Which SE Asian country has the most National Holidays?

[ASEAN NOW News]

Many of us expats know roughly when the national holidays are se back home.

 

However, when I first came to live in SE Asia, I remember being unprepared for empty streets in Bangkok when everyone went home or on holiday to the resorts.

 

By then it was just too late to even book a decent hotel!

 

Now I am prepared and exit Thailand to avoid getting soaked during Songkran, which can last up to four days.

 

It is interesting to note that whereas Vietnam lists only eight official national holidays, the Philippines have fourteen holidays, while Thailand a mouthwatering 23 days off work.

 

Cambodia has the most public holidays in the world, celebrating twenty-nine back in 2019. That is followed by Sri Lanka which has twenty-six public holidays in 2019. 

 

Compare this to the UK which has one of the lowest number listings just eight national holidays.

 

The USA with nine, while Russia with fourteen if you include their six days off for the Russian New Year.

 

Therefore, Cambodia and Thailand must be the places to hang out, and work too.

 

Here is a list of current national holidays listed in SE Asia. Of course these dates are subject to change!

 

Vietnam/Public holidays (2021) 8 HOLIDAYS

New Year's Day

Fri, Jan 1

Vietnamese New Year's Eve

Thu, Feb 11,

 

Lunar New Year

Fri, Feb 12,

Tết

Fri, Feb 12,

 

Hùng Kings' Festival

Wed, Apr 21,

Reunification Day

Fri, Apr 30,

 

Labour Day

Mon, May 3,

Independence Day of Vietnam

Thu, Sep 2,

Individual states/territories have additional holidays

 

Philippines/Public holidays (2021)  14 HOILDAYS

New Year’s Day

Fri, Jan 1,

Lunar New Year

Fri, Feb 12,

 

Maundy Thursday

Thu, Apr 1,

Good Friday

Fri, Apr 2

 

Bataan Day

Fri, Apr 9,

Labour Day

Sat, May 1,

 

Eid al-Fitr

Thu, May 13

Philippines Independence Day

Sat, Jun 12,

 

Eid al-Adha

Tue, Jul 20,

National Heroes’ Day (in Philippines)

Mon, Aug 30,

 

Bonifacio Day

Tue, Nov 30,

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Wed, Dec 8,

 

Christmas Day

Sat, Dec 25,

Rizal Day

Thu, Dec 30,

 

Thailand/Public holidays (2021) 23 HOLIDAYS

New Year's Day

Fri, Jan 1,

Maga Pūjā

Fri, Feb 26,

 

Chakri Memorial Day

Tue, Apr 6,

Songkran

Apr 12 – 15,

 

Labouré Day

Mon, May 3,

Coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn

Tue, May 4,

 

Coronation Day

Wed, May 5,

Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Mon, May 10,

 

Vesak

Wed, May 26,

H.M Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana's Birthday

Thu, Jun 3,

 

Asalha Puja

Sat, Jul 24,

Beginning of Vassa

Tue, Jul 27,

 

H.M. King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s Birthday

Wed, Jul 28,

H.M. Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s Birthday

Thu, Aug 12,

 

H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Memorial Day

Wed, Oct 13,

Chulalongkorn Memorial Day

Fri, Oct 22,

 

Father's Day

Mon, Dec 6,

H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great’s Birthday

Mon, Dec 6,

 

Constitution Day

Fri, Dec 10,

New Year's Eve     

Fri Dec31

 

Cambodia/Public holidays (2021) 26  Holidays in 2021

New Year's Day

Fri, Jan 1,

Victory over Genocide Day

Thu, Jan 7,

 

International Women's Day

Mon, Mar 8,

Cambodian New Year

Apr 14 – 16,

 

Vesak       

Mon, Apr 26,

Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Fri, Apr 30,

 

Labour Day

Mon, May 3,

King Sihamoni's Birthday

Fri, May 14,

 

National Day of Remembrance

Thu, May 20,

Children's Day

Tue, Jun 1,

 

Queen Mother's Birthday

Fri, Jun 18,

Constitution Day

Fri, Sep 24,

 

Pchum Ben Day

Oct 5 – 7,

Commemoration Day of King Father, Norodom Sihanouk

Fri, Oct 15,

 

Paris Peace Agreements Day

Mon, Oct 25,

King Norodom Sihamoni’s Coronation Day

Fri, Oct 29,

 

Independence Day

Tue, Nov 9,

Independence Day of Cambodia

Tue, Nov 9,

 

Bon Om Touk

Nov 18 – 20,