Ministry of Interior says there is no plan to swap workdays to create a 9-day break for Hung Kings' Festival and the April 30–May 1 holidays

The Ministry of Interior said there is currently no plan to swap working days to create a continuous nine-day break for Hung Kings’ Festival and the 30 April–1 May holidays in 2026. The ministry made the clarification at a press conference on 3 April, where it also discussed the 2025 occupational accident situation and the 2026 Month of Action on Occupational Safety and Health.

Ministry response on holiday-day swapping

Asked whether working days would be rearranged to allow a continuous nine-day break covering Hung Kings’ Festival and the 30 April–2 May period, Mr. Vu Trong Binh, Director of the Department of Employment (Ministry of Interior), said the 2026 holiday schedule had already been approved by the Government and issued by the Ministry of Interior in October 2025.

“As of today, the Government and the Ministry of Interior agree that there is no new plan regarding the holiday notice for 2026,” he emphasized.

Public sector vs. private sector arrangements

The Department of Employment representative noted that the Government’s holiday schedule applies only to the public sector, meaning government workers. For the private sector, holiday arrangements follow the Labor Code.

Accordingly, employers and employees in the private sector may agree on flexible holiday schedules, including swapping working days and holidays. However, such arrangements must still comply with general principles, including minimum holiday requirements per month and working-hour limits.

The ministry said it is important to distinguish between public-sector holidays and private-sector holidays to avoid confusion. If workers need longer time off, they can take annual leave with the employer’s consent rather than relying on state-calendar holidays.

2026 holiday timing mentioned in the notice

Under the Labor Code, Hung Kings’ Festival is one day off on the 10th day of the third lunar month. In 2026, the 10th day falls on Sunday, April 26. Because it coincides with the weekend, workers are entitled to a compensatory day off on Monday, April 27. As a result, the Hung Kings’ Festival holiday can run for three consecutive days, from Saturday, April 25, to Monday, April 27.

For the anniversary of the Liberation of the South and national reunification on 30 April, and International Workers’ Day on 1 May, the dates fall on Thursday and Friday in 2026. For workers who do not work on Saturdays, the holiday period can extend to four consecutive days, from 30 April to 3 May, including weekend days.