A sleeper bus fire in southern Vietnam early Sunday occurred after the vehicle crashed into a guardrail and burst into flames, trapping passengers inside.
The accident occurred around 2 a.m. on National Highway 1 in Dong Nai City as the bus traveled from Dau Giay toward Bien Hoa. According to preliminary reports, the driver lost control near the Song Thao T-junction in Hung Thinh Commune, veering into a roadside barrier.
The impact sparked a fire that quickly engulfed the fuel tank, authorities said. Flames blocked both the entrance and exit, preventing passengers from escaping. Emergency responders arrived shortly after receiving the report and worked to extinguish the blaze. However, the fire spread rapidly, leaving the vehicle completely burned out, with only its frame remaining.
Driver fell asleep at the wheel, investigation shows
The driver, identified as 41-year-old Tran Thanh Hai from Khanh Hoa Province, survived the crash. Officials said he tested negative for alcohol and drugs but appeared to have dozed off behind the wheel.
Dong Nai General Hospital said it is treating two victims injured in the incident. At around 4:30 a.m. on the same day, the hospital’s emergency department received two patients transferred from Trang Bom Regional Medical Center. Both patients were conscious and responsive, with stable vital signs and no fever or breathing difficulties, and were initially diagnosed with burns.
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Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.
Sleeper buses remain a common but risky travel option
Sleeper buses—double-decker coaches with bunk-style beds—are a popular mode of long-distance travel in Vietnam, offering an affordable alternative to trains and flights. But safety concerns have persisted for years, particularly around fire risks and driver fatigue.
Photos from the scene show the bus reduced to a charred skeleton, its windows shattered and interior gutted. Rescue teams later removed the wreckage from the highway.
The accident occurred on National Highway 1 in Hung Thinh Commune, Dong Nai City, southern Vietnam. Graphic: Tuan Anh / Tuoi Tre