Driver Admits Drowsiness in Sleeper Bus Fire That Killed 7

A sleeper bus caught fire on National Highway 1 in Dong Nai Province early Tuesday, killing seven people, including three children aged 2, 4, and 10, and injuring five others. Police have detained 41-year-old driver Tran Thanh Hai to investigate his role in the accident. According to the initial investigation, the journey began late Monday. Hai was driving the bus carrying 37 passengers and one assistant along National Highway 1, traveling from the central Khanh Hoa Province to Ho Chi Minh City. In the early hours of Tuesday, as the bus reached Dong Nai's Hung Thinh Commune, Hai noticed a truck traveling ahead of him in the same direction. He steered to the right to avoid a collision, causing the bus to veer off the road and strike a protective guardrail. Following the initial impact, the vehicle continued forward and hit a second guardrail. A section of this metal barrier penetrated beneath the bus near the front passenger-side entrance. The collision disabled both the engine and the pneumatic system. Because the main door operated on compressed air, it could not be opened normally. Simultaneously, smoke began billowing around the front entrance and quickly ignited. The flames rapidly engulfed the entire bus. Hai and his assistant, Le Quoc Dat, managed to break open the main door and successfully helped many passengers escape. However, the fire and smoke spread so quickly that they were unable to reach the rear of the bus to rescue those trapped there. Following the tragedy, Hai turned himself in at the Hung Thinh Commune Police station. He confessed that he had been driving while sleepy and distracted, which ultimately caused the crash. Vehicle registration records show the 24-berth sleeper bus was manufactured in Vietnam in 2026. It received a contract transport permit in January 2026, which was valid until January 2033. The vehicle passed its first inspection on Jan. 28, 2026, and its safety certificate was valid until Jan. 27, 2028. This incident underscores the persistent challenges in ensuring road safety in Vietnam, a country experiencing rapid economic growth and increased demand for long-distance transportation. While the government has made efforts to improve road infrastructure and enforce regulations, issues such as driver fatigue and the maintenance of commercial vehicles remain critical concerns. The frequent use of sleeper buses, while convenient for many travelers, also necessitates stringent oversight to prevent such tragic outcomes.