Sleeper buses are a common mode of transport for Vietnamese people, but they're a novelty for many international visitors. A search for "sleeper bus in Vietnam" on TikTok reveals hundreds of review videos by foreign tourists. Many praise the experience, highlighting the comfort and convenience, with some even claiming it's "more comfortable than flying" due to the absence of airport procedures and the ability to lie down and rest during the journey. Several videos have garnered hundreds of thousands of views and interactions.

British traveler Shondell Elise, who has explored several Southeast Asian countries, was impressed by the variety and prevalence of sleeper buses in Vietnam. She created an eight-part video series reviewing seven sleeper bus journeys during her three-week backpacking trip across the country earlier this year.

"My travel companion and I considered each route and found sleeper buses to be the optimal choice in terms of time and cost compared to flying. Journeys over 300 km would be tiring in a regular seated bus," Elise said.

She tried both 22-berth cabin buses with two tiers and two rows, and 34-berth double-decker buses with three rows. Elise found the enclosed cabins more private, comfortable, and secure than the three-row buses, which offered less space and comfort. Her trip from Hoi An to Da Lat on a 22-berth cabin bus was particularly positive due to its amenities, service, and safety.

However, not all of Shondell's experiences were positive. During a cabin bus trip from Hanoi to Ha Giang, she woke up in the middle of the night to find several passengers lying in the aisle due to overcrowding. This raised concerns about overloading and passenger comfort.

Inside a 22-berth, double-decker cabin bus with a restroom. Photo: NVCC

Inside a 22-berth, double-decker cabin bus with a restroom. Photo: NVCC

"Overall, taking a sleeper bus in Vietnam is still a worthwhile experience," Shondell concluded.

Not all tourists opt for sleeper buses. Some have concerns about privacy, safety, and service quality. Vincent, a French tourist, chose a 9-seat limousine for his trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat. This option offered door-to-door service, fewer passengers, and a greater sense of privacy and security. Vincent had considered the significantly cheaper sleeper bus option but found the need to travel to the bus station inconvenient.

"Seeing double-decker buses navigating mountain passes made me feel uneasy," Vincent commented.

A Filipino tourist traveling independently from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat booked a sleeper bus ticket through a popular Vietnamese website. The system offered various bus companies with flexible departure times, ranging from morning to night, and ticket prices starting from 250,000 VND. His outbound journey was smooth. He purchased a 270,000 VND ticket, departed at 11 p.m., and arrived around 6 a.m.

The return trip, however, was less straightforward. He booked with a different company due to a promotional discount, saving around 100,000 VND. He went to Da Lat Interprovincial Bus Station for his journey back to District 1 (now Pham Ngu Lao Ward) in Ho Chi Minh City. The bus departed on time, and the interior was clean and new. However, near Duc Trong, the bus stopped unexpectedly for about 30 minutes due to a traffic violation by the driver. Around 4 a.m., the passengers were woken up, assuming they had reached their destination. They were actually in An Suong (formerly District 12), about 10 km from District 1. Instead of a designated bus station, the bus stopped at an empty lot. Passengers were transferred to an 11-seat shuttle bus to continue their journey to the city center.

"There were 8 passengers on the shuttle. I was quite worried because I'd heard stories about kidnappings near the border recently, but I felt reassured after talking to some young tourists sitting next to me," the Filipino tourist said. He added that the trip was ultimately safe, and he would still consider sleeper buses for future journeys but would research the bus companies more thoroughly or try a door-to-door limousine service.

Pham Anh Vu, Deputy General Director of Viet Travel, noted that road tours have grown significantly in recent years, increasing the demand for sleeper buses among both domestic and international tourists. These buses are popular for their affordability and overnight travel option, saving time and making them suitable for long trips, including cross-country journeys. During peak seasons, buses sometimes have to be brought in from other provinces to meet demand.

A crowded bus station in District 5 at 11 p.m., specializing in double-decker sleeper buses from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat. Photo: Bich Phuong

A crowded bus station in District 5 at 11 p.m., specializing in double-decker sleeper buses from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat. Photo: Bich Phuong

Sleeper buses are common on routes like Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat, Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Ninh Thuan, and Da Nang; and Hanoi to Sa Pa, Thanh Hoa, and Vinh. Many tour groups also use sleeper buses to reach major cities with airports for domestic or international flights.

Sleeper buses are popular among young people and international tourists due to their affordability and efficiency. Standard buses typically have 32 to 44 berths, a double-decker design, and basic amenities like curtains, blankets, and drinking water. Tickets for an 8-hour journey start from 250,000 VND. Higher-end cabin or limousine buses have 22 separate compartments, each accommodating one or two people under 140 kg, with entertainment screens, charging ports, and sometimes even toilets. Cabin prices start from 300,000 VND, depending on the route.

"For foreign tourists, it's not just a budget-friendly option, but a unique Vietnamese experience, even if it's not always perfectly comfortable due to factors like limited space," Vu said.

According to Vu, the expanding highway network has enhanced the efficiency of sleeper buses, reducing travel time and increasing their competitiveness. For journeys under 400 km, they offer advantages in both time and cost compared to flying. For instance, the Ho Chi Minh City - Da Lat route takes about 6-7 hours by bus, costing from 250,000 VND, while a flight can cost nearly 2 million VND, excluding check-in, waiting time, and airport transfers.

"There are still debates about the service quality and safety of sleeper buses," Vu acknowledged, adding that they are currently classified as passenger transport, typically picking up and dropping off passengers at bus stations or using shuttle buses from designated stops to city centers. Concerns include speeding and drivers operating continuously overnight.

A travel agency specializing in mid-range and luxury tours in Ho Chi Minh City stated that they do not use sleeper buses in their programs, opting instead for flights or high-end cars. They have their own transportation center, working with partners who provide vehicles that meet quality and safety standards. Safety is paramount, especially for group tours.

A group of foreign tourists traveling by seated bus on a road tour in Vietnam. Photo: Vietluxtour

A group of foreign tourists traveling by seated bus on a road tour in Vietnam. Photo: Vietluxtour

Nguyen Tuan Anh, a Master of Public Policy from Fulbright Vietnam, explained that tourist transportation now encompasses various options, from planes, trains, long-distance limousines, and interprovincial speedboats to local transport like buses in the Mekong Delta and boats in waterway regions. Sleeper buses serve as an overnight connection with frequent departures, low costs, and high mobility, meeting the needs of the general public by providing both transport and temporary accommodation.

Maintaining and upgrading sleeper buses, according to Anh, is part of preserving a unique aspect of Vietnamese travel culture, creating a "distinctive road trip experience" that appeals to international tourists.

In Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, long-distance buses remain the primary mode of transport on routes without rail or air connections. However, few countries offer "overnight sleeper berths for under 300,000 VND for 500-700 km journeys" like Vietnam. This presents a competitive advantage in terms of experience and service, and losing it could negatively impact Vietnam's tourism image, which is known for being friendly, flexible, and budget-friendly.

To ensure safety, Anh suggests investing in monitoring technology, improving infrastructure, implementing stricter speed limits, and enhancing vehicle inspections.

"We should standardize and upgrade this mode of transport to both preserve the unique experience and promote tourism development in a friendly and sustainable direction," Anh said.

From a travel perspective, Vu views sleeper buses as an economical and promising mode of transport, especially for young travelers seeking new experiences. To enhance quality, investments should be made in amenities, professional staff training, including English language skills, friendly service, maintaining clean interiors, and partnering only with reputable bus companies.

"Double-decker buses should be restricted on dangerous routes to ensure safety," Vu concluded.

Bich Phuong