The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) continues to propose adding two more public holidays around National Day. This was announced by Ngo Duy Hieu, Vice President of the VGCL, at a press conference following the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress on 5/6.

Currently, Vietnamese employees receive 11 fully paid public holidays and Lunar New Year breaks annually. If the proposed provision for a fully paid day off on Vietnam Culture Day, 24/11, is incorporated into the amended Labor Code and approved by the National Assembly, the total number of public holidays would only increase to 12 days.

"Compared to many countries in the region and worldwide, Vietnam's number of public holidays remains low. There is still significant room to increase public holidays," Ngo Duy Hieu stated.

According to the VGCL, increasing public holidays primarily aims to help workers recharge their energy, care for their physical and mental health, and spend more time with their families. Many shift workers, for example, wish to take their children to school on the first day of the academic year but are unable to due to work commitments.

Longer holidays also stimulate consumer demand and boost the development of tourism and service industries. Therefore, "when economic conditions permit, increasing the number of public holidays is necessary and can be prioritized, particularly around National Day."

People watch a parade during the 80th National Day, September 2025. Photo: Quynh Tran

The trade union organization has repeatedly proposed adding two public holidays for National Day, allowing employees to take leave from 2/9 to 5/9. This recommendation was previously made at the 13th Vietnam Trade Union Congress in 2023, citing difficulties for many direct production and shift workers to take their children to school on opening day.

During the amendment process of the Labor Code in 2019, the VGCL also proposed adding three more days off for National Day. However, the option approved by the National Assembly only added one additional day, which is arranged either before or after 2/9 each year, as decided by the Government.

Currently, employees are entitled to 11 fully paid public holidays and Lunar New Year breaks each year. These include one day for New Year's Day, five days for Lunar New Year, one day for Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, two days for 30/4 and 1/5, and two days for National Day.

Last April, the National Assembly approved a resolution designating 24/11 as Vietnam Culture Day, allowing employees a fully paid day off. The Ministry of Home Affairs is currently researching to include this provision in the draft amendment and supplement to the Labor Code, to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration at the 2nd Session of the 16th National Assembly. If approved, the official number of annual public holidays will increase from 11 to 12 days.

Hong Chieu