Vietnam weighs 7 or 10-day Lunar New Year break

Vietnam's Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Veterans Affairs is deliberating over two options for the length of the Lunar New Year break, with the 10-day option posing potential challenges for the transport system. Both options provide workers with five statutory days but differ in duration and timing. The shorter 7-day option commences on Thursday, Feb.

4, and concludes on Feb. 10, 2027, encompassing a weekend. Conversely, the 10-day option starts on Friday, Feb. 5, and extends to Saturday, Feb. 27, creating a ten-day unbroken period from Feb. 5 to Feb. 14. The government favors the shorter break, as it would allow those working away from home more time to travel and shop. The 10-day option, however, could compress travel demand into a shorter timeframe, straining the transportation system, particularly in major cities and at transport hubs.

Additionally, Vietnam Culture Day, set for November 24 for the first time, prompts a proposal to move the Monday workday of Nov. 23 to Saturday, Nov. 28, to create a four-day break from Nov. 21 to 24. In 2027, Vietnam National Day would grant four days of leave from Sept. 2 to 5 for civil servants and public employees, with private employers offering either Sept.

1 or Sept. 3 in addition to Sept. 2. The ministry seeks input from 13 agencies by August 10 before submitting its decision to the prime minister.