The Zing Online Newspaper reported the bus from the city of Haiphong had been en route to the district of Tam Dao for a summer holiday when the tragic accident occurred at approximately 8:30am.

Police officials from the district said they were saddened by the tragic bus accident and have been in close contact with local officials and hospital staff to assist affected families and their next-of-kin.

Initial investigations showed the road surface was in good condition and it was not raining when the incident happened, said the police. It is not yet clear why the bus driver lost control sending it plunging into the mountainside.