Like most countries in the world, Vietnam has a number of public holidays. These are codified in the Labour Code 2019 under Chapter 7, Section 2, Article 112.
This cheat sheet provides an overview of Vietnam’s public holidays including their length and the dates they fall on in 2024. For details regarding overtime rates and other leave entitlements that may apply on these public holidays see: Vietnam’s Labour Code for Foreign Firms in 2024.
The next public holiday in Vietnam
The next public holiday in Vietnam will be the National Day public holiday observed on Monday, September 2, 2024, and Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
Summary of Vietnam’s public holidays, 2024
| Description | Date in 2024 | Days |
| New Year Day | January 1 | 1 |
| Lunar New Year (Tet) | February 8, 2024 to February 14, 2024* | 5 |
| Hung Kings Commemoration Day | April 18 | 1 |
| Reunification Day | April 30 | 1 |
| International Labor Day | May 1 | 1 |
| National Day | August 31 and September 3* | 2 |
| Total | 11 |
*Source: Document 8662/VPCP-KGVX issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, December 2023.
Public holidays that fall on weekends
The convention for public holidays that fall on weekends is to observe the public holiday on the next business day. This is, however, generally only confirmed a few weeks before the public holiday in question. This can make planning difficult, but is par for the course with doing business in Vietnam.
New Years Day
On January 1, Vietnam observes a public holiday for the Gregorian New Year. Though this is a day off, it is typically a somewhat subdued event. This is in contrast to the Lunar New Year, usually four or five weeks later which is a much bigger celebration. That said, foreign business persons and firms operating in Vietnam should be prepared to hear Abba’s Happy New Year on loop in the lead up to the New Year holiday.
Lunar New Year (Tet)
The Lunar New Year, which falls on a different date each year, is by far Vietnam’s most important public holiday. The actual festivities and customs are carried out for about three days but after that, it is common for people to go travelling for the remainder of the break.
Hung Kings Commemoration Day
Hung Kings’ Commemoration Data has been a public holiday in Vietnam since 2007. The Hung kings were a group of monarchs that ruled over Vietnam between 2879–258 BC. They are generally considered to be instrumental in establishing the Viet people in what is now modern-day Vietnam. This public holiday moves each year in line with the lunar calendar.
Reunification Day
Reunification Day marks the end of the Vietnam War. It was the day back in 1975 that the northern Vietnam forces officially took over what was then known as Saigon. In the lead-up to the Reunification Day holiday Vietnamese flags appear all over Vietnam’s cities, with the day usually marked by some sort of commemoration ceremony.
International Labour Day
With Vietnam’s communist roots, it should not come as a surprise that Labour Day in Vietnam is a public holiday. Of note, Labour Day typically backs up against Reunification Day which can often mean a four-day weekend. That being the case, it’s common for Vietnamese who can afford it, to take the opportunity to travel. This can mean airports, train stations, and bus depots can be very busy.
Vietnam’s National Day
Vietnam’s National Day public holiday, as the name suggests, is a celebration of Vietnam as a country. Vietnam’s National Day public holiday sees Vietnamese people take two working days off. The days these are will generally be announced in December of the year before but are usually around a weekend so that workers can have a four-day break.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in Vietnam?
There are six public holidays in Vietnam. These account for a collective 11 days of additional leave each year.
What is the biggest holiday in Vietnam?
The biggest holiday in Vietnam is the Lunar New Year holiday known locally as Tet. This holiday includes five public holidays on either side of a weekend. With this in mind, this holiday can sometimes last for up to nine consecutive days.
How many annual leave days in Vietnam?
Vietnamese are entitled to 12 days of annual leave according to the Labour Code 2019. These are in addition to the 11 public holidays outlined above.