November 24 proposed as paid ‘Vietnam Culture Day’ with free access to public venues

The Ministry of Justice said in an appraisal dossier that the draft, prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is expected to be presented to the National Assembly at its next session.

Under the proposal, workers would be entitled to a day off with full pay on November 24 each year, while public cultural and sports institutions would waive entrance fees.

The culture ministry said the measure is intended to implement a Communist Party resolution on cultural development and promote public access to cultural activities.

It said the proposed holiday is not currently included in the Labor Code, and a resolution would provide a legal basis before any future amendments.

The draft also outlines policies to attract investment into the cultural sector, including allowing certain public and public-private partnership projects to proceed before being incorporated into official planning frameworks.

It proposes that provincial authorities be allowed to add mid-term investment projects in culture and sports and adjust land-use plans without waiting for the next planning cycle.

Local governments would also be required to allocate land for cultural and sports infrastructure and creative industry clusters, the draft said.