Public employees and workers in Vietnam will enjoy a five-day break to celebrate the National Reunification and May Day holidays from April 27 (Saturday) to May 1 (Wednesday) per a decision signed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Under the new plan announced by the Government Office on Friday, workers will have an extra day off and work on Saturday, May 4 instead.
The decision has been made less than 20 days before the holidays, so many agencies, businesses, and people will have to adjust their work and travel plans.
The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs had proposed the five-day break after consulting 13 agencies and ministries. The entities questioned and the majority of surveyed residents showed their support for swapping a working day and extending the holidays to stimulate tourism and consumption.
Under the Labor Code, there are 11 official holidays each year in Vietnam, including the New Year (1 day), the Lunar New Year (5), the Hung King's death anniversary on the 10th day of the third lunar month (1), National Reunification Day on April 30 (1), May Day (1), and National Day on September 2 (2).
Given this new decision, workers in Vietnam will have 18 days off for public holidays this year.