Public Holidays in Vietnam
New Year’s Day (January 1) - 1 day off
New Year’s Day marks the first day of the year according to the international calendar. It is a time for people to take a break from work, gather with family and friends, and welcome a fresh start.
In major cities like Hanoi and Hồ Chí Minh City, the atmosphere becomes lively with celebrations such as fireworks displays, countdown events, and outdoor performances. Although it is not as significant as Lunar New Year, it still brings a festive spirit, especially among young people.
Lunar New Year (Tết Holiday) - 5 official days off
(From the last day of the lunar year to the 4th day of the first lunar month)
Tết is the most important and sacred traditional holiday in Vietnam. It is a time for people to return to their hometowns, reunite with family, honor their ancestors, and welcome the new year with hope and positivity.
Preparations begin in the final days of the year, including cleaning homes, shopping, decorating with peach blossoms and apricot flowers, and preparing traditional foods such as banh chung and banh tet. During Tết, people visit temples for good luck, give lucky money, enjoy lion dances, watch fireworks, and participate in various cultural activities.
Although the official holiday lasts about five days, many people take up to 7-10 days off to travel, visit relatives, and rest.
Hùng Kings’ Commemoration Day (10th day of the 3rd lunar month) - 1 day off
This holiday is dedicated to honoring the Hùng Kings, the legendary founders of Vietnam.
According to tradition, the Hùng Kings are descendants of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, symbolizing the origin of the Vietnamese people. On this day, many people make pilgrimages to Hùng Temple in Phu Thọ Province to offer incense and participate in traditional ceremonies and festivals.
Beyond its spiritual meaning, the holiday also reinforces national pride and unity.
Reunification Day (April 30) - 1 day off
April 30, 1975 marks a major historical milestone, signifying the end of the war and the reunification of Vietnam.
On this day, commemorative events are held nationwide to honor fallen soldiers and those who contributed to the country’s independence. In cities like Hồ Chí Minh City and Hanoi, celebrations often include parades, cultural performances, and fireworks displays.
It is also a popular time for travel, relaxation, or visiting family.
International Workers’ Day (May 1) - 1 day off
International Workers’ Day celebrates the contributions of workers to society.
In Vietnam, it often falls right after Reunification Day, creating a long holiday period ideal for travel and leisure. Many organizations also hold ceremonies to recognize outstanding workers.
National Day (September 2) - 2 days off
(September 2 and one adjacent day)
National Day commemorates the declaration of independence delivered by President Hồ Chí Minh at Ba Đình Square in 1945, marking the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Each year, the occasion is celebrated with flag-raising ceremonies, parades, fireworks, and patriotic performances. Streets are decorated with flags and banners, creating a solemn yet festive atmosphere. Government offices, schools, and businesses close for the holiday.
Many people also take this opportunity to travel or visit their hometowns.
Other Holidays and Observances in Vietnam
• Fixed-Date Observances (Gregorian Calendar)
January 9 - Vietnamese Students’ Day
February 3 - Communist Party of Vietnam Founding Day
February 14 - Valentine’s Day
February 27 - Vietnamese Doctors’ Day
March 8 - International Women’s Day
March 20 - International Day of Happiness
March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day / World Poetry Day
March 22 - World Water Day
March 23 - World Meteorological Day
March 24 - Vietnam Banh Mi Day
March 26 - Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union Founding Day
March 27 - Vietnam Sports Day
March 28 - Self-Defense Militia Force Day
April 1 - April Fools’ Day
April 18 - Vietnam Disability Day
April 21 - Vietnam Book Day
April 22 - Earth Day
May 7 - Điện Biên Phủ Victory Day
May 15 - Young Pioneers Organization Founding Day
May 17 - International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT)
May 19 - Birthday of President Hồ Chí Minh
May 31 - World No Tobacco Day
June 1 - International Children’s Day
June 5 - World Environment Day / Hồ Chí Minh’s Departure to Seek National Salvation (1911)
June 21 - Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day
June 28 - Vietnam Family Day
July 27 - War Invalids and Martyrs Day
August 9 - Day for Victims of Agent Orange
August 19 - August Revolution Anniversary
September 7 - Vietnam Television Day
October 1 - International Day of Older Persons
October 4 - Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Force Day / National Fire Safety Day
October 10 - Hanoi Liberation Day / National Digital Transformation Day
October 13 - Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Day
October 14 - Vietnam Farmers’ Union Founding Day
October 15 - Vietnam Youth Federation Traditional Day
October 20 - Vietnamese Women’s Union Founding Day
October 26 - Vietnam Nurses’ Day
October 31 - Halloween
November 9 -Vietnam Law Day
November 18 - Great National Unity Day (Vietnam Fatherland Front Traditional Day)
November 19 - International Men’s Day
November 20 - Vietnamese Teachers’ Day
November 23 - Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day
December 1 - World AIDS Day
December 6 - Vietnam Veterans Association Founding Day
December 22 - Vietnam People’s Army Founding Day
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 29 or 30 - Year-End Ceremony (Tất Niên)
Easter (March or April)
Easter is the most important holiday in Christianity, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion.
Although it is not widely observed nationwide in Vietnam, it holds deep religious significance within the Catholic community. Easter is celebrated on a Sunday, with the date varying each year, typically falling between March 22 and April 25.
• Lunar Calendar Holidays in Vietnam
Lunar New Year (First Full Moon Festival) - 15th day of the 1st lunar month
Also known as the first full moon of the year, this day holds spiritual importance in Vietnamese culture, especially among Buddhists. People often visit pagodas to pray for peace and good fortune, perform rituals to dispel bad luck, chant sutras, eat vegetarian meals, and wish for a prosperous and peaceful year.
Cold Food Festival (Tết Hàn Thực) - 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month
This holiday is a time for honoring ancestors by preparing traditional foods such as banh troi (floating rice dumplings) and banh chay (sweet rice dumplings). Families prepare simple offerings to express respect and gratitude to their ancestors.
Buddha’s Birthday (Vesak) - 15th day of the 4th lunar month
This is the most important Buddhist holiday of the year, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. Temples across Vietnam hold ceremonies including Buddha bathing rituals, processions, chanting, and charitable activities. Many people visit pagodas, release floating lanterns, and pray for peace and inner harmony.
Dragon Boat Festival (Tết Đoan Ngọ) - 5th day of the 5th lunar month
Also known as the “killing pests festival,” this day is associated with consuming fermented sticky rice and sour fruits, believed to help cleanse the body and protect crops from pests. Families also perform ancestral offerings to pray for health and good fortune.
Vu Lan Festival (Wandering Souls Festival) - 15th day of the 7th lunar month
Vu Lan is a day of filial piety, honoring parents and remembering deceased ancestors. People visit pagodas to pray for the souls of the departed, participate in charitable acts, and release lanterns. A notable tradition is wearing a red rose if one’s mother is still alive, or a white rose if one’s mother has passed away.
Vietnamese Theater Day - 12th day of the 8th lunar month
This day honors ancestors and practitioners in the performing arts. Theater organizations often hold commemorative ceremonies, performances, and cultural exchanges to preserve and promote traditional Vietnamese stage arts.
Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu) - 15th day of the 8th lunar month
Known as a children’s festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival features lantern parades, lion dances, mooncake sharing, and festive celebrations. It is also a time for family reunions, moon-gazing, and storytelling, creating a joyful and vibrant atmosphere across communities.
Kitchen Gods Day - 23rd day of the 12th lunar month
On this day, families prepare offerings to send the Kitchen Gods (Táo Quân) to heaven to report on the household’s activities over the past year. People also release carp into rivers as a symbolic act and clean their homes in preparation for Lunar New Year.
Double Seventh Festival (Tết Ngâu) - 7th day of the 7th lunar month
Also known as the Qixi Festival, this day is associated with the romantic legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, who are allowed to meet once a year across the Milky Way via the Magpie Bridge.
Thanh Minh Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) - 3rd lunar month
The Thanh Minh period typically falls between early April and late April in the Gregorian calendar. During this time, families visit and clean the graves of their ancestors. After visiting the cemetery, they return home to perform ancestral worship rituals. This tradition reflects respect for ancestors and strong family values in Vietnamese culture.
Conclusion
Vietnam has a rich and diverse collection of traditional holidays that reflect its cultural values, beliefs, and strong sense of community. Each holiday is not only a time to rest and relax but also an opportunity for families to come together, honor their roots, and share meaningful values that contribute to a more connected and fulfilling life.