At least 13 people were killed and two dozen injured when a bus collided with a lorry and burst into flames in southern Vietnam early today.

The crash happened when the truck, which was travelling towards Ho Chi Minh City, and the passenger bus heading in the opposite direction in Binh Thuan province hit, an online report from Thanh Nien newspaper said.

Fire engulfed the bus, killing 11 passengers instantly and fatally wounding two others.

A further 24 people onboard were injured, some critically, the report said.

A second bus involved in the crash suffered minor damage but it was unclear whether any passengers in that vehicle, or the lorry, were hurt.

Local police refused to comment on the incident when reached by AFP.

Around 12,000 people were killed in road traffic accidents last year in Vietnam, according to police figures.

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