Its all about expectations! Are you going to get an extraordinary nights sleep.. no.. is it pristine clean ..no… but are you going to see beautiful countryside and share and moments with locals … yes… if you’re open to it… my time on board..babysat for 15 mins while a mum got food, met young elites head to toe in designer clothes and my last cabin buddy insisted on sharing food with me..as well as loadsa small interactions with kids and families…come prepared with what you are comfortable with, be open to embracing what it is…its not luxury but its not terrible, honestly apart from the clunky old train sounds its actually really peaceful.. and a true slice of being in here.. my only advice is… choose a bottom bunk and bring ear plugs and a hoodie…and try and time it so you get plenty of day time…the views are sometimes stunning sometimes nothing but overall .. super happy I did this.
The booking said we’d travel from 13:40 to 23:40. However we ended up leaving at 14:40 and not getting to Hanoi until 5am the next day so we had to cancel and rebook our hostel. Bed seats could not be adjusted and were very uncomfortable. Staff made some guy move seats for no reason and no explanation, just kept shouting at him to move or get off the bus until he agreed.
รถบัส วีไอพีนอน 41, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), 25 มิ.ย. 2022
EA
Eab A
One of the better train companies here. While it's a stretch to call this VIP, I did like the services provided. The views were incredible too. The beds were firm but it's expected. The toilet and washroom were nicer than the other train we took. We were given a light breakfast pack and some overnight drinks, which is welcomed. Though, they weren't enough for the 17 hour journey so we got some pot noodles and Bahn Mis before we got on the train and we used them to supplement the food we were given. The boiling water tap was very good and clean too, which helped get the noodles good too.
The train can be loud and rickety so best to have ear plugs.
For the money though, I'd choose a cabin bus instead for a more comfortable journey. The views are just as nice on the buses.
After reading reviews for bus companies I noticed that Tam Kim Chi had some poor reviews so booked with Duc Duong. We showed up early to a station that was an empty shell of a building (not abnormal for SEA) but we only knew it was the station because we know some Vietnamese. The company name was not found anywhere. When a bus arrived at the scheduled time it was a Kim Chi 265 bus. They did not check tickets when boarding, only asking us our destination. I am not sure if Tam Kim Chi and Kim Chi 265 are related.
I am 6'2 188cm and barely fit which was expected. The bus seats and aisles do not accommodate wide bodies, so be aware.
The driving was immediately too fast, passing other road users at every opportunity. This continued with harsh braking and acceleration. Also, the horn was used nearly every five seconds. It was audible at the back of the bus.
The AC worked very well, the TV's did not work except to display someone else's YouTube video. Chargers worked. The WiFi worked most of the time.
At the restroom stop (no bathroom on board) there were six other buses stopping at the same time for two female toilets causing a large line. The driver then started to leave before a passenger that was not yet on the bus appeared in front of it.
They did provide water and blankets. Curtains worked well and bus was not blasting music or anything. The bus was also clean and relatively new.
รถบัส วีไอพีนอน 34, Duc Duong Bus, 18 มี.ค. 2024
GK
Genichi K
Map is wrong
Destination is wrong
รถบัส รถนอน 41 ที่นั่ง, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), 22 ต.ค. 2023
Wi-Fi - The WiFi was very temperamental and kept disconnecting.
Driver - Very fast, which I don’t mind but his braking is very late and took turns too late.
Comfort - The bed due to the plastic can be sticky. A small pillow would be great.
TV - Did not work.
รถบัส วีไอพี 34, Tan Kim Chi (Tân Kim Chi), 10 ต.ค. 2023
