Bus is a convenient way of travel no matter whether you need to get to a neighboring town a couple of hours away or venture further afield crossing the whole country. Whatever your budget, buses have you covered. Express buses offer the most affordable ticket price for travellers who have very little money to spend. VIP options are geared toward those who do not want to compromise on comfort. Before you jump on a bus, make sure you choose the type of service which suits you best. For a long-haul trip look for a VIP or first-class coach which provides non-stop service to your destination or just call a minor number of stations along the way. Express or local buses in many cases may prove an acceptable choice for shorter trips, but longer rides are often not the best buy. Study the timetable before going as many long-haul destinations are served by night buses, and some offer wider seats or sleeper berths for such travels. Make an online reservation for your bus ticket with Grouptour. Other travellers’ reviews will help you to choose the best ticket and coach class.
Grouptour Popular Stations
The main stations covered by Grouptour’s buses include:
Cao Bang
Langdong Bus Station
217 Ho Nghinh
Hanoi SSB
Vientiane Southern Bus Station
Sapa SSB
Ba Be Lake View Homestay
Ha Giang City Hostel
Dien Bien Phu Bus station
Hanoi Opera House
Hanoi Nuoc Ngam Station
The GOAT Bar Coffee Restaurant
Ho Chi Minh Hanh Cafe
Hanoi Airport
Nga Ba Kim Market
Hoian Luxury SSB
24 Nguyen Trai
HAIPHONG LUXURY
Sapa Office Luxury SSB
Hanoi Airport
Vina Solar Hotel
Hoi An 190 Ton Duc Thang street
Friendship Pass
Vinh Phuc city
Mu Cang Chai SSB
Da Nang
The long Hotel SSB
Y Ty Village
Napolis Pizza Bar Tam Coc Ninh binh
Hoi An SSB
Puluong SB
Hanoi Noi Bai Airport
Mai Chau Bus
12 Pham Van Dong
Phong Nha Central Full Moon
HUE OPENBUS
23 Le Thanh Street
60 Tran Nhan Tong
Van Don Ship port
Hue City Center 37B Nguyen Thai Hoc street
Oasis Coffee Bungalow Restaurant
04 Hang Chinh Maison Mackeno
Hanoi Office
Hai Duong Hotel Transfer
Mai Chau
Da Nang Bus station 38 Nguyen Tri Phuong street
Yolo Ha Giang Adventures
SAOVIET LAOCAI Office
Tu Le Luxury SSB
37 Mai Hac De
Cao Bang Hotel Transfer
Cao Bang
Halong SB
64 Huynh Thuc Khang
Lang Son SSB
Central Circus
Tan Quang
293 Pham Ngu Lao
Dien Bien Bus Terminal
Hanoi SSB1
Trang An SSB
23 Nguyen Tat Thanh
Hai Phong SSB
Lang Son SSB
Halong SB1
Ha Long Bus Stop
Doan ket homestay
106 Phong Chau
Hanoi Airport
Bac Ha SSB
Tu Le Luxury SSB
Ta Xua Welcome Gate Junction
Hanoi Naluang Bus station
HaGiang SB Office
HAGIANG SLEEPING
Tan Binh Office
LAO CAI international border gate
Nha Trang Nothern Bus Station
Cat Ba Town
Friendship Pass
Ninh Binh OpenBus
Ninh Binh Office
Dragon Cloud Glass Bridge
156 Tran Quang Khai
Catba office
Sapa
GO Quy Nhon
Nam Thang hotel
Phong Nha SSB
Danang Offcie SB
582 Duong Dien Bien Phu
Nha Trang Office
Sapa SSB
Mui Ne SSB
Mui Ne
161 Ho Nghinh
Yen Bai Hotel Transfer
Central Backpackers Hostel Phong Nha
19 Duong So 13
23 Nguyen Tat Thanh
Hanoi Tho Thap
Hoi An Office limousine
Full Moon Bus Nha Trang
Sapa
02 Dao Duy Tu
Trang An Boat Station
Quan 5 Bus Stop
Sapa Bus Station
Halong Bay Tuan Chau
Halong SSB1
Lao Cai SSB
Cao Bang Luxury SSB
Eco park Hung Yen
Hanoi SB
NINHNINH SLEEPINGBUS
Trang An SSB
Topas SaPa
110 Da Nang Street Hai Phong
Hagiang Office SSB
Nha Hang 0km Tam Coc
78 Tran Quang Khai
Dong van Sleepbus
Mai Chau Valley View
Ha Giang
Viet tri Phu Tho
Sapa SSB1
Nha Trang SSB
Hanh Cafe Office Nha Trang
LAO CAI SB OFFICE
Daiichi Cat Ba Office
Ho Chi Minh Office
Da Nang Office Limousine
95 Nguyen Duy Duong
Hanoi Airport
32 Thich Quang Duc
229 Pham Ngu Lao
Amazing Bus 116 QL13
Mong Cai SSB
Tuan Chau Luxxury SSB
Tram Tau
Moc Chau
Suoi Giang
24 Pasteur Nha Trang
117 Nguyen Dinh Chieu
Hue Office
Cat Bi Airport
HOI AN OPENBUS
Van Don International Airport
F1 Result Pham Hong Thai
99 Bui Thi Xuan
211 Nui Ngoc
Cao bang office
Thakhek
100 Tran Phu Ha Giang
Gateway Inn Pu Luong
Danang Luxury SSB
Cat Bi International Airport
Hanoi
Hanoi Opera House
Ninh Binh SSB
Ninh Binh Luxury SSB
332 Hung Vuong Street
Big C Thang Long
Luxury no78 Tran Quang Khai
Ha Long International Cruise Port
61 Hung Vuong Street
Da Nang City Center at 38 Nguyen Tri Phuong street
Dien Bien Phu SSB
Van Don
Bac Giang City
Mu cang chai
Ha Giang Moment Homestay
07 Doi Cung
114 Tran Nhat Duat Street
Bac Ninh Hotel Transfer
28 Huynh Thuc Khang
Catba Station SSB
939 Giai phong Street
Halong SB1
16 Tran Nhat Duat
332 An Duong Vuong
Pham Ngu Lao Nam Hai Office
356 Huynh Thuc Khang
301 Pham Ngu Lao
Hagiang SB Station
Boarding point Ruby Cruise
Vua Xu Mu Cafe
141 Ho Nghinh
Cat Ba SSB
Van Don Ship port
Ninh Binh City Hotel Transfer
Ninh Binh Viet Nam
Cang Cai Rong
4 Hoang Dieu
Vinhome Ocean park1
Hagiang Hostel AK Group Tour
Ha Noi
Lo Lo Chai
Grouptour 78 Tran Quang Khai
Hanoi Airport
4 Hoang Dieu
Hue Office Limousine
34 Thich Quang Duc
Hanoi Grouptour
05 Doi Cung
28 Nguyen Binh Khiem
The Long Hotel Tam Coc
MCC 1
Pham Ngu Lao Bus Station
Ninh Binh Hotel Transfer
Oudomxay bus station
Muong Khua SSB
Lao Bao SSB
PHONG NHA OPENBUS
Hanoi Airport
Thai Nguyen Hotel Transfer
Mikes Travel Agency
Lai Chau City
Hagiang SB Sleeping
17 Duong Luong The Vinh
Hue Luxury SSB
Ha Long Essence Classic
Phongnha Luxury SSB
Ninh Binh Viet Nam
Nha Trang Hanh Cafe
Pu Luong
156 Tran Quang Khai Street
Phong Nha
Tuan Chau Transfer
Halong Bay Transfer
Lao Cai
Bai Chay Bus station
Danang SSB
Dalat An Phu
Mui Ne An Phu
Hoi An An Phu
Hanoi Sb1
Moc Chau SSB
Puluong SSB
CATBA 175A
The Long Hotel SB
Ninh Binh limousine
Hanh cafe
Yen Nhi Hotel SB
7 Pham Van Dong Street
HAlONG OPEN BUS
Ninh Binh Bus
Ha Giang Riverside Hostel
DIEN BIEN PHU SB
Cau Treo SSB
44 Chu van An Street
78 Tran Quang Khai
Toyota Quang Ninh
CATBAGO Booking Office
Mong Cai Hotel Transfer
Lao Cai international border gate
Lao Cai SSB
Moc Chau SSB
Ta Van Muong Va Valley Homestay
Grouptour Top Destinations
Grouptour buses ply a number of routes and here is the list of some of the most popular ones:
One of the best things about bus travel is that you can almost tailor-make your trip adjusting it to your requirements for privacy and comfort. Different classes and types of buses cater to the different needs of travellers. The cheapest trips are normally offered by standard-class buses. They may be called local, express or ordinary. These are a good choice for shorter trips. Sleepers or VIP coaches are good both for longer and overnight trips. They may offer berths or wide soft reclining seats, sometimes with built-in massage options, blankets, soft drinks, and snacks, or more substantial meals on board or during toilet or refuelling stops. Travelling by night buses allows you to save on a hotel room, but to ensure the most comfortable ride do choose the class of your bus wisely. Prices always depend on the distance you ride and the type of coach. For some, even shorter trips, it is worth investing some extra money and buying a seat on a VIP bus as it can save you twice as much time as you spend travelling by an ordinary bus.
Travel by Bus: Pros & Cons
Pros of Bus Travel
Bus is the best choice to get to destinations that are not connected by rail or planes. The network of buses often covers almost the whole country, and their routes are well and long-established.
Opposite to air travel and sometimes rail travel, taking a bus does not require arriving at the bus station much in advance. Check-in, even on international routes, does not take much time. Luggage allowances are usually very traveller-friendly, and the fee for extra luggage, if limits are set, is normally not very high.
Bus tickets can be more affordable compared to air or fast train tickets. There is always a choice of ticket classes for all pockets. Cheaper standard options may be a bit slow and do not offer top comfort, but anyway acceptable and bring you to your destination. On longer routes, toilets or toilet stops as well as snacks, water, and sometimes toiletries and blankets are almost always included in the price.
If you are ready to spend more, some VIP coaches offer seating comparable to business class on a plane with wide soft reclining seats, blankets, fewer passengers, and many other perks to make your trip a pleasant journey.
Cons of Bus Travel
Newer intercity bus terminals are very often located out of the city close to bigger highways to allow buses to avoid city congestion. Unfortunately, it may create extra challenges for travellers, too. Getting to such a terminal may be a problem as in some destinations there are restrictions on vehicles allowed to enter the terminal, and you will have to use special carriers to get there. This results in higher costs as prices may be inflated. Also do calculate extra time if you are travelling during rush hours, especially if you are not familiar with the traffic situation at your starting point.
Buses are probably the means of transport which runs out of schedule more often than trains or planes. They are heavily dependent on the road situation which sometimes can be unpredictable – accidents, road construction works, detours, etc. This is especially true for travels during weekends, high season, or national holidays. Do keep this in mind and do not plan tight connections.
Travelling on certain routes or during the most popular periods may require advanced booking. Bear in mind that it is not always possible to show up at the bus station and hop on the next bus – tickets may well be all sold out, so organize your trip accordingly.
The GOAT Bar Coffee RestaurantHo Chi Minh Hanh CafeHanoi AirportNga Ba Kim MarketHoian Luxury SSB24 Nguyen TraiHAIPHONG LUXURYSapa Office Luxury SSBHanoi AirportVina Solar HotelHoi An 190 Ton Duc Thang streetFriendship PassVinh Phuc cityMu Cang Chai SSBDa NangMong Cai Hotel TransferThe long Hotel SSBY Ty VillageNapolis Pizza Bar Tam Coc Ninh binhMoc Chau SSBHoi An SSBPuluong SBHanoi Noi Bai AirportMai Chau Bus12 Pham Van DongPhong Nha Central Full MoonBai Chay Bus stationHUE OPENBUS23 Le Thanh StreetCATBA 175A60 Tran Nhan TongDanang SSBVan Don Ship portHue City Center 37B Nguyen Thai Hoc streetOasis Coffee Bungalow Restaurant04 Hang Chinh Maison MackenoCao BangHanoi OfficeHai Duong Hotel TransferMai ChauDa Nang Bus station 38 Nguyen Tri Phuong streetYolo Ha Giang AdventuresSAOVIET LAOCAI OfficeTu Le Luxury SSB37 Mai Hac DeLangdong Bus StationHoi An An PhuCao Bang Hotel TransferCao BangHalong SB64 Huynh Thuc KhangLang Son SSBCentral CircusTan Quang293 Pham Ngu LaoDien Bien Bus TerminalMoc Chau SSBHanoi SSB1Trang An SSB23 Nguyen Tat ThanhHai Phong SSBThe Long Hotel SBLang Son SSBHalong SB1Ha Long Bus StopDoan ket homestay106 Phong ChauMui Ne An PhuDalat An PhuHanoi AirportBac Ha SSBTu Le Luxury SSBTa Xua Welcome Gate JunctionHanoi Naluang Bus station217 Ho NghinhHaGiang SB OfficeHAGIANG SLEEPINGTan Binh OfficeLAO CAI international border gateNha Trang Nothern Bus StationToyota Quang NinhCat Ba TownHanoi SSBFriendship PassNinh Binh OpenBusNinh Binh OfficeDragon Cloud Glass Bridge156 Tran Quang KhaiCatba officeTa Van Muong Va Valley HomestaySapaLao Cai SSBGO Quy NhonNam Thang hotelPhong Nha SSBDanang Offcie SB582 Duong Dien Bien PhuNha Trang OfficeSapa SSBMui Ne SSBMui Ne161 Ho Nghinh78 Tran Quang KhaiYen Bai Hotel TransferCentral Backpackers Hostel Phong Nha19 Duong So 1323 Nguyen Tat ThanhHanoi Tho ThapHoi An Office limousineFull Moon Bus Nha TrangSapaHAlONG OPEN BUS02 Dao Duy TuTrang An Boat StationQuan 5 Bus StopSapa Bus StationHalong Bay Tuan ChauNinh Binh limousine44 Chu van An StreetHalong SSB1Lao Cai SSBCao Bang Luxury SSBEco park Hung YenHanoi SBNINHNINH SLEEPINGBUSTrang An SSBTopas SaPa110 Da Nang Street Hai PhongHagiang Office SSBNha Hang 0km Tam Coc78 Tran Quang KhaiDong van SleepbusMai Chau Valley ViewVientiane Southern Bus StationNinh Binh BusHa GiangViet tri Phu ThoSapa SSB1Nha Trang SSBHanh Cafe Office Nha TrangLAO CAI SB OFFICESapa SSBDaiichi Cat Ba OfficeHo Chi Minh OfficeDa Nang Office Limousine95 Nguyen Duy DuongHanoi Airport32 Thich Quang Duc229 Pham Ngu LaoAmazing Bus 116 QL13Hanoi Sb1Mong Cai SSBTuan Chau Luxxury SSBPuluong SSBTram TauMoc ChauSuoi Giang24 Pasteur Nha Trang117 Nguyen Dinh ChieuHue OfficeCat Bi AirportCATBAGO Booking OfficeHOI AN OPENBUSVan Don International AirportF1 Result Pham Hong Thai99 Bui Thi Xuan211 Nui NgocCao bang officeThakhek100 Tran Phu Ha GiangGateway Inn Pu LuongDanang Luxury SSBCat Bi International AirportHanoiHanoi Opera HouseNinh Binh SSBNinh Binh Luxury SSB332 Hung Vuong StreetBig C Thang LongLuxury no78 Tran Quang KhaiHa Long International Cruise PortHa Giang Riverside Hostel61 Hung Vuong StreetDa Nang City Center at 38 Nguyen Tri Phuong streetDien Bien Phu SSBLao Cai international border gateVan DonBac Giang CityMu cang chaiHa Giang Moment Homestay07 Doi CungCau Treo SSB114 Tran Nhat Duat StreetBac Ninh Hotel Transfer28 Huynh Thuc KhangCatba Station SSB939 Giai phong StreetHalong SB116 Tran Nhat Duat332 An Duong VuongPham Ngu Lao Nam Hai Office356 Huynh Thuc Khang301 Pham Ngu LaoHagiang SB StationBoarding point Ruby CruiseVua Xu Mu Cafe141 Ho NghinhBa Be Lake View HomestayCat Ba SSBDIEN BIEN PHU SBVan Don Ship portNinh Binh City Hotel TransferNinh Binh Viet NamCang Cai RongHa Giang City Hostel4 Hoang DieuVinhome Ocean park1Hagiang Hostel AK Group TourHanh cafeHa NoiLo Lo ChaiGrouptour 78 Tran Quang KhaiHanoi AirportDien Bien Phu Bus station4 Hoang DieuLao CaiHue Office Limousine34 Thich Quang DucHanoi Grouptour05 Doi Cung28 Nguyen Binh KhiemThe Long Hotel Tam Coc7 Pham Van Dong StreetMCC 1Pham Ngu Lao Bus StationNinh Binh Hotel TransferOudomxay bus stationMuong Khua SSBLao Bao SSBPHONG NHA OPENBUSHanoi AirportYen Nhi Hotel SBThai Nguyen Hotel TransferHanoi Opera HouseMikes Travel AgencyLai Chau CityHagiang SB Sleeping17 Duong Luong The VinhHue Luxury SSBHa Long Essence ClassicHanoi Nuoc Ngam StationPhongnha Luxury SSBNinh Binh Viet NamNha Trang Hanh CafePu Luong156 Tran Quang Khai StreetPhong NhaTuan Chau TransferHalong Bay Transfer
Grouptour Company Reviews
K S
KAORI S
Unreliable operator, wrong information, should avoid it. Better to ask the bus arrangement to the hostel owner.
Actually the bus I got is different company.
I wanted to pick me up at hostel on the way, so I contacted them but it was terrible. the contact No. of Whatsapp was not working, I sent message to the hotline No. by Zalo but just replied to me send email.then, I sent email and got a confirmation. However, I had to wait around 1hour. However, the hostel owne didn't know this operator and he said that no bus leaves 12:15pm which the voucher shows. He called one of the number in voucher and asked the bus company name but the person didn't tell and hang up the phone.
then, a bus passed by in front of us, didn't stop. the owner gave me a bike ride and chased it, then I could get on. the journey was too long stopping at many points for passenger and freight. In Hanoi, we had to get off at other points, not My Dinh bus terminal. It is the worst bus trip experience ever in Vietnam.
Bus Sleeper 38, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Sep 3, 2026
P B
Pavankumar B
it is a comfortable journey however it did happen with lot of ifs and buts.
Like pickup is late, uncertain in ticket issuing, uncertain in pickup timings - i understand it is due to festival and weekend season. So, it is a one of the days.
Overall, i recommend the Journey with group tours, gille, Anh and all others helped a lot with information clear enough. I appreciate the help
Bus Standard, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Aug 30, 2026
N C
NICOLA C
Got transfer cancelled and rescheduled 2 hrs in advance and with a different solution ( cabin bus in place of van). Very small Refund provided, not even covering for the difference in ticket cost.new solution (s trip) very efficient though
Van Van + Van, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Aug 25, 2026
C A
Chiara A
Drivers smoke in the bus
Bus Semi Sleeper, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Aug 20, 2026
M T
Mio T
Very hot in the cabin at the beginning and not deareased for long time.
Every drink were quite hot.
Operator
Van Minivan 7pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Aug 14, 2026
M P
Magdalena P
The trip started surprising by getting a taxi first to get to the point where bus was placed. We were not informed of it. We found out only after we called the operator that the bus was not coming. After taxi picked us up - we didn’t know where we were going. The trip was supposed to start at 7:30 from Hanoi, but it started at 9:00. Then during the trip we stopped randomly at various places with no information why or whether it was a break or not. Once we stopped at mechanic for over 1 hour because who knows why, but all the tires had to be pumped up. Then we stopped in the middle of the highway and waited there for over 30 minutes for another car to drop a woman who joined is on the bus. We were supposed to have 30 minutes lunch break, but after 15 minutes the bus boss said we have to go back. The bus boss also wanted us to double pay for the trip (he had no idea we already paid) and translating to him we already paid took another 15 minutes. Overall, we were supposed to be at 4pm at Phong Nha. We came at 6pm after stressful trip.
Bus VIP 22, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Aug 8, 2026
M J
MUNJIN J
On the afternoon of July 24th, I booked a bus to Nanning departing at 5:30 the following morning. On the day of the reservation, I took a Grab taxi through heavy rain, thunder, and lightning, and arrived at the meeting point at 5:15 AM—fifteen minutes early—but my bus was nowhere to be found, and the travel agency was closed. While I was waiting, a motorbike driver next to me told me that the agency had closed and the pickup location had been moved elsewhere. I didn't believe him at first, but when the bus still hadn't arrived even after 5:30 AM had passed, I trusted him and got on his motorbike. He dropped me off about 1 km away and demanded over 200,000 VND. Worried that I might miss my bus, I paid the fee and headed to where the buses were supposed to be, only to find that they were not the Nanning-bound buses I had booked, but buses bound for Sapa. That was when I realized I had been scammed. Thinking I needed to get back to the original location, I took another Grab taxi, but the bus was still nowhere in sight. My clothes were completely soaked from the rain, and I was about to give up and call a Grab taxi home when the owner of the travel agency suddenly appeared and asked if I was waiting for a bus. When I asked why the bus wasn't coming, he admitted there wasn't one but said he would find another. After making a phone call, he managed to book me on a bus departing at 7:00 AM from a different travel agency about 15 minutes away by taxi. Still in my soaked clothes, I had to wait another hour before finally catching the bus to Nanning. I had been up since 4:00 AM getting ready, only to end up drenched in the rain, scammed by a motorbike driver, and thoroughly miserable before finally reaching the Chinese border. While several factors were to blame—the bad weather, a dishonest motorbike driver, and my own foolish decision—the bus company's irresponsible behavior deserves to be condemned. I hope no other innocent travelers will suffer the same fate after reading this.
Bus Tourist bus, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jul 28, 2026
M D
Maria D
One of the best service bus in vietnam, kind and respectful people ,also they leave us at the hotel's door late at night
Bus Express 29, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jul 27, 2026
S M
Susan M
Good trip. The border crossing is always a hassle. Make sure you do a pre arrival for China before you leave or have good internet to do it online at the border.
Bus Tourist bus, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jul 16, 2026
L C
Ludovic C
Très bien. Reactif
Bus VIP16 Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jul 13, 2026
J A
Judith A
Pick up was a little away from station, phone signal was not working properly, so took us a while to get details, and van had actually set off without us, so had to turn around and come back, which they did quite quickly.
Van Shared van 6 pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jul 12, 2026
P A
Paulo A
Smooth journey to the China border, with room for minor improvementsWe recently used this service for our trip from Hanoi to the Chinese border. Overall, the experience was positive and everything went smoothly, though the communication at the start could be improved.We started at their office in Hanoi. The departure was slightly delayed, and they sent us a message asking us to wait on the corner of that same street instead of the office. A private car picked us up there and took us to the main limousine bus. Later on, closer to the border, we had to switch cars once more.Everything went well during the trip, and we arrived safely. The only downside was the final drop-off location; we felt they could have dropped us off a bit closer to the actual border checkpoint to save us some walking.That being said, it is a reliable service and we would recommend it.
Bus Van VIP, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jul 9, 2026
K G
Kenneth G
Fun, interesting to see the country side and different cities and how fast and comfortable the speed trains are. Enjoy using 12Go, it’s fast service, get pdf ticket fast, the train station only needs to see passport. Then find my seat. Loads of storage on train.
Bus Tourist bus, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jul 5, 2026
B C
Breonna C
OK! First of all, if taking the buses to save you $100, don't do it. You take the bus to have a unique experience. To slow travel. To push outside of what you know. But most of the reviews are from folks who were looking for a standard travel convenience while saving money. You will be disappointed. But we LOVED our journey. And if you're excited to take the bus. Here's your life hack toolkit!
First of all...review the reviews! Some brokers connect you to better buses than others. This one was great. But we met others who had less than stellar experiences. That said, if you get a bus you're uncomfortable with in ANY way, just call 12go and rebook. Safety is never worth compromising. And some folks we met that booked on other routes paid for multiple bunks but were squished into fewer beds. I HIGHLY recommend ensuring you book a VIP 20 or 21 (indicating the number of beds on the bus) vs. the VIP 40 (way too many people). Again, the increase of cost is small for the comfort. The best seats are in the middle of the bus on the uppers if you can get them (windows, less bumps, more comfortable). I prefer the lowers but I don't mind not having a window because I'm asleep most of the time. I highly recommend you take the 5:45pm/6pm bus out of Hanoi. It will have very few stops but you sleep. The bus arrives at the border of Laos at 1am and then there are restrooms (bring toilet paper!) and food options there. It will park at the border until they open at 7am and they let everyone through.
When you book, you will get a voucher but you need to exchange it for ACTUAL TICKETS at the bus station. Get there early. At least an hour. Exchange your tickets, you will have to ask around to find your bus stall. The folks at the desk might know but don't count on it. Give yourself time. Meet the drivers, get your bags on, grab a seat. The real cheat code to a good trip (by train or bus) is to pre game with good snacks. Make sure you get Bahn Mi that you love, have fresh fruit, water and your favorite sweet and salty snacks. A pre game the day before your travel makes all the difference. Options on the road can be great but don't count on them.
The border crossing is going to be hectic. Roll with it. You should ABSOLUTELY get your visa at the embassy BEFORE you board the bus. Visas on arrival are not typically issued at the border crossings for all buses and you have no way of knowing exactly where your bus will cross in advance. Don't chance it. The bus WILL LEAVE YOU. The visa process is simple, you go to the Lao Embassy in Hanoi and drop off your passport, two passport photos and complete their application (I recommend you go first thing in the morning) and they can usually have it back at the end of day or early the next morning. When you cross, you will have your visa inspected. Then you will need to have it processed (pay for a stamp 15K Dong each), then get a Lao stamp. It took us an hour to get through it all but it was a fun adventure with all the other foreigners. Then you walk through the border crossing all the way to meet your bus. You can leave your luggage on the bus and just cross on foot.
Then you're back on the bus and have another 2-3 hours until another long stop for lunch, bathrooms and hydration. We slept most of the journey. After that it's about another 4 hours to Vientiane Southern Bus Station. The bus station is outside of town and you will need to get a TukTuk. Many of the vendors/stalls along the journey will have both Vietnamese Dong and Laotian Kip. Ask for change in kip so you have some when you get to the bus station. Once you're in town there are tons of ATMs. But you will have to haggle for your TukTuk ride into town. It's about 100K-150K kip.
Life is about taking the road less traveled and a 24-hour bus ride across the Laotian border definitely qualifies. We enjoyed the journey so much and have taken trains and buses all across South East Asia. Enjoy! I'm on IG @liveBQD for more!
Bus VIP 20, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jun 26, 2026
K N
KAZUE N
I slept very well and it was very comfortable. However, there was no guidance at the reception, and no drinks were offered. The trip was fantastic.
Van Shared van 6 pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jun 6, 2026
J J
Judith J
Excellent. Close to station. Waited while o ate breakfast. Took to hotel door
Van Shared van 6 pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), May 29, 2026
T O
Tamas O
The service was 20-25 minutes delayed but everything was smooth and well.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), May 25, 2026
W P
Wayne P
Was under the impression that we would be travelling in a smaller bus for 6 passengers, ended up being a 14/16 seater.
There wasn’t enough room for luggage in back of bus, so bags stacked in door entry. Tour guide had to stand as no seats left.
Van Shared van 6 pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), May 22, 2026
K P
Kathrin P
Very good driver! Very easy booking. Very good support.
Van Shared van 6 pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Apr 23, 2026
E D
eugenie D
The driver was 20 min late and I phoned the 12 go hotline and the woman was extremely rude.
Am very hesitant to book with the company again
Van Shared van 6 pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Apr 20, 2026
M H
Melissa H
Hanoi Opera House - Ba Be Lake Homestay. I had contacted the hotline because I was worried the driver hadn't turned up and there weren't and other people waiting there. I called the hotline, which called the driver and was helpful. The driver arrived exactly at the time. Halfway through the journey, I was transferred to another minivan. Both minivans were standard for the region and the drivers were nice. The driver asked me which homestay I was staying in at Ba Be and dropped me at the door. Would use again. Thanks!
Bus Ford 16 Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Apr 7, 2026
A P
Anita P
There were 22 people in a 15-people van. I don't expect that when I reserve a seat.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Apr 5, 2026
R M
Raphael M
We arrived more than 1 hour late and had to do a transfer in a minibus in the middle of a highway
Bus VIP 20, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 28, 2026
A D
Adrien D
The bus was full of people in the alley so very noisy, not great to sleep
And the bus dropped us at the wrong spot, we had to take a 10min taxi to finish the trip that the bus was supposed to make.
Bus Standard, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 24, 2026
A W
Adam W
The bus came with about 40 minuts delay and there was no cleare information about it.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 22, 2026
A S
Ariella S
They were almost an hour late. Didn’t answer the number provided, and dropped us off 2 hours later than expected
Bus VIP16 Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 20, 2026
A S
Andre S
We arrived at Muong Thanh at around 3am and the driver just stopped at a random gas station and went to sleep without letting us leave first
Then at around 4h30 when we tried to wake him up and ask to leave he just rudely shooed us off and went back to sleep
At around 5am when other people started to wake up, then he finally opened the door to let us leave but even after that, he didn’t want to open the luggage so we could take out our backpacks
By this time it was already too late for us and we lost a second bus we wanted to catch
We are very disappointed with this service
Bus Semi Sleeper, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 18, 2026
A M
Alison M
Great experience. Definitely recommend, just remember to take your own toilet roll
Van Shared van 6 pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 16, 2026
L M
Lucie M
Perfect. Very nice staff, clear instructions, very good trip. They even asked to drop us off near the hotel.
Bus Ford 16 Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 15, 2026
J M
James M
Trip started 45 minutes late. Another person booked the 5:30 and her drive never showed up. Our driver did a great job, very safe.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 12, 2026
R D
Rosa D
The bus driver took so many breaks (breakfast, coffee, car wash, packages, etc.) that it took an hour more to get to Sa Pa.
Bus Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 11, 2026
F K
Felicia K
We booked the trip
Bus Tourist bus, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Mar 5, 2026
A E
Andre E
Arrived half an hour late at our homestay in Ninh Binh. Convenient transport to get from A to B. Driver most of the time have their own philosophy of getting safe to the final destination.
Bus Ford 16 Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Feb 24, 2026
M H
Martin H
The bus pickup was one hour earlier than we booked, which was annoying.
The bus took very long to pick up everyone in Haiphong ok the way and so we had not gone far after 4 hours, why were there not fewer more central pickups?
We arrived three hours later than expected due to the above-mentioned reasons.
Bus VIP 33 Sleeper, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Feb 15, 2026
A H
Anna H
The bus was 5 hours later than expected. The bus we thought we were getting left with very little communication. Only then were we told we would be getting the next bus to come.
Bus Sleeper 41, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Feb 13, 2026
M V
Marije V
Not happy with sleeperbus comfort and/ or van.
Staff was not very friendly, except the guy helping us in Sapa ssb station.
The drop off in Cao Bang was at the busstation not at the indicated place (where we booked our hostel nearby!!) and therefore we had to take a taxi (no more mobile network/ data) to the hostel.
Bus Van + Sleeper Bus, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Feb 12, 2026
L B
Laura B
Everything was fine, but they insisted on keeping the aircon on on the bus (I think to demistify the front window) which was somehow connected to the whole bus. So nothing VIP about being freezing - it was maybe 5 degrees in Sapa so it was too cold to sleep most of the bus. the staff were generally very nice though and even offered us fruit as we waited for the ferry
Bus Sleeper 41, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Feb 11, 2026
P L
Per L
They picked me up in a pickup truck that was delivering goods at different places on the way to my destination. They prioritized the gods before getting me in time to the destination.
I made it to the train station but quite frustraed.
Van Minivan 7pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Feb 9, 2026
C B
Carina B
The driver was nice and the seats were clean. However, there were empty water bottles in some of them. I didn't have any water etc. on my seat. Communication was minimal. We were dropped off at some car park in Hanoi, which was not specified as the arrival point. I had to organise a taxi to get into the city. The extra costs were not planned for and, as a woman travelling alone, it was not a pleasant experience.
Bus VIP 20, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Feb 7, 2026
A S
Annika S
The pickup went smoothly. However, the driver braked harshly a lot and the drive wasn’t very comfortable. The total duration of the drive wasn’t 3h - as estimated - but rather 4,5h. This was partly due to the traffic but also because we stopped in Da Nang several times to either pick up or drop off passengers. This was pretty annoying because we thought we were going straight to Hoi An.
Also my seat was broken so I couldn’t lean back at all.
Bus Van VIP, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Feb 6, 2026
J S
James S
A trip of a lifetime. Language barriers
I would read the reviews for boarder crossings. Was a lesson learned.
Bus Sleeper 38, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Feb 1, 2026
H P
Hari P
The place where you showed in the map is not correct. I need to send the message to the operstot to get the correct address from where the bus will pick up ud
Bus VIP 22, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jan 26, 2026
J O
Jennifer O
I think more than 10 stops(picking people up and packages ) with lights on in the bus , 1 break for the toilet for women. Small beds
Bus Sleeper 38, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jan 22, 2026
J R
Janine R
Would only do if I’m really really on a budget. No to these border buses!
Also no privacy English or information. Just weird locals. (Sorry but as a girl I felt uncomfortable and left alone)
Bus Sleeper 38, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jan 18, 2026
M R
Markus R
I was missing the whatsapp before travel start and i was not aware from the booking where and how long my busexchange would last.
Bus Van + Sleeper Bus, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jan 18, 2026
E V
Elisa V
My bus was supposed to be at 6.20 pm. Probably they didn't have enough bookings and they just cancelled it. Do you think they told me anything about it? No, of course none told me anything. So I look
Bus VIP 33 Sleeper, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jan 15, 2026
J L
Josua L
We needed more information; for example, we didn't know that we would be driven to the bus and then have to wait there. The communication was poor.
Bus Semi Sleeper, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Jan 15, 2026
H S
Hilde S
Lots of random stops, constantly on his phone.
Van Minivan 7pax, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Dec 27, 2025
N V
Nicole V
Horrible experience bad communication between driver and me, 2 hours late to destination. Bus broke down than told me to jump into a random vehicle for the last hour of my trip
Bus VIP Sleeper 34, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Dec 13, 2025
R P
Ralf P
Experienced driver w/ an ambitious style of driving.
Bus Ford 16 Express, Grouptour (Công ty du lịch quốc tế Grouptour), Dec 12, 2025
3.8
3392 customer reviews
5
36%
4
23%
3
21%
2
20%
1
0%
80.2% of 3,392 travelers were presumably happy with Grouptour as they left good or no review