Many companies offer 4-day break for Vietnam Culture Day 2026

Pham Thi Bich Hai, chairwoman of the trade union at TOTO Vietnam Co. Ltd. in Hanoi, said the company regularly consults with its trade union well in advance to arrange holiday schedules for union members and employees.

The company's approach is to offer more days off than legally required rather than wait for the government to make a decision before reaching an agreement.

In 2026, employees at the company will enjoy a four-day break from November 21 through November 24 for Vietnam Culture Day, reducing the total number of working days in the year from 271 to 267. 

Regarding the 2027 holiday schedule, Hai said the company would discuss the arrangement with its trade union and was expected to finalize a plan in November 2026. 

Tran Ngoc Tuan, chairman of the trade union at Sumitomo Heavy Industries Vietnam Co. Ltd. in Hanoi, said the company also plans to give employees four consecutive days off, from November 21 through November 24, for the occasion. 

The arrangement will give union members and employees more opportunities to visit their hometowns and travel, he said. 

However, some employees will still have to remain on duty or work according to production schedules because the company is entering its peak production period. 

Meanwhile, the trade union is discussing with the company plans to organize a union meal for employees after the holiday, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, November 25.

Many companies offer only 1 day off

Many others will offer only a one-day holiday, similar to the public sector, as they are in the middle of peak production periods.

Pham Thi Tuyet Nhung, chairwoman of the trade union at Yazaki EDS Vietnam Co. Ltd. in Ho Chi Minh City, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper that the company’s employees would have November 24 off with full pay.

The reason is that government agencies and schools will remain open on Monday, November 23, as it is not a public holiday. If employees take that day off, they would have to make up for it on another Saturday.

Similarly, Nguyen Duy Tung, chairman of the trade union at Hana Micron Vina Co. Ltd. in Bac Ninh City in northern Vietnam, said the company plans to give employees one day off for Vietnam Culture Day.

To create a festive atmosphere and help workers recharge, the company is also planning cultural and sporting activities, such as a football tournament.

The Government Office recently issued a document conveying Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra's decision that civil servants and public employees would receive one day off on November 24, 2026, for Vietnam Culture Day.

The deputy prime minister also assigned Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Tien Hai to notify administrative and public service agencies, political organizations, socio-political organizations, businesses and employees of the arrangement.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has encouraged employers to apply the same one-day holiday arrangement for their employees in 2026 as that adopted for civil servants and public employees, while ensuring that all statutory benefits are provided.

It also recommended that businesses reach agreements offering more favorable conditions for workers.

The Vietnam General Confederation of Labor previously announced that Vietnam Culture Day would be held every November. 

The event aims to give union members and employees, particularly production workers, female workers, young people, migrant workers and those employed in industrial parks, export processing zones, economic zones and rental accommodation areas, greater access to cultural, entertainment and healthcare activities. 

Through the initiative, the trade union hopes to improve workers' spiritual well-being, promote healthy lifestyles and foster trade union culture, workers' culture and workplace safety awareness among employees.

Under current regulations, employees in Vietnam are entitled to 12 paid public holidays each year, comprising one day for New Year's Day, five days for Lunar New Year, one day for Reunification Day, one day for International Workers’ Day on May 1, two days for National Day, one day for Hung Kings Commemoration Day, and one day for Vietnam Culture Day.

The 2019 Labor Code authorizes the prime minister to determine the specific dates for Lunar New Year and National Day holidays based on actual circumstances.