Vietnam Sleeper Bus: Travel Throughout, Why not?

 If you are traveling on a budget, a sleeper bus is a great option for getting around the majority of cities on their journey in Vietnam.

To travel from one city to another in Vietnam, you can opt for a plane, train, or private vehicle. In this article, we will introduce you to the most popular means of transportation for passenger cars - the sleeper bus.

Traveling on a sleeper bus in Vietnam @i.ytimg

Why should you travel in Vietnam on a sleeper bus?

In fact, some cities in Vietnam do not have airports or terminals. As a result, traveling by bus becomes more convenient for many people. For example, in Phong Nha, with a bus, you will at least be taken to somewhere near your destination, without having to worry about some other modes of transportation.
Compared to other ways, the sleeper bus offers a cheap and easy alternative as it runs all night. And thanks to this method, no precious morning hours are lost!
It should be the perfect solution, however, there are many downsides to travel with a night bus in Vietnam.

How to book a sleeper bus in Vietnam

• Book online

Thanks to the internet, you can choose the quality of the bus you want to book. Find a reputable company to make a reservation and do a bit of research before booking. You can easily find a luxurious bed with AC power, power outlet and on-board toilet for under 15 USD.
This way, you also get the chance to choose your seat and provide you with a physical ticket or a receipt so you have no doubts about you getting on that bus.

• Book a ticket at your hotel

If you get on well with your hotel staff, it will be easy for you to book a Vietnam sleeper bus. The price will only be a bit higher than if you booked it through a travel agency and it is more convenient.

• Book with a local travel agency

Booking at a local travel agent can be cheaper or a bit more expensive. But the price difference may not seem like much to you. All you have to remember is to negotiate or exchange prices. Don't believe the first offer they tell you in a hurry. Also, do not get close by negotiating, because after all, they only want your money.
Ideally, make a reservation a few days in advance to secure your reservation and request a legitimate purchase invoice.

Comfort in the night sleeper bus

• Legroom - Anyone taller than 5 feet won't have enough room to fully stretch, so for taller folks you will be in trouble.
• Driving - Suddenly vigorous motion when a bus is racing at a continuous horn speed.
• Others - They are often noisy and sometimes even rude.
• Random stop - Buses can and will stop at any point for cleaning breaks. Sometimes even in the middle of the night.

DOs and DON’Ts when traveling by night bus Vietnam

DOs

• Wear the most comfortable clothes you have in your backpack.
• Bring a warm coat in case the air conditioner is running at full capacity
• Wear thick socks - you must take off your shoes before you get on the bus and put them in a plastic bag. Nobody wants to smell your feet and if you need to use the on-board toilet, you don't want to move around barefoot!
• Pack a small bag as light as possible to carry on the plane. You can use it to hold your valuables - your passport, phone, wallet, laptop - whatever you want can not live without it.
• Keep your belongings as safe as possible. Unfortunately, robbery is quite common in Vietnam so use your awareness and do what you can to stop it. Wrap the bag around your arm under the blanket or tuck it in the leg to block it.
• You absolutely must use earplugs and masks for obvious reasons! Needless to say, a lot of tourists don't have them. Devastated!
• Remember, add your essentials: add water, snacks, toilet rolls, wet towels, and hand sanitizer.
• Fully charge all your devices and do not forget a book. You may not have a charging point.

Wear comfortable clothes traveling on the sleeper bus in Vietnam @centralbackpackershostel

DON’Ts

• Do not let your valuables lying around on your bed.
• Do not forget to consider the length of your journey and bring some snacks to keep it going. You may not always be able to buy food at your stops.
• There will be people trying to sell you expensive souvenirs, plus the taxi will exploit inexperienced tourists. Be wary of that.
• Do not forget that just because it is called the sleeping bus doesn't mean they just run through the night. We take a couple of buses from early morning to mid-afternoon because they are cheaper and more convenient, plus we don't lose sleep.
• Do not forget to check the trains and flights to see how they compare the price and convenience factors. A bed bus might not be your best option - it likely is!
• Do not worry about booking a bus, there's always someone wanting to help. If a bus station agent says no tickets are available, it might just be a tourist bus. Check with your hotel as they can take you onto local buses going the same way.
• Do not forget to ask travel agencies or hotel managers to write down your next destination on a piece of paper, in case you have to take a taxi upon arrival.

Five best sleeper bus brands in Vietnam

• Sapa Express

Address: 12 Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
Phone: 04.668.21555
Email: sales@sapaexpress.com

Sapa Express bus @img.12go.co

• Camel Travel

Address: No. 459 Tran Khat Chan, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi.
Phone: 0439.036.036 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm) and 0936.33.00.66 (8:00 am - 10:00 pm).

• Queen Cafe

Address: 208 Tran Quang Khai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
Phone: 04 39960199
Email: Queencafevipbus@gmail.com

• Hai Van Express

Phone: 0438 71 71 71 - 0944 86 86 86

Best routes to travel on Vietnam sleeper bus

• From Hanoi to: Sapa or Ha Giang

• From Ho Chi Minh to: Phu Quoc, or Long Xuyen

• From Can Tho to: Ha Tien, Ho Chi Minh, Long Xuyen or Phu Quoc

• From Ha Tien to: Ho Chi Minh, Long Xuyen, Phu Quoc

All things considered, traveling by sleep bus in Vietnam is no longer a complicated issue. It is advisable to bring a piece of paper with your destination on it as many people may not understand English.
Get more information about transportation in Vietnam to choose the best ones for your vacation.

Jenny Tran

Image sources: Internet