Vietnam Public Holiday 2026: Dates, Schedule & How Many Public Holidays in Vietnam

Navigating the labor landscape in Southeast Asia requires a deep understanding of local regulations. For 2026, the Vietnam public holiday schedule offers several long breaks that impact both operational planning and payroll compliance.

How many public holidays are there in Vietnam?

Understanding the frequency of holidays is the first step for any HR department or traveler. In Vietnam, these dates are strictly regulated by national law to ensure consistency across all provinces.

Legal basis for public holidays in Vietnam

The primary legal framework governing holidays is the Labor Code 2019. Specifically, Article 112 dictates the mandatory days off where employees are entitled to full pay. These regulations apply to all sectors, ensuring that the Vietnam public holiday system remains uniform nationwide.

Total number of public holidays per year

Vietnamese Cultural Day (November 24): Under Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW, November 24 has been officially recognized as Vietnamese Cultural Day. These consist of New Year’s Day, the Lunar New Year (Tet), Victory Day, International Labor Day, National Day, and the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day.

This will be a nationwide public holiday, with all employees entitled to a fully paid day off.

• In 2026, Vietnam will have a total of 26 days off for public holidays and Tet, including 11 official public holidays and 14 weekly days off adjusted through rescheduling. Specifically, New Year’s Day will be 4 days, Tet (Year of the Fire Horse) 9 days, Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day 3 days, Reunification Day and International Labor Day (April 30-May 1) 4 days, and National Day 5 days (Sept-02), Cultural Day 1 Day (Nov-24).

Differences between public and observed holidays

In Vietnam, public holidays are official, paid, government-mandated days off (typically 11-13 days, including Tet), while observed holidays include these, plus regional, cultural, or weekend-adjusted days where businesses might close but employees are not necessarily entitled to paid leave. When a public holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is “observed” as a paid, substitute day off.

Key Differences Between Public and Observed Holidays

• Definition & Legal Status:
  Public Holidays (Official): These are fixed by the Labor Code (e.g., Tet, National Day, Reunification Day). Workers are entitled to full pay, and if they work, they receive at least 300% of their normal wage.
  Observed Holidays (Substitutes/Cultural): These are often the “observed” Monday when a holiday falls on a Saturday/Sunday. They can also refer to traditional festivals (e.g., Mid-Autumn) where, while not an official paid day off, many businesses may close.
• Compensation: Public holidays are always paid leave. Observed, adjusted holidays (like a Monday off for a Sunday holiday) are also paid, but other cultural, non-statutory observations (e.g., some local festivals) are not necessarily paid.
• Frequency: Vietnam has 11–13 major, official paid public holidays annually. “Observed” days change yearly based on the calendar, often creating 3-day weekends.

Examples:

• Public/Official: Lunar New Year (Tet – 5 days), Liberation/Reunification Day (April 30), International Labour Day (May 1), National Day (September 2), Hung King’s Commemoration Day.
• Observed/Substitute: If April 30 falls on Sunday, Monday, May 1, is observed as a day off.

Comparison: Public Holiday vs. Observed Holiday

Vietnam public holiday dates (updated for 2026)

Planning for 2026 requires looking at both the Gregorian and Lunar calendars, as Vietnam utilizes both for its national celebrations.

Fixed-date public holidays in vietnam

These holidays occur on the same day every year. For 2026, these include:

• New Year’s Day: January 1st.
• Victory Day: April 30th.
• International Labor Day: May 1st.
• National Day: September 2nd.

Variable-date public holidays based on lunar calendar

Unlike fixed-date holidays, these observances shift annually based on the lunar calendar. For 2026, the schedule for these key cultural events is as follows:

Key Considerations for Variable Holidays:

• Government Guidance: While the Labor Code provides the framework, the specific dates for the Lunar New Year and National Day are officially recommended by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) each year to ensure national consistency.
• Private Sector Flexibility: Private companies are encouraged to follow the government’s schedule but have the flexibility to arrange their own Tet holiday timeline (e.g., choosing different start/end dates) provided they notify employees 30 days in advance.
• Compensatory Days (Observed Holidays): In 2026, because Hung Kings Day falls on a Sunday, businesses must account for a compensatory day off to remain compliant with Article 111 of the Labor Code.

Vietnam public holiday schedule for employees and employers

The official schedule is often released by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) to help businesses align their production cycles.

Official Vietnam public holiday schedule by month

A typical year starts with a short break in January, followed by the longest break during Tet in February. April and May usually see a “mega-break” when Victory Day and Labor Day align, followed by the National Day holiday in September.

Public holiday schedule for private sector employees

While the government sets the standard, private companies have some flexibility regarding the Tet and National Day breaks, provided they inform employees 30 days in advance. Most stick to the official Vietnam public holiday schedule to maintain synchronization with banking and administrative services.

Public holiday schedule for foreign employees in Vietnam

Foreign employees in Vietnam are entitled to 13 paid days off annually: 11 standard Vietnamese public holidays (including Tet) plus one day for their traditional New Year and one for their home country’s National Day

Vietnam public holiday and working day rules

When employees work during these periods, the financial implications for the employer change significantly, affecting the Average salary in Vietnam for that specific month.

Public holiday pay calculation in Vietnam

Under the Vietnam Labor Code, employees working on statutory holidays are entitled to significantly higher compensation to reflect the importance of these rest days. The calculation is based on the regular daily wage (which must meet or exceed the regional minimum wage) and is broken down as follows:

• Day Shift (400% Total): Employees receive their standard 100% daily salary plus a 300% overtime premium. Example: A daily wage of 500,000 VND increases to 2,000,000 VND for holiday work.
• Night Shift (Min. 490% Total): For work between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, the rate increases further. This includes the 300% holiday premium, a 30% night-work surcharge, and an additional 20% calculated on the holiday rate.

Given the complexity of these calculations and the necessity for strict tax compliance, many enterprises in Vietnam utilize professional accounting services to ensure payroll accuracy and legal adherence.

Overtime work on Vietnam public holidays

Overtime during holidays is strictly regulated. Total overtime hours cannot exceed 12 hours per day during these periods. Employers must also ensure that the base pay used for calculation meets the Vietnam minimum wage requirements set for the specific region.

Compensatory leave rules for public holidays

If a holiday coincides with a weekly day off (Saturday or Sunday), employees are entitled to a compensatory day off on the next working day. This ensures that the total number of rest days is preserved.

Vietnam public holidays vs annual leave

It is common for new HR managers to confuse statutory holidays with personal leave entitlements. However, they serve different purposes under the law.

Difference between public holidays and paid annual leave

In Vietnam, while both provide time off with full pay, Public Holidays and Annual Leave serve different legal and operational purposes. The table below outlines their distinct characteristics:

Can public holidays overlap with annual leave?

No. If a public holiday occurs during an employee’s scheduled annual leave, that day is counted as a public holiday, not a vacation day. The employee’s annual leave quota remains untouched for that specific date.

Common questions about Vietnam public holiday

To clarify common misconceptions, we have summarized the most frequent inquiries from both investors and workers.

Do public holidays apply nationwide in Vietnam?

Yes, all 11 days apply to every province and city, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. There are no “regional-only” public holidays in Vietnam.

What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?

As mentioned, if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the employee is entitled to “rest bù” (compensatory rest) on the following Monday, effectively extending the weekend.

Are Vietnam public holidays paid leave?

Absolutely. All official holidays are fully paid. The salary for these days must be equal to the amount the employee would have earned on a regular working day.

Why understanding Vietnam public holiday matters for planning

Strategic foresight regarding these dates prevents operational bottlenecks and ensures financial transparency.

Impact on payroll and workforce planning

Large-scale holidays like Tet can see mass migrations of workers. Businesses must plan their Vietnam public holiday schedule months in advance to manage shifts and ensure that payroll calculations correctly reflect the 300% overtime rates.

Impact on business operations and compliance

Failing to adhere to holiday pay or rest rules can result in heavy fines. Furthermore, understanding these breaks helps foreign investors compare the cost of labor and productivity against the average salary in Vietnam and other regional competitors.

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Conclusion

The Vietnam public holiday system for 2026 offers several opportunities for rest and cultural celebration. For businesses, the key is early preparation, ensuring that payroll systems are updated and employees are informed of the schedule well in advance to maintain a harmonious and productive workplace.