagram selfie, and for cafe owners serving up hot coffee and cold beer.
Though picturesque, they are also perilous: the tracks are still in use and most days visitors must scramble for safety as the daily train rumbles through the narrow streets.
But for many, the thrill of dodging a speedy train is part of the appeal.
“It was amazing but scary in the same sense. [It’s] a little bit overwhelming being so close to the train,” says Australian tourist Michelle Richards.
The tracks were first built by former colonial rulers France who used the railway to transport goods and people across Vietnam – then part of Indochina, along with Laos and Cambodia.