Vietnam Public Holidays

Vietnam Public Holidays

Searching for the national holidays in Vietnam? All public holidays in Vietnam are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Vietnam employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.

Vietnam, a country rich in culture and history, celebrates several public holidays throughout the year. These holidays are a reflection of the nation’s traditions, customs, and historical events.

Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year)

According to vaultedwatches.com, Tet Nguyen Dan, commonly known as Tet, is the most significant and widely celebrated holiday in Vietnam. It marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, following the lunar calendar, typically falling between late January and early February.

Significance of Tet

Tet is a time to honor ancestors, celebrate family reunions, and wish for good fortune in the coming year. It is also seen as a moment of transition, where people cleanse themselves of past misfortunes and prepare for new beginnings.

Celebrations and Traditions

• Family Reunions: Families gather to pay respect to their ancestors by visiting ancestral graves and offering food, incense, and prayers.
• Cleaning and Decorating: Homes are cleaned and decorated with flowers like peach blossoms in the north and apricot blossoms in the south, symbolizing renewal.
• Food: Traditional Tet foods include Banh Chung (square sticky rice cake), Banh Tet (cylindrical sticky rice cake), and pickled vegetables.
• Tet Gifts: Red envelopes containing “lucky money” are given to children and the elderly to wish them prosperity.

Hung Kings’ Temple Festival (Gio To Hung Vuong)

The Hung Kings’ Temple Festival is celebrated on the 10th day of the third lunar month to honor the legendary Hung Kings, considered the founders of the first Vietnamese state.

Historical Background

The Hung Kings are said to have ruled Vietnam from around 2879 BCE to 258 BCE. This holiday serves as a tribute to their role in shaping Vietnamese culture and national identity.

Traditions and Rituals

• Pilgrimages: Thousands of people visit the Hung Kings’ Temple in Phu Tho province, where offerings of food, flowers, and incense are made.
• Parades and Performances: The festival is accompanied by traditional processions, folk music, and cultural performances that highlight Vietnam’s heritage.

Liberation Day (Reunification Day)

Liberation Day, also known as Reunification Day, is celebrated on April 30th every year. It commemorates the fall of Saigon in 1975, which marked the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of North and South Vietnam.

Historical Significance

This day is seen as a milestone in Vietnam’s history, symbolizing the victory of the Communist forces and the beginning of a new era of peace and unification.

Celebrations

• Public Parades: Large-scale parades are held in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with military displays and speeches from government officials.
• Fireworks: Firework displays are organized in several cities to mark the occasion.
• Memorials: Citizens pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the war by visiting war memorials and cemeteries.

International Workers’ Day (Labor Day)

International Workers’ Day, celebrated on May 1st, is a global holiday that honors the contributions of workers and labor movements. In Vietnam, this holiday is often combined with the celebrations of Liberation Day, as the two fall just a day apart.

Observances in Vietnam

• Rest and Relaxation: Workers are given the day off to relax and spend time with their families.
• Workers’ Rights Rallies: In some areas, rallies and events promoting workers’ rights and labor laws are held.

National Day

Vietnam’s National Day, observed on September 2nd, commemorates the day in 1945 when President Ho Chi Minh declared the country’s independence from French colonial rule.

The Declaration of Independence

On this day, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, marking the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

National Celebrations

• Flag-Raising Ceremonies: The day begins with official flag-raising ceremonies in various parts of the country, with the largest one held at Ba Dinh Square.
• Fireworks and Parades: Public parades and fireworks are held in major cities, and citizens celebrate by displaying the Vietnamese flag in their homes.
• Cultural Performances: Traditional music, dance performances, and exhibitions highlighting Vietnam’s culture and history are organized.

Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu)

Tet Trung Thu, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. While it is not an official public holiday, it is an important cultural festival, especially for children.

Origins and Significance

The festival originated as a harvest celebration, symbolizing family unity and giving thanks for the harvest. Today, it is mainly celebrated by children, who are seen as symbols of innocence and happiness.

Festivities

• Lantern Processions: Children carry colorful lanterns in parades, symbolizing the light of happiness and hope.
• Mooncakes: A central part of the festival is the sharing of mooncakes, which come in various flavors, symbolizing unity and prosperity.
• Lion Dances: Lion and dragon dances are performed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.

Other Notable Public Holidays

New Year’s Day (Gregorian Calendar)

January 1st is celebrated as New Year’s Day in Vietnam, similar to many other countries around the world. However, it is not as culturally significant as Tet.

Christmas (Noel)

Though Vietnam is predominantly a Buddhist country, Christmas is widely celebrated in urban areas, particularly by the Christian minority. In cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the streets are decorated with lights, and people exchange gifts.

International Women’s Day

March 8th is observed as International Women’s Day in Vietnam. On this day, women are honored and appreciated through gifts, flowers, and special events.

Regional and Ethnic Festivals

Vietnam is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, each with its unique customs and festivals. While these may not be national public holidays, they hold great cultural significance in their respective regions.

Giong Festival

The Giong Festival is held in honor of the mythical hero, Saint Giong, who is said to have helped defeat invaders during the early years of the Vietnamese state. It takes place annually in Hanoi and is marked by processions, martial arts performances, and offerings.

Kate Festival

The Cham ethnic group in central Vietnam celebrates the Kate Festival in October, which honors their gods and ancestors. The festival includes traditional music, dances, and religious ceremonies at Cham towers and temples.

Holiday Etiquette in Vietnam

Gift Giving

• Tet: During Tet, it is customary to give li xi (lucky money) in red envelopes, along with gifts like fruits or sweets.
• National Day: It is common for citizens to display the Vietnamese flag outside their homes to show patriotism.

Dress Code

• Festivals: For major festivals like Tet and the Hung Kings’ Temple Festival, people wear traditional clothing such as the ao dai.

Respecting Traditions

• Family Customs: During Tet, respecting family customs and traditions, especially those related to ancestor worship, is essential.
• Visiting Temples: When visiting temples, it is important to dress modestly and behave respectfully.