The accident occurs near the Kenh Te Bridge in Ward 3, District 4, when the driver of a big rig loses control, crashes through barriers and collides head on into an oncoming bus.

The passenger bus was identified as Samco No. 72 on route to the Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park-Park 23/9, which typically ferries people to work at the time the accident occurred.

Authorities shut down the freeway in the aftermath of the incident and reopen it at 8am local time.

None of the passengers have been identified by local police.

No cause of the crash is known, but any influence of drugs, alcohol or driver fatigue has not been ruled out.

It takes nearly two hours to separate the vehicles.

Local police have launched an investigation.