By Alex
Hanoi, Vietnam, is home to a globally renowned train street where tourists sip drinks while watching trains zoom past—an awe-inspiring sight (related report). However, local authorities have ordered all shops on the train street to shut down for safety reasons, bringing this spectacle to an abrupt end. But selfie-loving tourists have quickly found another photogenic spot to rack up likes: Long Bien Bridge.
▲ Long Bien Bridge is Hanoi’s first steel bridge and has a history of 120 years. (photo phuong_phuongg91 @IG)
Located not far from the famous Hoan Kiem Lake, Long Bien Bridge has recently seen a surge in popularity, drawing crowds of visitors. They cross busy roads and trespass into fenced-off areas to walk on the train tracks for photos. A quick search on Instagram reveals nearly 19,000 posts tagged #longbien (Long Bien) and 17,500 tagged #longbienbridge (Long Bien Bridge), with most images showing people venturing onto or standing on the train tracks.
▲ With the train street now closed, tourists are seeking new selfie spots. (photo sokhamarky @IG)
As Hanoi’s first steel bridge, Long Bien Bridge, though 120 years old, still sees dozens of trains pass through daily. It’s also a key route for locals commuting by motorbike, making it a fairly busy thoroughfare. Tourists who disregard safety to take photos on the tracks are essentially putting their own lives—and those of others—at risk.
▲ The central part of Long Bien Bridge is reserved for train tracks, flanked by motorbike lanes and narrow pedestrian walkways. (photo thatworldlylens @IG)
So far, there have been no major accidents on Long Bien Bridge, but as the number of rule-breaking tourists grows, incidents are inevitable. Once again, we urge everyone: do not linger on or take photos on active train tracks. Most train accidents occur because people fail to notice an approaching train in time, leading to serious injuries or even fatalities.
▲ Lingering on or taking photos on active train tracks is extremely dangerous. (photo wanderintwo @IG)
▲ (photo shanewas.niloy @IG)
▲ (photo ayda_june @IG)
▲ Dozens of trains still pass over Long Bien Bridge daily, which is also a main commuting route for locals on motorbikes. (photo shanewas.niloy @IG)
▲ (photo carlos_fdp @IG)
▲ (photo xuanduongvan @IG)
▲ (photo svietnammm @IG)
▲ (photo vietnamairlines @IG)
Source: DIY Photography