Vietnam proposes additional paid holiday on July 27 from 2027
Vietnamese workers could receive an additional paid day off on July 27 each year starting in 2027 to mark War Invalids and Martyrs Day, Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Tien Hai said on Monday.
Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Tien Hai. Photo: Minh Chau / Tuoi Tre
Speaking during a November 9 session on proposed amendments to the Labor Code and several other laws, Hai said the drafting agency had accepted recommendations from lawmakers to designate July 27 as a paid public holiday.
The proposed holiday would allow workers to participate in activities honoring fallen soldiers, war invalids, and others who contributed to the country's revolutionary cause, while preserving Vietnam's tradition of gratitude, he said.
The draft legislation also proposes making November 24, designated as Vietnam Culture Day under Politburo Resolution No. 80, an annual paid public holiday starting in 2026.
If approved, the amendments would add two paid holidays to Vietnam's calendar, with November 24 taking effect in 2026 and July 27 in 2027.
A day off to honor those who served the nation
Earlier in the session, National Assembly deputy Nguyen Sy Hoi of Nghe An Province urged lawmakers to recognize July 27 as a paid holiday, citing strong public support.
Hoi said many voters, including families of fallen soldiers, war veterans, and former youth volunteers, had expressed a desire for a day off to participate in commemorative activities.
He noted that July 27 is already marked nationwide by visits to families of fallen soldiers and war invalids, memorial ceremonies, and activities at martyrs' cemeteries.
Recalling a memorial and burial ceremony for fallen soldiers at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi said people from all walks of life, including students, lottery ticket sellers, and scrap collectors, had waited for hours to pay their respects.
He stressed that honoring those who sacrificed for the country should be a continuous responsibility, but an official holiday would give more people an opportunity to participate.
"If the National Assembly incorporates this provision into law, individuals will have time to take part in commemorative activities with their families, friends, and local communities," Hoi said.
The proposal to make July 27 a paid holiday was also raised during a parliamentary committee review in early October, when the Ministry of Home Affairs said it would continue studying the matter.
Vietnam's paid public holidays could increase to 13 days
Under the current Labor Code, employees in Vietnam are entitled to 11 paid public holidays annually, including one day for New Year's Day, five for Lunar New Year, one for the Hung Kings Commemoration Day, one for Reunification Day on April 30, one for International Workers' Day on May 1, and two for National Day in September.
Vietnamese Culture Day on November 24 has been designated as an additional paid holiday starting in 2026, bringing the annual total to 12 days.
If the proposal to add War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27 is approved, the total will rise to 13 paid public holidays annually from 2027.
These figures exclude regular weekly days off and annual leave.
Foreign employees working in Vietnam are entitled to two additional paid days off each year: one for their home country's traditional New Year and another for its National Day.
This would bring their total to 15 paid public holidays annually from 2027.
Tuoi Tre News
Link nội dung: https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnam-proposes-additional-paid-holiday-on-july-27-from-2027-103261109133321829.htm