Sleeper Bus from Hanoi to Vinh City

Taking a sleeper bus from Hanoi to Vinh City: Experience the route and lifestyle of Central Vietnam with mr.hotsia

For me, mr.hotsia, traveling by sleeper bus from Hanoi to Vinh City, Nghệ An Province, was both a challenging and memorable experience. This type of sleeper bus is popular in Vietnam and China. Even during the daytime, it is still a sleeper bus, which allowed me, at 185 centimeters tall, to have comfortable sleeping space without feeling cramped at all.

The sleeper bus station in Hanoi for this route is the same as the one for the bus to Vientiane. I have taken the Hanoi-Vientiane route before. The bus departs Hanoi around 8 PM and arrives in Vientiane in the afternoon. The Hanoi-Vinh sleeper bus departs a bit later, around noon, and arrives in Vinh in the late evening. Because the road through Nghệ An Province is still under construction, the bus travels much slower and also stops for about half an hour for dinner along the way.

One thing I noticed when boarding the sleeper bus here is that passengers are asked to take off their shoes at the bus door and put them in a bag to be stored at the head of our bed. I think this is a very good method because in cold cities like northern Vietnam and China, leather shoes worn by passengers often carry foot odor, which can become quite unpleasant. However, on this Hanoi to Vinh route, there was no excessive odor disturbance, which was quite acceptable.

Vinh City: An Extraordinary Destination

I know Vinh City well from several trips. It is a transit city for travelers going from Hanoi to Laos or vice versa.Vinh City, Nghệ An ProvinceIt is the birthplace of President Ho Chi Minh, giving it significant historical and cultural importance. Although I consider it the "least tourist-friendly" province in Vietnam that I have visited because the atmosphere and environment still seem somewhat underdeveloped, it has its own unique charm.

Upon arriving in Vinh by sleeper bus, I chose to stay near the central bus station, which is convenient for traveling to various places, including the large market and Big C mall, which has a diverse food court. Here you can find noodle soup, rice porridge, and a must-try dish made from the famous eel of this city.

Eel Soup and Local Cuisine of Vinh City

I spent two nights in Vinh tasting local dishes. One of my favorite dishes wasEel Soupand eel rice bowl, which is prepared delicately without any fishy smell. The small eel meat is tender and smooth. When eaten with Thai-style lime chili fish sauce, it is especially delicious. Along the city streets, there are many shops selling boiled eel and eel noodles, which are staple dishes not to be missed.

For breakfast, I usually ate at the hotel since it was included in the accommodation. For lunch and dinner, I chose to eat at the Big C supermarket or clean and safe street food stalls. There are also other Vietnamese dishes available, such as noodle soup and hot rice porridge, which help warm you up after a tiring journey.

Traveling Within the City and to Other Cities

After arriving in Vinh by sleeper bus, I had the chance to try traveling by train from Vinh Railway Station to Hue City. For those interested in continuing to Hue or other cities in Central Vietnam, the train is an attractive option because the travel time is reliable and it is not as delayed as regular cars. Although smoking occurs on the train and the food is average, it is still dependable.

The Vinh bus station is located in the city center, near the Thuong Hai Hotel where I stayed, and offers routes to nearby provinces. There is also another bus station focused on routes to Laos, located behind the large market and near Big C. This area has a different atmosphere, focusing on cross-border freight transport, with many trucks and lively activity.Vinh Bus StationSo it is a place I often stop by to observe the atmosphere.

Summary of Experience and Advice for Those Interested

If you are looking for local travel in Vietnam, the sleeper bus from Hanoi to Vinh City is an interesting option. Although it takes longer than the train and the roads are not yet perfect, you get to experience the atmosphere and lifestyle of locals on a unique, comfortable sleeper bus with the chance to enjoy the scenery along the way. The value of this experience is beyond words.

For those interested in trying this type of sleeper bus, prepare to take off your shoes and store them in a bag properly. Don't forget to ask to hang your bag at the head of your bed for more comfortable sleeping space. For those who dislike long rides, the train is an alternative, especially if you plan to continue to other cities in Central Vietnam.

Finally, if you come to visitVinh Citydon't forget to try the eel soup and truly experience the local lifestyle. This may not be the most beautiful main tourist city, but the sincerity and simplicity of the locals will leave a strong impression.