Seven people, including three children, were killed and five others injured when a sleeper bus crashed and burst into flames in southern Vietnam’s Dong Nai City early on July 21, 2026.
The accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on National Highway 1 in Hung Thinh Commune. The bus, traveling from Ninh Thuan Province to Ho Chi Minh City, struck roadside embankments before catching fire. Flames spread rapidly through the cabin, trapping passengers inside.
Witnesses reported that passengers rushed to the front of the bus to escape, with some jumping out of windows. Local residents attempted rescue efforts with extinguishers, but the fire consumed the vehicle within minutes.
Authorities confirmed that the driver, Tran Thanh Hai, 41, admitted to feeling drowsy before the crash. He tested negative for drugs and alcohol. Preliminary investigations suggest driver fatigue and possible mechanical failure as contributing factors.
Firefighters arrived quickly and took about 30 minutes to control the blaze. Survivors were rushed to Dong Nai General Hospital, where five remain under treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.
The bus was completely destroyed, reduced to its charred frame. Officials have launched a full investigation into the incident, focusing on driver negligence, road conditions, and safety standards for sleeper buses.
This tragedy has reignited concerns over Vietnam’s long-distance sleeper buses, which are popular for overnight travel but often criticized for poor safety measures and inadequate emergency exits.
