Vietnam plans seven-day break for Tet holiday

Students at Hoa Sen Pre-school in Ho Chi Minh city learn to wrap traditional chung cakes for the Lunar New Year

The 2024 Lunar New Year holiday could last for seven days, according to two different options proposed by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

The proposal was presented for feedback from ministries and departments, before being submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.

The 2024 Lunar New Year’s Day falls on February 10.

In the proposal, the MoLISA presented two options, each consisting of five days and two weekend days.

In the first option, the holiday break will last five days, running from February 8, 2024 (Thursday) to February 14, 2024 (Wednesday).

People will also have two additional days off on February 13 and 14 according to the Labour Code, as the break includes the two usual days off during the weekend.

In the second option, the holiday will also span five days, but from February 9, 2024 (Friday) to February 15, 2024 (Thursday).

This option would result in two additional days off, so people would enjoy a seven-day break.

The MoLISA has recommended the first option to have a moderate number of consecutive days off, and to ensure a balance in time off before and after Lunar New Year’s Day.

Various government departments are encouraged to provide their feedback before September 30.

Employees who work overtime or night shifts during the holiday will receive a minimum wage of 300 per cent, not including their regular daily wages. Foreign workers in Vietnam, aside from the annual public holidays, will also have an additional day off for their own traditional New Year and their country's national day.

VNS