Transport inspectors in northern Vietnam have caught a man carrying more than three kilograms of methamphetamine with him on a bus.

Vu Van Tuan, 33, was handed over to police in Mong Cai Town, Quang Ninh Province, for further investigation, said inspectors at a checkpoint in Dan Tien Port on Tuesday.

When the inspectors stopped the bus for an unexpected check on Monday afternoon, Tuan snuck out from the bus's rear door.

The inspectors seized the man when he was trying to disappear into the crowd on the road.

Checking his handbag, they discovered four plastic bags containing hundreds of small pills, which were later confirmed by Tuan to be methamphetamine.

The inspectors have sent all the pills to a lab for further examination.