Vietnam Proposes Holiday Calendar for 2027, Tet May Offer Up to 10 Days Off

Vietnam's Ministry of Nội Vụ (Home Affairs) has drafted proposals for the 2027 holiday calendar, seeking feedback from 13 ministries and agencies. The proposed schedule applies to civil servants, public employees, and workers in administrative agencies, public service units, and businesses. For Tết (Lunar New Year), two options are presented to potentially extend the holiday. Option 1 suggests a break from the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month to the 5th day of the first lunar month (February 4-10, 2027), with compensatory days off for February 9-10 due to weekend overlaps. Option 2 proposes a longer break from the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month to the 10th day of the first lunar month (February 5-14, 2027). Under this second option, civil servants and public employees could enjoy an extended holiday of up to 10 days, combining official holidays, weekend breaks, and a swapped workday. For the private sector, employers can choose to grant Tết holidays based on the 1-4, 2-3, or 3-2 day arrangements, provided they notify employees at least 30 days in advance. The Ministry of Home Affairs encourages businesses to adopt schedules similar to those for civil servants. Other national holidays in 2027 are also planned to create contiguous breaks. National Day on September 2, 2027, will result in a four-day break from September 2 to 5, including the weekend. New Year's Day (January 1) falls on a Friday, leading to a three-day holiday from January 1-3. The anniversary of the Hung Kings (March 16) and the Liberation Day/International Workers' Day (April 30-May 1) are also slated for three and four-day breaks, respectively, by incorporating weekends and compensatory days off. The Ministry of Home Affairs proposes announcing the official holiday calendar by September 30 of the preceding year. This early announcement aims to facilitate planning for all sectors and avoid last-minute disruptions. Additionally, the ministry suggests officially recognizing November 24, Vietnamese Culture Day, as a paid public holiday, aligning with national policies on cultural development. Information source: VnExpress