Draft law proposes adding a paid Vietnamese Culture Day holiday

Vietnamese workers could gain another paid holiday under a draft law that would designate Nov. 24 as Vietnamese Culture Day.

The proposal was presented to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sept. 4 as part of amendments covering the Labor Code and four other laws. Under the draft, employees would take the day off and receive their full wages.

The proposal also sets a clearer timetable for announcing annual holidays. Each year, the prime minister would decide the specific dates based on actual conditions, while the minister of home affairs would announce them by Sept. 30 of the preceding year. The stated aim is to give officials, residents and businesses enough time to prepare plans and avoid last-minute holiday announcements.

The holiday would formalize a decision under Politburo Resolution 80, which selected Nov. 24 as Vietnamese Culture Day. The policy says the paid day off would give people more opportunities to enjoy cultural activities, encourage artists and performers to create, and promote civilized cultural practices across society.

If adopted, the paid holiday calendar would include New Year’s Day, five days for Lunar New Year, Reunification Day on April 30, International Labor Day on May 1, two days for National Day, Hung Kings Commemoration Day on the 10th day of the third lunar month, and Vietnamese Culture Day on Nov. 24. Nguyễn Đắc Vinh, chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Culture and Social Affairs, said the standing committee agreed with the additional holiday. Some opinions also called for principles governing the substitution or conversion of holiday dates.