AFP: Hanoi's colonial-era railway becomes selfie hotspot
Hanoi (VNA) - 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,
according to an article by the Paris-headquartered AFP news agency.
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, a little bit overwhelming
being so close to the train," Australian tourist Michelle Richards told
AFP.
The tracks were first built
by former colonial rulers France who used the railway to transport goods and
people across Vietnam, which was then part of Indochina, along with Laos and
Cambodia.
During the war against US imperialists, parts of the railway were badly damaged
by American bombs that rained down on the communist-ruled north.
Today the original
metre-gauge tracks are still a mode of transport for tourists and travellers
seeking a cheaper option.
But in the past few years, visitors to Hanoi have seized upon their
photographic possibilities.
Hemmed in by houses and cafes, the tracks offer a unique charm for budding
travel photographers and a business opportunity for makeshift cafe owners
who have set up shops.
"It's got a really weird charm. You've got flowers from the balcony coming
down, you've got buildings which are very old and close to each other. You see
people here living close to the train tracks,” Hong Kong tourist Edward Tsim
said.
As the train rumbles into view, everyone clears the tracks and pulls their
phones out to capture the scene.
"It felt like waiting for Christmas... and when it arrived, wow, it was
something else," British tourist Paul Hardiman said. "Well worth the
wait."-VNA