In Vietnam, "xe giường nằm" buses replace seats with berths: you travel lying down, often at night, for an excursion or a long journey. You wake up at your destination, rested, without paying for a hotel for the night.
Over there
Two or three rows of berths on two levels, a blanket, a socket for your phone. Excursion agencies and bus companies use it as a selling point: you save a night and gain a day of sightseeing.
In France
Night buses exist, but you stay seated. Travelling lying down on a bus is almost unknown, while many travellers are looking for cheaper and less tiring journeys.
The idea for the Passerelle
- A travel agency in France can offer its customers sleeper bus excursions in Vietnam, with a partner company on the spot.
- A Vietnamese company can find French agencies that send it travellers.
- In France, a carrier could study the idea, while respecting European rules.
To check before you start
- Carrying passengers is a regulated activity: registration in the register of carriers, with the DREAL (regional transport authority) of your region.
- A vehicle must be approved in Europe (safety standards, seat belts): a sleeper bus built for Asia cannot simply be imported and put on the road.
- Selling trips or excursions requires registration as a travel operator with Atout France (French tourism agency that registers travel sellers).
For information only (page of 27/10/2026): this information does not engage the responsibility of Passerelle France-Asie. Rules change and depend on your situation: before you start, check with the official body mentioned.