Long Weekend Ahead: PM Approves Extended Holiday For Reunification Day, Labor Day

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has given the green light to the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs’ suggestion for a five-day holiday from April 27 to May 1, covering Reunification Day and Labor Day.

During this period, April 29 (Monday) will be a day off for public servants and workers across the nation, followed by a return to work on May 4 (Saturday). Prime Minister Chinh emphasized the importance of ensuring that necessary personnel are available to assist the public and handle any unforeseen circumstances during the break, as stated in a government dispatch issued on Friday.

While the official holiday schedule applies to public servants, the Ministry encourages private businesses to adopt the same schedule for their employees, with full salary and bonuses guaranteed.

This marks the first time in several years that an extension to the Reunification Day-Labor Day holiday has been proposed. However, the timing of the proposal, just three weeks before the holiday, has led to disruptions in the plans of various units, enterprises, and individuals.

Also Read: Your 2024 List Of Public Holidays In Vietnam

Since 2021, Vietnam has included an additional day off for National Day (September 2), either on September 1 or September 3, bringing the total number of official holidays to 11 days per year. Foreign workers in Vietnam also enjoy two extra days off: one for their traditional New Year holiday and another for their respective countries’ National Day.

Towards the end of 2023, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor suggested extending the National Day holiday by two days, spanning September 2-5 annually, to allow workers the opportunity to accompany their children to school.