Starting from 2026, employees in Vietnam may be entitled to 12 Vietnam public holidays with paid leave each year, an increase of one day compared to previous regulations. These changes in Vietnam public holidays not only affect employees’ holiday plans but also directly impact human resource management and operational costs for businesses, particularly foreign-invested enterprises (FDIs).
The article below provides a comprehensive overview of Vietnam public holidays in 2026 and highlights important regulations that companies should consider when managing their workforce.
1. Latest regulations and updates on Vietnam public holidays
Under the Labor Code 2019, employees in Vietnam are entitled to days off with full salary during Vietnam public holidays as prescribed by the State. This is a mandatory benefit applicable to all employees working under labor contracts.
If a Vietnam public holiday coincides with a weekly day off, employees are entitled to a substitute day off on the following working day.
Previously, the system of Vietnam public holidays included 11 paid days off per year, including:
- New Year’s Day: 1 day (January 1)
- Lunar New Year (Tet): 5 days
- Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day: 1 day (10th day of the 3rd lunar month)
- Reunification Day: 1 day (April 30)
- International Labor Day: 1 day (May 1)
- National Day: 2 days (September 2 and one adjacent day)
However, on March 3, 2026, the Politburo approved Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture, officially designating November 24 each year as “Vietnam Culture Day.” This day is expected to become an official holiday to encourage cultural activities and improve the spiritual life of citizens.
For foreign employees working in Vietnam, in addition to the above Vietnam public holidays, they are entitled to two additional days off:
- 1 traditional holiday of their home country
- 1 national day of their home country
Both days are granted as paid leave under their labor contracts.
2. List of Vietnam public holidays in 2026
Based on the Labor Code and the tentative holiday schedule announced by the government, Vietnam public holidays in 2026 may include the following periods:
| Holiday | Date | Total Days Off | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year Holiday | From Jan 1 to Jan 4, 2026 | 4 days | Including weekend days |
| Lunar New Year (Tet) | From Feb 14 to Feb 22, 2026 | 9 days | Including weekends |
| Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day | Apr 26, 2026 | 1 day | Substitute holiday on Apr 27, 2026 |
| Reunification Day & Labor Day | From Apr 30 to May 3, 2026 | 4 days | Including weekend days |
| Vietnam National Day | From Aug 29 to Sep 2, 2026 | 5 days | Including weekend days |
| Vietnam Culture Day (new) | Nov 24, 2026 | 1 day | Official paid holiday |
3. Other paid leave regimes besides Vietnam public holidays
In addition to Vietnam public holidays, employees are also entitled to other paid leave regimes under the Labor Code. These include annual leave, maternity leave, and several other special leave cases.
3.1 Annual paid leave in Vietnam
Under the Labor Code, employees who work for the same employer for 12 months are entitled to annual paid leave as follows:
- 12 days for employees working under normal conditions
- 14 days for minors, employees with disabilities, or those working in hazardous conditions
- 16 days for employees performing extremely hazardous or dangerous work
Other important provisions include:
- Employees who have not completed 12 months of service receive leave calculated proportionally based on months worked
- Employees working for the same company for over 5 years receive one additional leave day per year
- When terminating a labor contract, employers must compensate employees for unused annual leave days
3.2 Maternity leave and adoption leave
Under Vietnamese labor and social insurance regulations:
- Female employees are entitled to 6 months of maternity leave
- In the case of multiple births, an additional 30 days of leave is granted for each additional child starting from the second child
- Female employees with children under 12 months old are entitled to 60 minutes of paid break per working day for childcare
3.3 Paternity leave
Male employees participating in social insurance are entitled to paternity leave within 30 days after childbirth, including:
- 5 days for natural birth
- 7 days for cesarean delivery
- 10-14 days in cases of multiple births
Male employees are also eligible for a one-time social insurance allowance for each child.
4. Recommendations for FDI enterprises regarding Vietnam Public Holidays
For foreign-invested enterprises, managing Vietnam public holidays is not merely about scheduling time off. It also directly affects payroll obligations, overtime costs, and compliance with Vietnamese labor regulations. Mistakes in calculating holiday pay or arranging substitute leave may lead to labor disputes or compliance risks during inspections.
Therefore, companies should standardize HR processes from the early stage of building their HR system, including:
- Establishing mechanisms to calculate holiday pay and other paid leave in compliance with regulations
- Controlling overtime costs during major holidays such as Tet
- Managing additional holiday entitlements for foreign employees
- Regularly updating regulatory changes related to Vietnam public holidays
For FDI enterprises operating in Vietnam, working with a knowledgeable HR consultant who understands local labor laws can help build a transparent payroll system, reduce compliance risks, and optimize long-term operational costs.
At Vina TPT, our team of HR and legal experts supports businesses in establishing structured systems for holiday management, payroll processing, and labor law compliance. Vina TPT currently provides HR and legal consulting services for many FDI companies operating in Vietnam. Standardizing HR processes from the beginning helps businesses minimize legal risks and focus on sustainable growth strategies in the Vietnamese market.
