Sleeping bus – well no, not exactly
Vietnam has a wonderful way to travel between cities that are spread out. It is called a sleeping bus. Sounds like a great idea – fully reclined seats that allow you to sleep while you travel overnight to your next destination.
In principle, this can be a comfy way to travel. But only if you are under five feet tall, which we are not. I am a reasonably tall girl at 1.78m, but my husband Schalk comes in at 1.96m. So our first sleeping bus experience was interesting.
Each bus has three rows of double-stacked sleeping births. The back row differs depending on whether the bus has a toilet on board, but this was the only place Schalk could sort-of fit. His feet dangle off the edge much to the bus conductor’s annoyance.
To make things more comfortable, you are expected to remove your shoes in front and are given a plastic packet for them. Unfortunately, there is no space for carry-on luggage, so in our case, we had to place these bags of shoes on our laps, together with a rucksack each.
Once you are settled in and have found some way to get as comfortable as possible, the disco music and lights start to get you in the mood for a good night’s rest. The experience is a little bizarre, to say the least.
Three legs on the sleeping bus, and three cities further, we have now spent a few days longer in Hoi An than originally anticipated. Partly this is due to it being a lovely quaint little town, but it is also because we are faced with a 24hr bus trip to get to Ho Chi Minh City (a bus ticket already paid for as part of the ‘open’ sleeping bus ticket).
This morning we had an honest conversation with each other and booked a flight. Yes, we are weak, but older and have better credit than most backpackers. Hence, we are both in full agreement on this call.
In principle, this can be a comfy way to travel. But only if you are under five feet tall, which we are not. I am a reasonably tall girl at 1.78m, but my husband Schalk comes in at 1.96m. So our first sleeping bus experience was interesting.
Each bus has three rows of double-stacked sleeping births. The back row differs depending on whether the bus has a toilet on board, but this was the only place Schalk could sort-of fit. His feet dangle off the edge much to the bus conductor’s annoyance.
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| Jammed into your sleeping bus |
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| Sleeping bus is perfect if you are under five feet tall |
Once you are settled in and have found some way to get as comfortable as possible, the disco music and lights start to get you in the mood for a good night’s rest. The experience is a little bizarre, to say the least.
Three legs on the sleeping bus, and three cities further, we have now spent a few days longer in Hoi An than originally anticipated. Partly this is due to it being a lovely quaint little town, but it is also because we are faced with a 24hr bus trip to get to Ho Chi Minh City (a bus ticket already paid for as part of the ‘open’ sleeping bus ticket).
This morning we had an honest conversation with each other and booked a flight. Yes, we are weak, but older and have better credit than most backpackers. Hence, we are both in full agreement on this call.
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