Vietnam Labor Unions Seek to Merge April Holidays for Longer Break

Photo courtesy of VN Express

Vietnam's main labor organization, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL), has proposed altering the country's April public holidays to allow for a longer continuous break. This proposal follows significant pushback from employers and unions frustrated by the disjointed nature of the 2026 holiday schedule. The VGCL initiated a social media survey on April 7 to gather worker opinions on this matter.

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The issue arises from the scheduling of Hung Kings Commemoration Day on April 26, which pushes a day off to Monday, April 27. However, the April 30-May 1 holiday is separated by two workdays, causing a fragmented break. For those on a six-day workweek, this results in alternating days off and on. As a solution, grassroots unions suggest shifting the make-up day to either April 29 or May 2, thus creating a more continuous break.

Despite these suggestions, Vietnam's labor authorities have not shown a willingness to amend the schedule. Vu Trong Binh of the Ministry of Home Affairs stated on April 3 that the holidays would adhere to the Labor Code. The current 2026 schedule grants one day off for Hung Kings Day and two days from April 30 to May 1, primarily affecting civil servants and state employees.

Some private companies, however, are opting to modify the schedule independently, offering employees options to create extended breaks. This involves either substituting regular workdays or utilizing annual leave. Conversely, other businesses continue adhering to the statutory schedule.

For workers, the impact varies based on their usual days off. Those with a two-day weekend can enjoy continuous breaks, while workers with only Sundays off face limited holiday durations. Employees working on rest days during a holiday are entitled to higher wages under the Labor Code, potentially receiving 200% to 300% of their standard pay.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 08 Apr 2026