Vietnam’s Public Holidays: Planning for Reunification and Labor Day

As Reunification Day and International Labor Day approach in Vietnam, this article provides essential insights to facilitate effective business operations planning. It is beneficial for both employers and employees to ensure a seamless holiday experience despite anticipated traffic disruptions from the festivities.

Public holidays for Vietnam’s Reunification Day

In 2025, Vietnam’s public holidays for Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labor Day (May 1) will occur on Wednesday and Thursday. Accordingly, pursuant to the 2019 Labor Code, the holiday schedule for cadres, civil servants, public employees, and employees nationwide during this period is outlined below:

• Cadres, civil servants, and public employees will have five days off from April 30 to May 4 (inclusive of the weekends).
• For employees outside state agencies:
• If the employer adopts the holiday schedule for cadres, civil servants, and public employees, these employees will receive five days off.
• If the employer does not adopt this schedule, employees will have two days off.

Although employers can decide on their own holiday schedules, it is noteworthy that most employees in Vietnam are likely to take leave during the public holidays for their own travel plans, which can extend the actual days off to between 5 and 9 days, including weekends.

Overtime benefits for Vietnam’s public holidays

Employees working overtime on the holidays of April 30 and May 1, 2025, will be compensated as follows:

• For daytime work, the salary structure is:
  • 300 percent of the salary for holiday overtime.
  • 100 percent of the salary for regular day work.
• For nighttime work, the salary structure is:
  • 300 percent of the salary for holiday overtime.
  • 100 percent of the salary for regular day work.
  • 30 percent of the salary for nighttime overtime (all hours).
  • 60 percent of the salary for additional nighttime overtime.

Therefore, on the holidays of April 30 and May 1, 2025, employees working overtime can expect:

• At least 400 percent of the salary for daytime overtime.
• At least 490 percent of the salary for nighttime overtime.

It is not obligatory to reward employees on April 30 and May 1. Employers decide the bonus schemes and announce them publicly at the workplace.

Roadblocks in HCMC leading to April 30

On April 21, the Traffic Police Department (TPD) of Ho Chi Minh City Police provided a detailed guide regarding the ban on people and vehicles on more than 20 central routes from now until the April 30 holiday, allowing individuals to plan their travel routes proactively.

 According to the TPD, the ban on people and vehicles is implemented to ensure security, order, and traffic safety during the organization and rehearsals for the official celebration of the 50th anniversary of Reunification Day.

Road restriction schedules in HCMC

Parking and circulation are prohibited during the times specified by the TPD. All restrictions will be applied the same for backup dates.

Restricted subjects

All pedestrians and vehicles (cars, motorcycles, etc.) are prohibited, except for authorized personnel and vehicles with special permits that are directly involved in ensuring security and traffic safety for the rehearsal and Commemoration Ceremony.

Restricted areas and routes

During the rehearsal and official ceremony dates, several areas and routes will be restricted, with no entry, parking, or traffic allowed. These areas include:

• Ba Son Bridge(direction from Thu Duc City to District 1, starting from the intersection of Road D6 + R12).
• Nguyen Binh Khiem Street(section from Nguyen Dinh Chieu to Nguyen Huu Canh).
• Dinh Tien Hoang Street(section from Nguyen Dinh Chieu to Le Duan).
• Ton Duc Thang Street(section from Le Duan to the U-turn point before No. 37 Ton Duc Thang).
• Mac Dinh Chi Street(section from Tran Cao Van to Nguyen Du).
• Hai Ba Trung Street(section from Vo Van Tan to Ly Tu Trong).
• Pham Ngoc Thach Street(section from the Turtle Lake Roundabout to Notre Dame Cathedral).
• Pasteur Street(section from Vo Van Tan to Ly Tu Trong).
• Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street(section from Vo Van Tan to Ly Tu Trong).
• Truong Dinh Street(section from Vo Van Tan to Ly Tu Trong).
• Nguyen Du Street(section from Ton Duc Thang to Cach Mang Thang 8).
• Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street(section from Nguyen Binh Khiem to Cach Mang Thang 8).
• All inner roads within the above routes, including:
  Le Duan, Nguyen Van Chiem, Le Quy Don, Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Le Van Huu, Han Thuyen, Alexandre De Rhodes, Cong Xa Paris, Dang Tran Con, Thuy Khoa Huan, Nguyen Trung Truc, Dong Khoi, etc.

Key takeaways for businesses

Businesses in Vietnam, particularly those operating in HCMC, are encouraged to implement strategies that ensure operational efficiency and employee satisfaction. In the coming days, firms should consider the following measures to prevent delays or functional inefficiencies caused by traffic congestion:

• Advance planning: It is essential for businesses to inform employees about possible schedule alterations and traffic alerts ahead of time, helping them to plan their commutes effectively.
• Choosing flexible transport modes: Business travellers should anticipate parking and movement restrictions in downtown areas that could impact their plans, thus choosing more flexible modes of transport, such as taxis and ride-hailing vehicles, to ensure the most seamless commuting within HCMC’s central area.

At the same time, businesses are encouraged to ensure that holiday work compensation meets legal standards and that employees are informed about any company-specific overtime bonus programs available during these holiday periods.