Workers to have five days off for public holidays in April, May

Specifically, public workers are entitled to a total of three days off for Hung Kings Commemoration Day, Reunification Day, and International Workers' Day, according to the Labor Code.

The rare long holiday, equal to a workweek, is predicted to boost travel and tourism.

In 2023, Hung Kings Commemoration Day, which takes place on the 10th day of the third lunar month, falls on April 29 this year, and is immediately followed by Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers' Day (May 1).

However, April 29 and April 30 are Saturday and Sunday, thus May 2 and 3 will be treated as compensated days off. Hence, workers will have a five-day break from April 29 to May 3 to mark the three public holidays.

This schedule applies to officials, civil servants, and employees of administrative agencies, political organizations, and socio-political organizations.

Employees who work overtime or work at night on public holidays are also entitled to at least 300 percent of their salary, according to the Labor Code.

Workers have 19 days off work in 2023 for public holidays. The holidays comprise of 11 official holidays and compensatory rest, extended due to the overlapping of weekends.

The Hung Kings' Temple Festival is held each year from the 8th to the 11th days of the third lunar month in honor of the Hung Kings and their role in shaping the nation. The official name of the festival is 'Death Anniversary of the Hung Kings'. However, the date does not mark the death of any specific Hung King but honors their contribution to Viet Nam as the traditional founders of the nation and the first emperors.

The National Reunification Day (April 30) is a national public holiday, commemorating the liberation of the South and national reunification in 1975.  

May Day, also known as International Workers' Day, is celebrated in over 80 countries across the world including Viet Nam./.