On the morning of 4/9, the National Assembly Standing Committee reviewed the draft law proposing amendments to several existing laws, including the Labor Code, Archives Law, Gender Equality Law, Red Cross Activities Law, and Employment Law.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cao Huy, presenting the draft law, announced the government's proposal to incorporate November 24, Vietnamese Culture Day, into the Labor Code's list of public holidays. This initiative aims to institutionalize Politburo Resolution 80 on developing Vietnamese culture and formalize a decision passed by the National Assembly in its April session. Under the National Assembly's resolution, November 24 will be recognized annually as Vietnamese Culture Day, granting workers a paid day off.

With this addition to the Labor Code, workers will receive a total of 12 paid public holidays annually. These include: New Year's Day (one day), Lunar New Year (five days), Reunification Day 30/4 (one day), International Labor Day 1/5 (one day), National Day (two days), Hung Kings' Commemoration Day (one day), and Vietnamese Culture Day 24/11 (one day).

The selection of November 24 commemorates the first National Culture Conference in 1946, presided over by President Ho Chi Minh. This designated holiday aims to allow citizens to engage in and appreciate cultural activities, simultaneously fostering creativity among artists and promoting a cultured, civilized way of life.

The Army Ceremony Group performs at an altitude of 10,000 meters during National Day. *Photo: Giang Huy*

Announcing public holiday schedules before 30/9

The draft law also revises regulations concerning the determination and announcement of annual Lunar New Year and National Day holiday schedules.

Deputy Minister Cao Huy stated that the Prime Minister will determine the specific dates for Lunar New Year and National Day holidays based on practical conditions. The Minister of Home Affairs will then announce the following year's holiday schedule before 30/9.

The drafting agency explained that this deadline aims to enable officials, civil servants, public employees, workers, and businesses to proactively plan, preventing holiday schedules from being announced too close to their effective dates.

Currently, the Minister of Home Affairs is responsible for announcing specific annual public holiday dates under Decree 128/2025 on decentralization in internal affairs, which remains effective until 1/3/2027. This draft law seeks to establish this regulation permanently within the Labor Code.

Reviewing the draft law, Nguyen Dac Vinh, Chairman of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee, confirmed the Committee's Standing Board's approval to include November 24, Vietnamese Culture Day, as a paid holiday for workers.

Concluding the discussion, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh affirmed the National Assembly Standing Committee's consensus on adding November 24. She urged the government to clarify the effective date and to either codify the Minister of Home Affairs' authority and the deadline for annual holiday announcements within the law or delegate this assignment to the government.

The draft law is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at its second session in October.

Son Ha