Finally after so many days living on the beach, it’s time to continue the jaunt.

Just bought my tomorrow’s ticket to Saigon, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. I’m a little worry about this bus trip. It’s a 2 part journey. 1st part starts with a mini van to the border, then 2nd part is a bus from Ha Tien to Saigon. The advertisement shows a nice sleeper bus for part 2 of the journey. But did some research after purchasing my ticket. Someone on TripAdvisor indicated its a scam, back in March 2012. It was a small mini bus that picks them up instead, and passengers are drop off pretty far from the city center.

I did go back to the travel agency. They did reassure me it isn’t the same. It is a nice big 40 some passengers bus. However, they couldn’t give me any answer regarding where the bus will drop the passengers off. We will see tomorrow.

TripAdvisor

update:

Made it to Saigon by 12:30 am, a total commute time of 17 hours. The 1st part of the trip was a mini bus as promised, but for the 2nd part, there wasnt any sleeper bus.

We were dropped off at Ha Tien at the travel agency and was told to wait for the bus. I immediately took the opportunity to eat something across the street. As there might not be anything to eat on the way. The bus ride was long and slow as it picks up locals on the way through the small towns. Then we were dropped of in the middle of the street and was told to wait for another bus. We were near the town of Can Tho around 6pm. The 3rd bus that came was a much nicer and bigger, it actually has A/C.

Overall, the commute isnt that bad, or maybe I already have much lower expectation for it. It was a smart idea to eat as often as I could, and use the WC as often as possible. As we have no clue when and where we will be dropped off.