Vietnam Public Holidays 2025-2026: A Guide for Employers

For businesses operating in Vietnam, understanding the national holiday schedule is fundamental for effective workforce management, payroll administration, and strategic planning. Public holidays in Vietnam are mandated by the Labour Code and have specific provisions that every employer must follow.

This guide provides the official list of public holidays for 2025 and 2026 and offers key insights for employers on ensuring compliance and managing operations during these periods.

Understanding Vietnam’s Public Holiday Regulations

Navigating Vietnam’s holiday schedule requires an understanding of a few key rules that directly impact employers.

• Mandatory Paid Leave: All official public holidays listed in the Labour Code are fully paid days off for employees.
• Weekend Rule: If a public holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), employees are entitled to a compensatory day off on the following workday. This often results in “bridge” holidays and long weekends.
• Overtime on Holidays: If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are entitled to overtime pay. According to the Labour Code, this is calculated at a minimum of 300% of their regular salary, not including the holiday pay they are already entitled to for that day.
• Tết Holiday (Lunar New Year): This is the most significant holiday in Vietnam. The government officially designates a 5-day holiday period, but this is often extended with adjacent weekends, resulting in a 7 to 9-day break. Employers should prepare for a significant operational slowdown and mass employee travel during this period.

Strategic Planning for Employers

• Plan for Long Breaks: The Tết and Reunification Day holidays create extended breaks. Plan project deadlines and production schedules accordingly, and communicate clearly with international clients or partners who may not be aware of these long holidays.
• Payroll and Overtime: Ensure your HR and payroll systems are prepared to accurately calculate and process holiday pay and any necessary overtime according to legal requirements.
• Annual Leave Management: Be aware that employees will often request to use their annual leave to extend holiday periods further. A clear and fair leave request policy is essential to manage this effectively.

Vietnamese Public Holidays 2025

National Holidays 2025

Vietnamese Public Holidays 2026

Note: The official Tết holiday schedule for 2026 is typically announced by the government in the latter half of 2025. The dates below are based on the lunar calendar and are the most likely official period.

National Holidays 2026

By planning for these official holidays and understanding your obligations as an employer, you can ensure smooth business operations and maintain a compliant and positive work environment.