Open a buffer as a vertical split in VIM
Try:
:vert sb N
which will open a left vertical split (by default, unless you have modified some options).
To open a split to the right, on the other hand:
:vert belowright sb N
:vsp | b1
1 being some buffer number. Use buffers to list all buffers.
Here's some additional info on splits, if you're interested. Link
You can ease your pain by adding the following to your .vimrc
cabbrev vb vert sb
Now you can use it in the following way.
:vb <buffer>