Vietnam Considers 9-Day Tet Break for 2025

Posted by Written by Vu Nguyen Hanh Reading Time: 3 minutes

Several Vietnam ministries have approved the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs’ proposal for a nine-day break for the 2025 Lunar New Year (Tet). Proposals for extended breaks during other national holidays are also under review. Foreign investors and vendors planning business meetings should be mindful of the country’s public holiday schedules when arranging visits.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor is the latest governmental body to approve the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA)’s proposal for a nine-day public holiday for the 2025 Tet celebration (Lunar New Year), from January 25 to February 2.

Earlier, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Transport also issued official comments supporting MOLISA’s proposed Lunar New Year holiday, as well as other national holidays in 2025.

Advisory: Planning Vietnam Business and Company Operations

Foreign investors and vendors planning business meetings with Vietnam government ministries, civil servants, and local enterprises should be mindful of the country’s public holiday schedules when arranging visits. Private sector enterprises are advised to adopt best practices to minimize work disruptions while ensuring employee well-being and convenience during the country’s extended holiday periods.

Tet 2025 nine-day break proposal: HR implications

For Tet 2025, Vietnam has proposed a single option: a five-day official holiday, with two days off before Tet and three days after. This would give government employees a total of nine consecutive days off, from Saturday, January 25, 2025, to Sunday, February 2, 2025.

The official Tet holiday is scheduled from Monday, January 27 to Friday, January 31, 2025. This includes two weekends before and after the official holiday, making it a full nine-day break.

MOLISA has also proposed that employees who work overtime or night shifts during this period receive at least 300 percent of their regular salary.

Application for private sectors and foreign workers

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According to MOLISA, businesses will arrange their employees’ Tet holiday schedule based on actual conditions, aligning with the schedule for civil servants and public employees where possible. The government encourages enterprises to adopt the same holiday schedule for their workers.

Employers have flexibility in setting holiday schedules but must notify employees of the Tet holiday plan at least 30 days in advance.

Additionally, foreign workers in Vietnam are entitled to one extra day off for their traditional New Year and one day for their country’s National Day.

Vietnam’s proposals for other public holidays in 2025

Besides the Tet break, MOLISA is seeking comments from other ministries on holiday breaks for other national celebrations. The final proposal will be submitted for approval from the Prime Minister.

  • Reunification Day and Labor Day

MOLISA has proposed a five-day break for Reunification Day (April 30) and Labor Day (May 1) in 2025 by rescheduling the working day on Friday, May 2, to Saturday, April 26. As a result, workers will have five consecutive days off from Wednesday, April 30, to Sunday, May 4, 2025, compensated by working on April 26.

MOLISA has instructed government agencies to implement this holiday schedule while ensuring uninterrupted public services. Organizations that do not follow a fixed two-day weekend must arrange their holidays in compliance with legal provisions and their operational requirements.

  • National Day

For National Day 2025 (September 2), MOLISA is seeking feedback on two holiday break options:

  • Option 1: Employees will have two days off, September 1 and 2. Civil servants and public employees will take a break from Saturday, August 30, to Tuesday, September 2. This would provide a four-day holiday, including the two National Day holidays and the regular weekend.
  • Option 2: Employees will have two days off, September 2 and 3. Civil servants and public employees will take a two-day break from Tuesday, September 2, to Wednesday, September 3.

MOLISA prefers the first option, as it offers civil servants and public employees a longer, continuous four-day break.

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