Vietnam sleeper bus review & must know survival tips: from nightmare to pleasant ride on the Sapa Route

Are you planning a trip to Vietnam and considering taking a Vietnam sleeper bus? There are many negative reviews online about these overnight long-distance buses, so I didn’t have high expectations before my trip. However, I experienced 2 totally different journeys. In this article, I will share my experiences and reviews of sleeper buses in Vietnam, comparing the two bus companies and two bus types I took: the standard sleeper and the VIP cabin. As well as provide tips on how to choose a reliable bus and stay safe, comfortable on Vietnam sleeper bus.

• Click here to check the options and availability of the Vietnam sleeper bus from Hanoi to Sapa.

Vietnam sleeper bus review & comparison

My 2 sleeper bus experiences in Vietnam were totally different. One was from Halong Bay to Sapa with Sapa Ethnic Travel Sleeper 41 bus type, which was a complete nightmare, while the ride back from Sapa to Hanoi with Sao viet VIP Cabin bus type was unexpectedly decent, comfortable and relaxing. Below are the detailed reviews.

A total nightmare experience: with Sleeper 41 bus type from Halong Bay to Sapa

Total rating: 2.6/10

The bus company and the sleeper bus type we booked for this trip: Sleeper 41 bus type operated by Sapa Ethnic Travel (Ket Doan Travel).

On the day we took the long-distance overnight bus to Sapa, we joined a stunning day tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay. While the tour included round-trip transfers to Hanoi, we noticed there was also a sleeper bus from Halong Bay to Sapa. To save time, we decided to book the sleeper bus departing from Halong Bay instead of returning to Hanoi. Little did we know, this decision would lead us to a complete nightmare.

The punctuality of the sleeper bus to Sapa from Halong Bay

Rating: 2/10

The sleeper bus we took from Halong Bay was delayed for a long time and made us worried, and doubted whether we would make it to Sapa at all. The scheduled departure time was 10pm, and we arrived at the pick-up point listed on the ticket by 9pm.

The pick-up point was in the middle of nowhere—a messy, unstructured area with only a few small vendors nearby and without a bus sign.

The bus didn’t come at 9:30pm, the time we were instructed to for the check-in, so we tried calling and messaging the bus company, but no one responded. When we asked the nearby vendors about the bus to Sapa, they had no clues, and a few people around said “Later!” “Next one!” “It’s coming!”

Later, 5 more passengers arrived to wait for the bus. Although they weren’t heading to Sapa, it made us feel a bit more relaxed, knowing that at least we were at the right location to wait for the bus.

A bus finally arrived at 10pm, but the driver said, “No Sapa, next one, next one”

At around 10:30 PM, another bus stopped, and the driver announced it was heading to Sapa, telling us to board. By this point, it was already late, and despite the bus looking different from the one we had booked, we got on, feeling confused and uncertain. To make it even more confusing, the driver didn’t even check our tickets.

But once we were on the bus, we found out there were actually seats available for us.

Vietnam Sleeper Bus Facilities and Amenities

Rating: 2/10

The interior of the Vietnam sleeper bus 41 is designed with individual adjustable reclining sleeper seats arranged in upper and lower bunks, with each seat equipped with a USB charging port—except for the last row. The last row has four seats in a single row without any dividers between passengers, meaning people are meaning passengers are lying side by side with strangers. And only the window seats are equipped with USB charging ports, while the middle seats do not have any.

Other than the USB charging ports and the blankets (we didn’t get the blankets though), Sleeper 41 bus model in Vietnam did not offer any additional amenities or facilities, it doesn’t even have a restroom on board. Thankfully, the bus did make a stop for a restroom break during the 6 hours journey, but it only stopped once.

Safety and Comfort of Vietnam Sleeper Bus

Rating: 2/10

Other than the sleeper seats having at least soft padding, this long journey was neither comfortable nor did it feel particularly safe.

First of all, the air conditioning inside the bus was really cold. Even after adjusting it, it was still freezing, due to the open layout of the space. We also didn’t receive any blankets (and even if we had, we probably wouldn’t have used them), so we had to rely on our own jackets for warmth and use our bags as pillows.

Second, because the sleeper beds weren’t private compartments, when everyone took off their shoes, a slight smell of feet filled the air, making the bus feel a bit unpleasant.

Thirdly, the last row of sleeper beds has four seats lined up side by side, offering no personal space or privacy from strangers. And there’s no protective barrier in front of the two middle seats, making it feel unsafe and inconvenient.

On top of that, the journey was far from smooth. At one point during the trip, we were caught in a heavy storm with intense rain that caused flooding, forcing our bus to stop for a long time in the middle of the road. For a while, we thought we wouldn’t make it to our destination.

Thankfully, the bus eventually started moving again and continued. Even so, we still couldn’t rest peacefully. The bus was moving quite fast, and the constant honking from outside made the ride even more stressful. Throughout the entire journey, we were praying we’d arrive safely in Sapa.

Finally, we arrived at a point where the driver informed everyone that we needed to get off the big bus and transfer to a smaller one to head up the mountain to Sapa. That part went smoothly, and the scenery along the way was beautiful.

After all the twists and turns, we finally arrived at our destination Sapa safely, and it was such a relief! The whole journey turned out to be a truly unforgettable, though terrifying, experience.

The cleanliness of the sleeper bus

Rating: 4/10

Other than the slight foot smell in the air, the overall cleanliness of the bus was acceptable- at least there’s no significant stains on sleeper beds, and there’s no trash on the floor, though the light was dim, we couldn’t see much anyway.

Still, to avoid direct contact between our skin and the beds, we just used our jackets as a buffer.

Sleeper bus price in Vietnam (from Halong Bay to Sapa)

Rating: 3/10

The Vietnam sleeper bus price for Halong Bay to Sapa route ranged from 473K to 101.3K VND (17- 40 USD).

For this route, there were not many choices available for us that time, so we booked the basic sleeper bus that cost about 473K VND (17 USD) per person for a 8 hours journey. The price is quite cheap, but the quality isn’t great. We actually regret choosing the basic one.

If your plan is to join a Halong Bay day tour (from Hanoi) before heading to Sapa, I highly recommend returning to Hanoi first and taking an overnight bus from there instead of from Halong Bay. This way, the price is cheaper, you will have more bus options, the journey will be shorter, and—as a bonus—you can enjoy better food in Hanoi while waiting for your sleeper bus.

For booking the ticket, I recommend you check the price and the availability of the Vietnam sleeper bus price and book it in advance.

For Halong Bay to Sapa route, you can check here.

Click here for the Hanoi to Sapa route.

Surprisingly pleasant journey: from Sapa to Hanoi with VIP Cabin bus type

Total Rating: 7.8/10

The bus company and the sleeper bus type we booked for this trip: VIP Cabin sleeper bus operated by Sao Viet bus company.

It was recommended by a staff member at Lao Cai train station. We were supposed to take the overnight train back to Hanoi, but due to a huge storm that caused the tracks to collapse, our sleeper train was canceled.

Tips: Since buying transportation tickets at physical stores in Vietnam usually requires cash, if you don’t want to carry too much local currency, you can book your tickets online in advance with your credit card. On the day of departure, simply show your e-tickets for boarding.

The punctuality of the VIP overnight bus from Sapa to Hanoi

Rating: 7/10

Taking an overnight long-distance bus from Sapa to Hanoi with Sao Viet Bus Company was a pleasant experience. From check-in to departure (10:30pm) and arrival (4am), everything was pretty much on time and smoothly. It’s a great and trustworthy bus company!

Vietnam VIP sleeper bus facilities and amenities

Rating: 8/10

The Sao Viet VIP Cabin offered all the necessary facilities and amenities for a comfortable ride.

Every passenger has a private cabin equipped with curtain, TV screen, bottles of water, blanket, USB & headphone plot, light controls, and adjustable AC vents.
More importantly, this type of sleeper bus actually has a toilet onboard!

Safety and comfort of Vietnam VIP cabin bus

Rating: 8/10

The VIP Cabin bus type operated by Sao Viet bus company is really comfortable and made us feel at ease.

The sleeper mattress was just right—not too soft and it’s supportive, making it quite comfortable to sleep on (though it can’t compare to a hotel bed, it’s still pretty good).

The journey was really smooth, steady and relaxed, which made me feel safe enough to fall asleep shortly after departure and only woke up when we arrived in Hanoi.

The cleanliness of the VIP cabin sleeper bus

Rating: 8/10

The Sao Viet VIP Cabin sleeper bus we took was in an excellent condition—bright, spacious, and free of any strange smells.

As soon as we boarded, we were asked to take off our shoes and put them into a bag, which helped keep the aisle clean.

The sleeper cabin itself was also clean and comfortable, with fresh blankets that had no smells or stains, allowing us to rest with no worries.

Still, I’d recommend using a jacket as a protective layer between you and the blanket to avoid direct skin contact.

Sleeper bus price in Vietnam (from Sapa to Hanoi)

Rating: 8/10

The price for a sleeper bus from Sapa to Hanoi ranges between 281K–792K VND (11–30 USD).

The Sao Viet VIP Cabin we booked cost 540K VND (22 USD) per person, and it provided everything we needed for a comfortable and smooth 5.5-hour journey back to Hanoi. Overall, I think the price matches the value, and I’d highly recommend this type of sleeper bus in Vietnam!

Check here for the bus schedule and availability

Trustworthy booking platform for Vietnam sleeper bus

During my trip to Vietnam, I used this website to book all my domestic transportation. The platform offers a wide range of transportation options, schedules, and operators. After completing booking, the e-ticket will be sent directly to your email, which you can show to most of the operators on the day of departure without printing it, making the process very convenient.

Though, some locations or time slots may have fewer options (like our experience when departing from Halong Bay), but overall, the experience was quite satisfying. Even when my train from Sapa to Hanoi was canceled due to a storm and I needed a refund, the website processed it fast, and I received the refund within about two weeks, which was fairly efficient.

When booking, I recommend you to carefully check the reviews and photos of each bus company and bus type. Try to choose options with high online ratings and avoid booking the cheapest ones to avoid low quality buses like our nightmare journey from Halong Bay to Sapa.

How to choose a comfortable sleeper bus in Vietnam? Which type of the bus is better?

In Vietnam, sleeper buses generally come in two types. The first is the standard sleeper bus (like the one I took from Halong Bay to Sapa). These are the more budget-friendly option, featuring recliner-style seats and with no private and spacious space. The amenities are basic and without an onboard toilet.

The second is the VIP Cabin sleeper bus (like the one I took from Sapa back to Hanoi). These are slightly more expensive but you get your own private cabin where you can lie completely flat. They come with more amenities and are way more comfortable, making the whole long-distance trip feel much easier.

For long overnight trips in Vietnam, I definitely recommend going for a VIP/Cabin bus if your budget allows. The extra comfort is totally worth it. And whatever you pick, always carefully check reviews and photos of the bus companies before you book!

Luggage policy for sleeper bus in Vietnam

According to this ticket platform, most long-distance buses in Vietnam allow around 20 kg of luggage plus a small carry-on (about 7 kg), though this can vary depending on the bus company.

From my personal experience, the two overnight sleeper buses I took didn’t specify luggage restrictions, and no one actually checked the weight of our bags when we boarded- though to be fair, we were traveling pretty light.

That said, if you’re concerned about luggage allowance, it’s a good idea to double-check the details when you book. If there’s no clear info, it’s safest to stick to the typical 20 kg plus a small carry-on just to avoid any issues.

Safety tips for taking a sleeper bus in Vietnam

1. Book your tickets through a reliable platform and choose highly-rated, trustworthy bus companies. Avoid going with the cheapest options to ensure better bus conditions and service quality.
2. Leave extra time for possible delays. Avoid scheduling connecting transport or activities too close to the arrival time, and be sure to save the operator’s contact details just in case.
3. Double-check the pick-up/drop-off points and times to make sure they fit your schedule and the areas are safe.
4. Double-check that you’ve received your e-ticket before departure.
5. Keep your valuables safe while you sleep. (It’s best to avoid carrying valuables when traveling in Southeast Asia) Store them in a non-fancy bag, close to you, like under your pillow or by the window, to reduce the risk of theft.
6. Avoid direct contact with the bus’s pillows and blankets, even if they look clean. Using your own jacket or towel as a protective layer is a more hygienic option.
7. When boarding, take a moment to check your surroundings and notice who’s around you.
8. Bring a mask, hand sanitizer, and earplugs in case you need them.
9. Bring motion sickness meds if you get car sick easily, especially for mountain destinations.
10. Wear loose, comfy clothes that are good for sleeping.
11. Bring a light blanket or jacket, as the air conditioning on some buses can get quite cold.

After these two significantly different overnight bus experiences in Vietnam, I’d still recommend taking a sleeper bus if you want to save time on long-distance travel during the day, it’s definitely worth trying. However, make sure you carefully choose the bus company, bus type, and acknowledge the pick-up/drop-off locations. 

I hope this article helps you find a long-distance bus that can bring you on a safe, comfortable and smooth journey in Vietnam.