Public holidays in Vietnam
Public holidays in Vietnam are days when workers get the day off work. As in most other nations, if a holiday falls during the weekend, it is observed on the following Monday.
New Year’s Day (01 January)
New Year’s Day is celebrated annually on January 1st each year according to the Gregorian calendar and celebrates coming of the New Year.
People in Vietnam will celebrate the night before with fireworks shows and eating and drinking. Many will spend the New Year day relaxing with family and friends and thoughts of good fortune for the new year.
Lunar New Year (Tet holiday in Vietnam)
Lunar New Year (Tet holiday in Vietnam) known in Vietnam as Tet Nguyen Dan, or simply Tet, the Lunar New Year is a celebration of spring and the upcoming year.
The Tet holiday starts on the beginning of a new year based on the Chinese lunar calendar. On the Gregorian calendar, the Lunar New Year falls between the end of January and the middle of February.
In most of Vietnam, Lunar New Year celebrations last at least three days. During this time, the Vietnamese people spend time with family and friends while reminiscing about the past year.
Hung Kings Commemoration Day
Hung Kings Commemoration Day honours the Hung Kings.
According to historical records and Vietnamese traditions, the Hung Kings were the founders of Vietnam. Hung Kings Commemoration Day is oriented around the themes of filial piety, ancestor worship, and patriotism.
While this holiday is observed over the course of several days, the most important celebrations occur on the 10th day of the third lunar month.
For many people, Hung Kings Commemoration Day is a joyous occasion that is centered around traditional Vietnamese culture and values.
Reunification Day (30 April)
Reunification Day (30 April) or Ngay Giai Phong, is a day of patriotic celebration for many Vietnamese people.
Aside from the political and military victory of Vietnam’s reunification, the Vietnamese people celebrate Reunification Day because of the development that occurred as a result of the South’s and North’s cooperation with each other.
Also known as Liberation day, Reunification Day is officially recognized on 30 April each year.
Labor Day (01 May)
Labor Day (01 May) also celebrated in over 80 other countries, International Labor Day is a public holiday in Vietnam.
On International Labor Day, people across Vietnam celebrate the progress of workers’ rights by taking the day off from their regular jobs. Instead, Vietnamese people spend time with their closest friends and family members.
In Vietnam, International Labor Day is called Ngay Quoc te Lao Dong. International Labor Day is also a celebration of spring. Because of this, people spend a lot of time outside if the weather is pleasant.
National Day (02 September)
National Day in Vietnam falls every September 2nd and commemorates the day when Vietnam declared its independence from France at the end of World War II.
On National Day, the Vietnamese celebrate their national heritage and culture with patriotic speeches, numerous parades, and with fireworks displays in all the major cities.
The Vietnamese flag is carried through the streets and put on display almost everywhere you turn your eye, and you will also see huge posters depicting Ho Chi Minh making his famous speech in Ba Dinh Square back in 1945.
The city of Hanoi can be rather peaceful at times during National Day, however, despite the festivities. This is because much of the city’s population will head out to the coast of the South China Sea to swim and enjoy the cool ocean breeze.
In Hanoi, you can see elaborate decorations up and down the streets and can attend numerous cultural performances and other celebrations.
