Vietnam province proposes cutting private-sector workweek to 40-44 hours

Vietnam's Ministry of Justice is currently reviewing the draft dossier for a law amending and supplementing several provisions of the Labor Code, the Law on Archives, the Law on Gender Equality, and the Law on Red Cross Activities, drafted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Proposal to cut workweek from 48 to 40-44 hours

In the dossier, the Son La Department of Home Affairs proposed introducing a roadmap to reduce normal working hours for private-sector employees to 40-44 hours a week, bringing them in line with the public sector. 

To make the reduction effective, the department said it should be accompanied by measures to improve labor productivity in pursuit of the goal of double-digit economic growth.

The department also proposed adding provisions requiring employers to provide shift meals, support workers' mental health, help reduce stress, and prevent burnout in high-pressure workplaces.

It also called for flexible working arrangements combining in-person and remote work, in line with the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI).

The draft law is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at its October 2026 session.

Previously, at the 14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress in June 2026, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor presented a report summarizing recommendations from union members, workers and trade union organizations to the Party and State.

Among the recommendations was a proposal to amend regulations and introduce a roadmap to reduce normal working hours for private-sector employees to 40-44 hours a week, in line with the public sector.

Under the 2019 Labor Code, normal working hours are capped at eight hours a day and 48 hours a week. 

Employers may set working hours on either a daily or weekly basis, but must notify employees of the arrangement.

For employees working on a weekly schedule, normal working hours must not exceed 10 hours a day and 48 hours a week.

The State also encourages employers to adopt a 40-hour workweek.

Previously, in 1999, the Prime Minister introduced regulations providing for a 40-hour workweek for civil servants, public employees and workers at administrative and public service agencies, as well as political and socio-political organizations.

Experts show support

Lawyer Le Dinh Quang, former deputy head of the Policy and Legal Affairs at the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper that a proposal to gradually reduce working hours from 48 to 40-44 hours a week is appropriate in the current context.

According to Quang, reducing working hours to 40-44 hours a week would help ensure fairness and equality between sectors.

For example, the public sector has long operated on a 40-hour workweek, while private-sector workers still work up to 48 hours a week.

Although the State has encouraged shorter working hours, progress has yet to meet expectations.

For implementation, Quang proposed reducing the workweek to 44 hours by 2030, followed by consideration of a further reduction to 40 hours after 2030.

To boost productivity and achieve the goal of double-digit economic growth, he suggested relying on technology and modern management practices rather than extending working hours.

"With shorter working hours, workers will have more opportunities to study and improve their skills and qualifications, which in turn will contribute to higher labor productivity," Quang said.

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