Sleeper buses, a popular mode of transport for South Korean travelers connecting major tourist destinations in Vietnam, have been involved in a series of serious accidents. Following incidents in July that claimed the lives of 4 and 7 people in Hanoi and Dong Nai, respectively, another accident occurred on August 31 in Gia Lai province, resulting in 3 fatalities among 33 passengers.
According to local traffic police in Gia Lai, at approximately 3:10 a.m. local time, a sleeper bus with a Ho Chi Minh City license plate overturned near Hoai Phu Dong while traveling on National Route 19. The bus was en route from Ham Rong to Quy Nhon, and the driver has been identified as 33-year-old Nguyen Khanh Ha Long, a resident of An Khe.
The bus was carrying 33 passengers at the time of the accident. Three people died, and several others were injured. Local authorities and residents immediately launched rescue operations and transported the injured to hospitals.
Hung Vuong Hospital in Gia Lai reported that around 20 individuals related to the accident were admitted to the emergency room that morning. Among them, 3 were confirmed dead at the scene. The local leadership noted that it was raining at the time of the accident, making the roads slippery, and the exact cause of the crash is under investigation by the relevant authorities.
So far, tests conducted immediately after the accident have not indicated any alcohol or drug use by the driver. Gia Lai traffic police stated that preliminary tests showed no blood alcohol content, and drug tests returned negative results. The driver held a Class D license, and the bus's inspection certificate is valid until December 2027.
Earlier, on July 17, a sleeper bus in Hanoi veered off the highway, resulting in 4 deaths. The bus was traveling from Nghe An to Hanoi around midnight when it left the Pop Van-Khau Ze highway, crashed into a guardrail, and fell approximately 3.5 to 4.2 meters onto the road below.
The Hanoi accident involved 32 passengers. Three died at the scene, and one succumbed to injuries in the hospital. The driver, born in 1983, tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
On July 21, another accident in Dong Nai involved a sleeper bus that collided and caught fire, killing 7 people. This incident occurred around 2 a.m. on National Route 1 in Dong Nai City. The bus, traveling from Khanh Hoa to Ho Chi Minh City, struck the right-side guardrail, leading to the fire.
The Dong Nai accident resulted in 7 fatalities, including 3 children, and 9 injuries, with 2 of the injured also being children. The bus was carrying passengers, the driver, and an assistant, and most of the vehicle and its interior were destroyed by the fire.
Initial investigations into the Dong Nai accident suggest that driver fatigue and lack of attention were contributing factors. Authorities reported that the driver swerved to avoid a truck ahead, causing the bus to veer right and hit the guardrail, which then penetrated the vehicle's underside and near the front entry stairs, leading to rapid smoke and fire spread.
Following the accident, the driver and assistant opened the doors to assist passengers. However, the bus's main entrance operated on air pressure, and after the collision, the engine shut down, making it difficult to open the doors normally. The rapid spread of smoke and fire limited the rescue of passengers still seated in the rear.
Dong Nai authorities promptly initiated victim support and site recovery efforts. Nguyen Van Ut, the chairman of the Dong Nai People's Committee, inspected the scene and directed traffic control, property protection, and medical treatment for the injured. He ordered immediate support of 20 million dong for each deceased and 10 million dong for each injured.
The accidents on July 17 in Hanoi, July 21 in Dong Nai, and August 31 in Gia Lai all occurred during early morning hours involving long-distance sleeper bus operations. Combined, these incidents have resulted in 14 fatalities, and local authorities continue to investigate the causes after conducting rescue and treatment operations.
Meanwhile, sleeper buses in Vietnam are a vital transportation option for South Korean travelers connecting popular nearby cities such as Hanoi-Sapa, Ho Chi Minh City-Mui Ne, and Da Nang-Dalat. For a fare of just 1 to 2 million dong, travelers can enjoy long-distance travel while saving on accommodation costs when traveling overnight. The high-end 'two-row cabin buses,' equipped with private spaces, curtains, and USB charging ports, are particularly favored by South Koreans who prioritize hygiene and privacy, and they can be easily booked through local reservation platforms or offline travel agencies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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