Types of Buses You’ll Encounter in Vietnam
Sleeper Buses (For Night Travel Across Long Distance Routes)
If overnight travel is in your plans, for instance, from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang or from Hanoi to Da Nang, then the sleeper bus Vietnam experience is an absolute must-try!
What to expect:
- The sleeping buses in Vietnam have reclining seats or bed-like beds.
- You can expect air-conditioning, reading lamps, blankets, and possibly Wi-Fi or USB charging.
- Luggage storage is available both under the bus and near your seat.
- Regular breaks of several hours are taken in parking areas with restrooms and snack booths along the highway.
Pros:
- You save the cost of an overnight stay.
- Major tourist bus routes are directly served by buses, with no need for train or taxi transfers.
- Even some bus operators provide hotel pickup.
Cons:
- If you are prone to motion sickness or sensitive to motion, then be prepared for a rough ride.
- Budget buses can be noisy or crowded in peak travel seasons.
TIP: Book your sleeper bus tickets through reputable bus operators on online sites such as redBus, Baolau, or 12Go. This guarantees fixed prices and reserved seats.
Sleeper Buses (Sours: backpackmoments)
VIP Limousine Vans (Day Travel with Comfort & Style)
For shorter, luxury daytime routes such as Hanoi to Ninh Binh or HCMC to Vung Tau, VIP limousine vans are an ideal choice.
What to expect:
- Fewer seats, i.e., providing extra legroom and personal space.
- With air-conditioning, USB charging capabilities, entertainment screens, and full-sized leather reclining seats.
- Door-to-door pickup and drop-off are usually available.
They are driven by luxury bus operators like Lac Hong Limousine and Luxury Van. They are ideal for individuals seeking a quiet, smooth ride with no worries about public transport crowds.
VIP Limousine Vans (Sours: thaiduonglimousine)
Standard Seated Interprovincial Coaches
This is the most typical type of bus in Vietnam for daytime, long-distance journeys. They’re ideal for medium-distance routes such as Da Nang to Hue, or Nha Trang to Mui Ne.
What to expect:
- Comfortable seated buses with reclining seats and air conditioning.
- Reasonable prices and extensive distribution.
- Simple reservation in bus terminals, hotels, or online.
If you like traveling in broad daylight with the windows for your view, then this is your best choice. Just don’t forget to reserve your bus ticket in advance for holiday season!
Standard Seated Interprovincial Coaches (Sours: bangkokattractions)
Local Public Buses (Short Routes within or near Cities)
Want to travel in Ho Chi Minh City, in Hanoi, or in other cities? The cheapest transport is local buses, and an incredibly Vietnamese experience.
What to expect:
- Plain buses, no-frills, no seat reservations.
- Fares range from 5,000-10,000 VND.
- Running on fixed timetables, but confusing unless accompanied by a Vietnamese speaker.
Things to watch out for:
- Tourist pricing scams: Foreigners can be overcharged.
- Language barrier: Bus information is normally available only in Vietnamese.
- Etiquette is important! Give your seat away to elderly persons or pregnant women. Advice on which situations are appropriate is included in Tipping in Vietnam.
Local Public Buses (Sours: atlys)
Buses in Vietnam: Popular Routes from North to South
Route
|
Estimated Time
|
Recommended Bus Type
|
Trusted Bus Companies
|
Hanoi ⇆ Sapa
|
~6 hours
|
Sleeper bus Vietnam, Limousine
|
Interbusline, Eco Sapa, iHome
|
Hanoi ⇆ Ninh Binh
|
~2 hours
|
Seated bus, Limousine
|
X.E Vietnam, Trang An Limousine
|
Hanoi ⇆ Ha Giang
|
~7 hours
|
Sleeper bus Vietnam
|
Quang Nghi, Express Ha Giang, Bang Phan
|
Hanoi ⇆ Ha Long Bay
|
2.5 – 3.5 hours
|
Seated, Limousine
|
Ha Long Travel, Kumho Viet Thanh
|
Phong Nha ⇆ Hue
|
~4.5 hours
|
Seated or sleeper bus
|
Queen Cafe, DMZ Travel
|
Hue ⇆ Da Nang
|
~2.5 hours
|
Seated, Minivan
|
The Sinh Tourist, Hanh Cafe
|
Da Nang ⇆ Hoi An
|
~1 hour
|
Seated, Limousine
|
Hoang Duc Limousine, Vie Limousine
|
Da Nang ⇆ Nha Trang
|
10 – 11 hours
|
Sleeper bus Vietnam
|
Queen Cafe, Hoang Long
|
HCMC ⇆ Mui Ne
|
4.5 – 6 hours
|
Sleeper bus Vietnam, Limousine
|
Futa Bus (Phuong Trang), The Sinh Tourist, Tam Hanh
|
HCMC ⇆ Vung Tau
|
~2.5 hours
|
Limousine van
|
Hoa Mai, Toan Thang, Vie Limousine
|
HCMC ⇆ Mekong Delta (Can Tho)
|
~4–5 hours
|
Seated
|
Futa Bus, Ba Chau, Thanh Buoi
|
HCMC ⇆ Chau Doc
|
~6 hours
|
Seated
|
Futa Bus, Ba Chau
|
HCMC ⇆ Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
|
6 – 7 hours
|
Seated with border service
|
Giant Ibis, Sapaco, Mekong Express
|
Booking Bus Tickets in Vietnam: Your Options
Booking Online – Fast, Easy, No Hassle
Platform
|
Top Features
|
Things to Note
|
redBus
|
Easy interface, exclusive discounts
|
Great for booking Sleeper bus Vietnam
|
12Go Asia
|
Excellent for international routes (e.g., HCMC ⇆ Phnom Penh)
|
Check for service fees before final payment
|
Vexere
|
Strong local coverage, live seat maps
|
Spell city names properly (Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City)
|
Baolau
|
Compare buses, trains, and ferries
|
Sometimes shows prices before taxes/fees
|
Typical Price Range (per route):
- Hanoi ⇆ Sapa: $10-18
- Da Nang ⇆ Nha Trang: $12-20
- Ho Chi Minh City ⇆ Mui Ne: $6-15
Search Tip:
Always spell Vietnamese cities correctly to avoid no results:
- Da Nang (not Danang)
- Ha Long (not Halong)
- Ho Chi Minh City (instead of just Saigon)
Bus Tickets in Vietnam (Sours: saltytravels)
Booking at the Station or Through Hotels
Prefer in-person booking when travelling in Vietnam? Here’s how to secure your seat offline!
At the Bus Station
- Pros: Lowest prices, purchasing directly from the source
- Cons: May be located far from the city center, limited English signposting
Popular stations include:
- My Dinh, Gia Lam (Hanoi)
- Mien Dong, Mien Tay (Ho Chi Minh City)
- Hue, Da Nang Central Bus Stations
Through Hotels, Hostels, or Travel Agents
- Pros: Simple, no language difficulty, hotel pick-up usually included
- Cons: Slight commission fee (₫10,000–₫30,000)
Popular bus operators such as The Sinh Tourist, Queen Cafe, and Interbusline tend to have arrangements with hotels for ease of reservation for their tourists. Excellent for overnight journeys or sleeping buses in Vietnam with added amenities such as air-conditioning, reclining seats, and reading lights.
Da Nang Central Bus Stations (Sours: xanhsm)
Bus Travel Etiquette & Local Know-How for Buses in Vietnam
Seat Manners & Onboard Behavior for Buses in Vietnam
On the majority of Buses in Vietnam, you will have an assigned seat or berth, particularly on sleeping buses. Keep your assigned position; don’t switch or spread out unless you have first checked with the crew. Blaring videos without headphones, loud talking, and resting your feet in someone’s seat are no-nos, especially for the long trips from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang or Nha Trang.
Sleeper buses in Vietnam are equipped with reading lights, air conditioning, and sometimes even in-bus entertainment. Utilize them in respect for other travelers sleeping nearby particularly when overnight.
Luggage Rules & Safety for Buses in Vietnam
Each large bus operator has policies regarding luggage:
- 1 large suitcase or rucksack (carried under).
- 1 carry-on bag (leave valuables with you!)
Keep your cash, passport, and valuables in an inside pocket or secure daypack when on longer trips. Theft is not common on quality bus services, but why take risks?
Prioritize the highest safety-rated companies such as Futa, iHome, or Interbusline, as endorsed in the vietnam guide.
Bunk Choices on Sleeper Buses with Buses in Vietnam
Picking your seat can make all the difference, particularly if you’re someone who gets motion sickness.
- Top bunk: Cooler (due to ceiling air-conditioning) and more private, with bumpier ride.
- Bottom bunk: Improved access, ideal for individuals with frequent movement in their sleep.
If you’re reserving an online Sleeper bus ticket in Vietnam, make sure that seat location choice can be made in advance.
Choose the front rows on seated buses for extra legroom as well as smoother travel. Sit away from the back if you are sensitive to jerky or twisting motions on the bus routes.
Conclusion
Whether venturing through foggy mountains or cruising toward sun-tinted coastlines, travelling by bus is one of the most fulfilling methods of discovering Vietnam. Using the right planning, shrewd operator selection, as well as some insider knowledge, your trip on Vietnam’s best buses from cozy sleeper bus Vietnam services through to rapid limousines will be trouble-free as well as an experience to remember. For additional intelligent travelling tips, don’t miss the guide vietnam as well as our tips on Tipping in Vietnam. Happy travels!