Vietnam proposes 7-day Tet holiday in early 2027

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs has proposed a seven-day holiday for civil servants and public employees during the 2027 Lunar New Year (Tet). Nguyen Thi Quyen, deputy director of the ministry's Department of Employment, announced the plan at a press conference on September 11. The proposed break would span from February 4 to February 10, 2027, encompassing the five statutory Tet days plus two additional days. Since February 6 and 7 fall on a weekend, compensatory days would be granted on February 9 and 10. This would cover the period from the 28th day of the last lunar month of the Year of the Horse to the fifth day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Goat. Staff would return to work on February 11. Quyen stated that a seven-day break would allow individuals working far from home more time for holiday preparations and travel. Private employers are expected to set their own Tet schedules for workers, aligning with the civil service calendar. Earlier in August, the ministry had circulated two options to ministries and agencies, one of which was a 10-day break. The seven-day proposal is one of these options. For National Day in 2027, the ministry has also proposed a four-day break from September 2 to September 5, combining the statutory days of September 2 and 3 with the weekend. Vietnam observes 12 paid public holidays annually, including New Year's Day, Tet, the Hung Kings Commemoration, Reunification Day (April 30), International Labour Day (May 1), and National Day. Vietnam Culture Day on November 24 was added as the 12th public holiday this year following a National Assembly resolution.