My trip with the night bus in Vietnam was really something else. I’ve been telling this story over and over again, and every single person who heard it threw up in their mouths a little. And now I’m sharing it with you! Brace yourselves, and if you’re eating or drinking something you might want to consider continuing later…
Train is full – bus it is!
My friends and I had been traveling in Vietnam for about a week or so. Our next destination was Nha Trang which was a 500km ride from Hoi An. We already traveled on the night train in Vietnam once (Hanoi – Hoi An) and since this is quite a comfy way of traveling we decided to book the night train again.
Too bad – the train was fully booked. The receptionist at the hotel we were staying at recommended taking the night bus. She told us traveling by night bus is a very good and comfortable option as well, and that the bus even has a toilet on board. Convinced by her advice we booked the Vietnam night bus. Oh if only we had known what was in store for us….
Night bus or disgusting disco?
The night bus isn’t hard to spot from far away, since the whole bus is lit up with blacklight and looks more like a riding disco. When entering the bus, which felt more like a fridge on wheels, a yelling Vietnamese man ordered us to go sit in the back. A reclining chair, a pillow and a blanket were waiting for us.
In the front of the bus a bunch of locals were chilling while watching very loud Vietnamese television. The bus driver was obviously best mates with his horn and brakes as he kept pulling up, braking and honking. Later on I’d learn this would go on for the entire trip.
I put on some earphones, tried to make myself comfy, attempted to ignore the fact that the pillows smelled like dirty unwashed hair and hoped I’d be able to doze off soon.
Note to self: drink less water before going on a bus
After being on the road for a couple of hours my bladder really started protesting and I had to pee. My friend Mindy had to go as well, and as girls always like to go to the bathroom together instead of alone (yes my dear male readers, this will still forever remain a mystery to you) we went to the back of the bus to find the toilet.
The toilet smelled awful. The light didn’t work, it didn’t have a toilet seat and it was completely wet. While sticking my phone inside my top so I could use the flashlight to see something I went first. Being an experienced Body Pumper I was doing my utter best to squat and not touch the wet toilet. Until the bus hit a bump: BOOM. There I was, sitting down in a whole lot of wet, undefined-but-you-can-guess, stuff. A shower had never been more appealing. Feeling dirty but with an empty bladder I then prepared myself for the night.
We’re here, hello Nha Trang!
I woke up after a good few hours of sleep and actually slept surprisingly well! But my good mood changed as soon as we drove into Nha Trang: a depressing, ugly, busy city. The night bus then stopped at the station where our bags were taken out of the bus and thrown on a big pile. I heard my friend Petra complaining and mumbling about her bag being wet, but as it had been raining and there were puddles of water everywhere I figured her bag fell into one of the puddles. We found a taxi driver who put our bags into his car and drove us to the hostel.
What is that smell?!
Our room wasn’t ready yet so we had to leave our bags at the reception. When I grabbed my bag I noticed it was wet as well. And then a really potent, disgusting smell started penetrating my nostrils…
Mindy’s bag was also wet, and even Desiree’s bag smelled like shit. We then realized that all four of our backpackers were entirely covered in whatever goes into a toilet when it leaves the human body. GROSS!!!
The toilet on the bus had been leaking on our bags the whole night! Not only were our backpacks wet, but also everything inside of our bags smelled like pee. All of our clothes were completely soaked. SO DISGUSTING!
Our hero the hostel manager
The hostel manager saw the looks of despair on our faces and must’ve realized we were close to bursting into tears. He offered to help wash our clothes and our backpacks.
One day later I ran into one of the laundry ladies. She took my hand and took me up to the rooftop where our bags were drying. She grabbed one of the bags, breathed in heavily and said “Ahhhhh!”. I smelled my bag and couldn’t believe they were able to take all the piss and what not out. Forever grateful I thanked her from the bottom of my heart.
Nha Trang is a very shitty place and I wouldn’t recommend going there. But if you ever do end up there, then by all means stay at Truong Giang hostel. I never met a manager who is so extremely friendly and helpful. Not only was he a real lifesaver with the drenched-in-piss-bags, but also when one of my friends got very sick. He sent her to a great hospital where she was very well taken care of. And a few days later, when I got robbed (did I mention Nha Trang is a shithole?) he accompanied me to the police station to be my translator 🙂
I hope you’re not too disgusted after reading this story 😉 Should you ever travel on a night bus in Vietnam then just make sure there is no toilet on board so nothing can leak on your bags. Or just don’t take a night bus in Vietnam at all, and jump on the train. Either way, I now always put my rain cover over my backpack as well. Better safe than sorry, you never know… 😉
The first picture in this article is edited with Eef’s Presets – get yours here.
❤ Eef
1 Comment
Raina
Really great post, I surely adore this site, keep on it.