On 7/4, Ngo Duy Hieu, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, announced the survey began this afternoon. It was prompted by numerous requests from grassroots trade unions and workers seeking to swap days to extend holiday breaks.
Although the survey is being conducted just three weeks before the holidays, the confederation will consider worker feedback. This will be done while adhering to legal regulations and balancing the interests of all parties, before submitting a formal proposal to the Ministry of Interior. Specific swap options have not been announced yet, as they will be based on the consolidated feedback.
The Deputy Chairman added that Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, which falls on the 10th day of the third lunar month (sunday 26/4), would, by regulation, result in a compensatory day off on the next working day, monday 27/4. However, many businesses have proposed shifting this compensatory day to wednesday 29/4 or saturday 2/5 to create a longer holiday period. If the current law is followed, workers at companies with a one-day weekly off policy would still work on saturday, leading to fragmented holiday breaks interspersed with normal working days.
"The regulation for a compensatory day immediately following a holiday that falls on a weekend sometimes creates certain difficulties, as seen this year, making this survey essential", Mr. Hieu added.
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Workers at an FDI garment factory in Quang Chau Industrial Park, Bac Ninh, 3/2026. *Photo: Pham Chieu*
An official from the Employment Department, Ministry of Interior, stated on 3/4 that there was no policy to swap the two April holidays; instead, they would adhere to the Labor Code. The Ministry had announced the 2026 public holidays: Hung Kings' Commemoration Day (10/3 Lunar Calendar) for one day, and 30/4-1/5 for two days. This holiday schedule applies to civil servants, public employees, and state sector workers.
Three weeks before Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, some private sector businesses proactively announced swaps of normal working days or utilized annual leave to connect the two holiday periods, allowing workers an 8-9 day break. However, many other businesses are adhering to the Labor Code, observing one day off for Hung Kings' Commemoration Day and two days for 30/4-1/5.
As Hung Kings' Commemoration Day (10/3 Lunar Calendar) falls on sunday 26/4, workers receive a compensatory day off on monday 27/4. Those with a two-day weekly off policy will have a three-day continuous holiday, from saturday 25/4 to the end of monday 27/4. Workers with a one-day weekly off policy (sunday) will have a two-day holiday on 26-27/4.
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The two April holiday periods are separated by two normal working days, 28-29/4. *Graphic: Ta Lu*
Similarly, for the 30/4-1/5 holiday, workers with a two-day weekly off policy will have a four-day continuous holiday, from thursday 30/4 to the end of sunday 3/5. Those with a one-day weekly off policy will only have two days off on 30/4 and 1/5.
If an employee works on a weekly rest day during a holiday period, the employer must pay at least 200% of their salary. If an employee works on a weekly rest day that also coincides with a public holiday, they must receive at least 300% of their salary.
Hong Chieu
