In this post I would like to describe our longest night bus journey from Dalat to Hanoi, this road is over 1500 km.

Toni’s brother, with whom we stayed in Dalat, helped us book a bus to the capital of Vietnam, where we intended to go. His help turned out to be invaluable, because it would be very difficult for us to get through the meanders of reservations and ensure fair transport for our bikes. The price turned out to be very favorable (together with the bikes we paid 100 USD) and not high compared to the competition. When we got out, it turned out why. It was a line serving only indigenous people and judging by the reaction to our arrival, tourists in could appear here for the first time. We were shown to pack our shoes in the bags and go to bed. Yes, yes, night buses do not have seating, but only lying. In three rows there are bunk beds, sizes unfortunately adapted only for Asians.

I quickly discovered only two possible positions (with my legs bent) in which I could fit on the bed. As the time of departure was approaching, there were more packages and our bikes from the hold were moved on the roof of the bus along with other packs.

We started at five in the morning and it was a very long way. The passengers constituted the entire social cross-section of Vietnam, through well-dressed young people, small children with mothers, and drunks grandpas. Near the driver there was a designated smoking area. The atmosphere was cheerful and nice and the ticket price included two meals in roadside eateries. The first of them we ate with all passengers and the second only with drivers (we were invited by them there) in a separate part of the restaurant and with a more varied menu. Unfortunately, the continuous stops and taking new luggage significantly extended our journey from 27 hours (planned) to 35. Our tears were somewhat sweetened by the fact that breakfast (not included in the ticket price) was also consumed with drivers (snails was served on the table). When we got there we felt like washed in the washing machine and I stretched for a really long time after trip. Despite the inconvenience, it was a very funny experience.