The change is intended to give officials, civil servants, public employees, the public and businesses more time to prepare appropriate programs and plans, avoiding the difficulties caused when holiday schedules are announced too close to the actual dates, as can happen under the current system.

Specifically, the draft law stipulates that each year, based on actual circumstances, the Prime Minister will determine the specific arrangements for public holidays and Tet, or the Lunar New Year. The Minister of Home Affairs will announce the annual holiday schedule approved by the Prime Minister by Sept. 30 of the preceding year.

Under the current Labor Code, the Prime Minister determines the specific annual schedules for the Lunar New Year and National Day holidays based on actual circumstances. Government Decree 128/2025, which remains in effect until March 1, 2027, sets out the delegation and decentralization of authority in state management in the home affairs sector. Under the decree, the Minister of Home Affairs is responsible for announcing annual public holiday and Tet schedules in accordance with the Labor Code.

Another proposed change, according to the deputy minister, incorporates a new provision from Politburo Resolution 80 on the development of Vietnamese culture, designating Nov. 24 as “Vietnam Culture Day” and making it a paid day off for employees. The Politburo had previously agreed to designate Nov. 24 each year as Vietnam Culture Day.

Under the policy, employees would be entitled to take the day off at full pay, giving people greater opportunities to enjoy cultural activities, encouraging artists and cultural workers in their creative pursuits, and promoting a cultured and civilized way of life across society.

At its first session, the National Assembly adopted a resolution on the development of Vietnamese culture. The resolution designates Nov. 24 each year as Vietnam Culture Day, with employees entitled to take the day off while receiving full pay.

The resolution also provides for free or discounted admission and service fees at public cultural and sports facilities on Vietnam Culture Day, subject to decisions by competent state authorities. It also encourages people, particularly young people and children, to participate in cultural activities during major national holidays and celebrations.

If the proposed addition is adopted, employees would therefore be entitled to paid leave on the public holidays and Tet holidays prescribed by law.

Specifically, these would include one day for New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), five days for the Lunar New Year, one day for Reunification Day (April 30), one day for International Workers’ Day (May 1), two days for National Day (Sept. 2 and one immediately preceding or following day), one day for the Hung Kings Commemoration Day (the 10th day of the third lunar month), and one day for Vietnam Culture Day (Nov. 24).

Presenting the appraisal afterward, Nguyen Dac Vinh, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture and Social Affairs, said the committee’s Standing Board supported adding Vietnam Culture Day on Nov. 24 as an additional public holiday, with employees entitled to take the day off at full pay.

Some opinions also called for the law to establish principles for adjusting public holiday and Tet schedules so that individuals and businesses can plan their work in advance.

Tran Thuong