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The 29-seat coach is the size most tour groups, company outings and wedding parties of about 20–27 people end up booking. Our fleet has two lines: the Kim Long 29-seater and the Thaco 29-seater. Many visitors search for "Kim Long bus" and ask what the difference is. The straight answer: in seats, luggage and purpose they are the same class; the differences are in the individual vehicle, such as model year and seat layout. This guide explains how to choose, how to count people and bags, and which routes suit a 29-seater.
Updated 21 October 2026. Written by the Car Rental Vietnam operations team from day-to-day dispatch experience and checked against current regulations. Traffic rules can change; check again before you travel.
| Kim Long 29-seat | Thaco 29-seat | |
|---|---|---|
| Suggested passengers | 20–27 depending on luggage | 20–27 depending on luggage |
| Luggage | About 18–22 suitcases | About 18–22 suitcases |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Gearbox | Usually manual, confirmed per vehicle | |
| Model years | 2022–2025, confirmed with the quote | |
Kim Long and Thaco are both Vietnamese-assembled coach brands, common on tourist routes across the country. Seat layout, legroom and the luggage hold vary more by model year than by brand. So rather than choosing by name, ask: what year, what seat layout, is there a microphone, are there charging points.
The 29 includes the driver's seat and may include fold-down seats. Twenty-seven passengers on a day trip with little luggage is fine. On a multi-day tour with a suitcase each, keep to about 20–24 so hand luggage has room inside.
A 29-seater is shorter than a 45-seater, so it fits hotel car parks, attractions and narrower roads more easily. Common trips:
Drivers hold the licence class required for passenger coaches. Under current rules, drivers in commercial transport may not drive more than 4 hours continuously, so long legs include a break. Coaches carry journey monitoring and a driver camera, as required for commercial vehicles of 8 seats or more.
Passengers wear seat belts where fitted. Child seats are available on request. Contract groups must carry a passenger list on board.
| Group size | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| 10–15 | 16-seat van, or a 9-seat Limousine for smaller groups |
| 16–27 | 29-seater |
| 28–40 | 45-seater |
| Overnight, very long legs | 45-berth sleeper |
Groups of 16–18 often ask whether to squeeze into a 16-seater. With luggage, a 29-seater is far more comfortable and keeps suitcases out of the aisle.
Most 29-seaters have 2 + 2 rows with a centre aisle and a rear bench of 4–5 seats. Some have fold-down aisle seats, best kept for short hops because they block the aisle and are not comfortable. With 27 passengers nearly every seat is taken, so hand luggage goes under the seat or on the overhead rack.
The front row behind the driver has more legroom, good for older travellers or anyone prone to motion sickness. The back row sits over the rear axle and is bumpier on poor roads. If someone needs a particular seat, the group leader should allocate seats before boarding rather than leaving it to a scramble.
Air-conditioning has vents at every row. On long legs the driver usually stops for 10–15 minutes every few hours so passengers can stretch, which also meets the continuous-driving limit.
Overseas tour operators and visitors often call this vehicle a "Kim Long bus" or "29-seater coach". When booking for an international group, besides headcount and luggage, think about:
A 29-seater counts as a coach, so in large cities it is subject to time bans on some inner-city streets. Drivers know these windows and suggest an alternative pick-up when needed. Typical cases:
Agree these details before the trip so nobody waits or drags cases far.
Day 1: meet the group at Tan Son Nhat, transfer to a central hotel, city sightseeing in the afternoon. Day 2: Ben Tre and Can Tho, overnight in Can Tho. Day 3: Cai Rang floating market in the morning, back to the city in the afternoon, then the airport or hotel.
One 29-seater covers all three days; the driver stays in Can Tho and that cost is in the quote. Daily driving is arranged so the driver gets the required breaks.
29-seaters are popular for weddings: taking the groom's family to the bride's home, or guests from the restaurant to the hotel. Send exact ceremony times, both addresses and the number of runs. Light decoration is fine if the family wishes, but nothing covering windows or plates. For company events, the coach runs several shuttles between hotel and venue; a timetable lets guests know when to board.
A smooth first morning comes from these small details. For large groups, message the driver the evening before to confirm the pick-up time once more.
If anyone uses a wheelchair or finds high steps difficult, tell us. The 29-seater has fairly high steps; the driver will help and can suggest another option if needed.
Chauffeur quotes include fuel, tolls and the driver; multi-day trips show the driver's accommodation. Every quote gets 10% off, an 8% VAT invoice is available, and at Tết a deposit of about 10% applies.
When booking, send headcount, bag count, the day-by-day plan and pick-up points. If you want a particular brand, say so and we confirm against availability. See the Kim Long 29-seat bus, the Thaco 29-seater and all 29-seat coaches. For long overnight trips, see the sleeper bus to Da Lat.
About 20–27 depending on luggage; on multi-day tours, 20–24 is comfortable.
Same size and about 18–22 suitcases each; differences come from the individual vehicle's year and seat layout.
The rule from 1 August 2026 covers coaches with more than 29 seats, so a 29-seater is not restricted. Rules can change.
Yes. Say so when booking and we confirm against availability.
Yes. Chauffeur quotes include fuel, tolls and the driver, with 10% off every quote.
Yes, 8% VAT on request.
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