Western tourists: Riding a sleeper bus is an experience of living like a true Vietnamese person

Aaron Spray, a backpacker who has traveled to 80 countries around the world , was impressed with the experience of traveling by sleeper bus during his trip to Vietnam.

Vietnam is one of the most interesting countries to explore in Southeast Asia for Western tourists . Aaron believes that sleeper buses are the ideal means of transportation in Vietnam, compared to trains or planes. Because trains are slower, and tourists cannot fly to some destinations in mountainous areas. He believes that bus routes with fewer tourists will bring authentic experiences of local life. The male tourist noted that some sleeper buses will stop many times along the way to pick up and drop off passengers. "This can take a long time and make the journey longer; it's all part of the experience," Aaron shared.

Riding a sleeper bus is an experience not to be missed when visiting Vietnam for many foreign tourists. Photo: Aaron Spray

Sharing his experience, Aaron knows that sleeper buses in Vietnam have fully reclining seats and most of them do not have toilets. Some sleeper buses are quite large with double cabins, complete with blankets, mattresses, and curtains. Some buses have toilets on board so the driver may not stop during the entire long trip. The service on this sleeper bus in Vietnam is quite different from other Southeast Asian countries, Aaron commented. Tourists on tours can sit on better quality buses, which stop at rest stops with toilets and stalls selling food, drinks, souvenirs, or necessities. The inconvenience is that foreign visitors will encounter language barriers, as most drivers and bus assistants do not know English. However, Aaron highly appreciates the safety of sleeper buses in Vietnam for foreign visitors, including women.

Westerners experiencing sleeper buses in Vietnam need to be mentally prepared that the reclining space can be quite narrow, compared to the stature of foreigners. Photo: Aaron Spray

When boarding the bus, Aaron reminds passengers not to forget to take off their shoes and put them in plastic bags. "Buses with fewer tourists may be slower than originally planned because the driver will pick up locals along the way. However, this is also a unique part of the experience," the tourist said. He also advised tourists not to drink too much water before boarding the bus and to remember to bring snacks. Tourists should also prepare warm clothes regardless of the weather, because the air conditioning on the bus is quite cold. Another essential item is a spare battery, because not all buses are equipped with modern equipment.

Inside a sleeper bus at night. Photo: Aaron Spray

Laodong.vn