Ministry seeks 1-day break for Vietnam Culture Day, no working-day swap

Employees are entitled to take November 24 off with full pay, in accordance with regulations governing Vietnam Culture Day.

The ministry said in a submission to the government that November 24, 2026 falls on a Tuesday.

After reviewing feedback and considering practical requirements, it proposed that the holiday be limited to Tuesday, November 24, without swapping any additional working days.

During the earlier process of developing the holiday schedule, the ministry had considered swapping Monday, November 23, for Saturday, November 28.

That arrangement would have created a four-day break from Saturday, November 21, through Tuesday, November 24.

The longer break was intended to give people more uninterrupted time to participate in cultural, family and community activities, as well as travel and tourism-related services.

Following consultations and a further review, however, the ministry suggested adopting the alternative of a single day off on November 24 without a working-day swap.

The arrangement will prevent changes to the working schedules of government agencies and organizations while preserving employees’ entitlement to a fully paid day off and maintaining the purpose and significance of Vietnam Culture Day.

The ministry also cited the timing of the holiday as a consideration.

Late November is a period when government agencies and organizations are working to complete their annual programs and plans.

Many firms are also accelerating production, fulfilling deliveries, completing annual business targets and preparing plans for the following year.

Keeping the holiday on November 24 without exchanging working days will therefore help minimize disruption to work schedules, production, and business operations during this period.

The proposed arrangement is intended to balance opportunities for people to participate in and enjoy cultural activities with the need to maintain the normal operation of state agencies, businesses, and the wider economy.

The ministry said its earlier proposals concerning the 2027 Lunar New Year holiday and National Day holiday remain unchanged.

Earlier, when seeking opinions from 13 relevant ministries and agencies, the Ministry of Home Affairs had presented two options for Vietnam Culture Day in 2026.

In the first option, the holiday would fall on Tuesday, November 24, with Monday, November 23, exchanged for Saturday, November 28.

Civil servants and public employees would consequently have four consecutive days off, from Saturday, November 21, through Tuesday, November 24, and would work on Saturday, November 28 to compensate.

As per the second option, November 24 would remain the sole day off, with no working-day exchange.

In a proposal on September 11, the ministry initially presented the first option, proposing the four-day break.