When the Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) holiday falls on a weekend, workers should still enjoy the following Monday and Tuesday as paid public holidays, business associations said at a workshop on revisions to the Labour Code on May 14.
People gather at a traditional festival in Trieu Khuc village of Hanoi during the Tet holiday (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - When the Tet (VietnameseLunar New Year) holiday falls on a weekend, workers should still enjoy thefollowing Monday and Tuesday as paid public holidays, business associationssaid at a workshop on revisions to the Labour Code on May 14.
The workshop, hosted by the Vietnam Chamber ofCommerce and Industry (VCCI), gathered opinions of labour experts and businessassociations about draft amendments to the 2012 Labour Code, including thecontroversial draft regulation on the reduction of holidays.
Under the revisions, workers will have afive-day break for Tet. However, if it falls on a weekend, theywill not have paid days off on the following Monday and Tuesday.
Many employers recommended not changing thecurrent regulation despite doubts about its impact on enterprises’business activities.
“For the garment industry, many workers are fromthe countryside," said Truong Van Cam, general secretary of the VietnamTextile Association. "Therefore, companies should allow them to takepaid days off when Tet falls on weekends to win theirloyalty."
“Many fashion suppliers in southernprovinces even let their workers to take Tet leave until themiddle of the first lunar month," he said.
Do Thi Thuy Huong, a representative of the VietnamElectronic Industry Association, agreed the change was unnecessary.
According to Pham Minh Huan, former DeputyMinister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the regulation was establishedin the 1994 Labour Code to allow employees to fully enjoy the biggest holidayof the year and ease traffic pressure before and after Tet.
Mai Duc Thien, deputy head of the ministry’sLegal Department, said the draft amendment was suggested because the break forthe holiday – usually in late January or early February – was toolong and comes as the rest of the world has already started working [after newyear holidays]. This break affects business activities and export orders.
The ministry plans to add a public holidayon July 27, also known as the Vietnamese War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day, to paytribute to the country’s heroes.
Bui Sy Loi, Vice Chairman of the NationalAssembly’s Committee for Social Affairs, said he supported the draft amendment,noting that even with the addition of the holiday, Vietnam would stillhave only 11 public holidays per year, fewer than other countries inSoutheast Asia.
“The NA Standing Committee has discussed thechange but has not come to a conclusion," he said. "To make afinal decision, we are seeking people’s opinions and evaluating social factorssince working may be a better way to pay tribute than taking a dayoff.”-VNS/VNA
The retirement age for male and female workers could increase from 60 and 55 at present to 62 and 60 respectively from 2021, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA).
Collective bargaining agreements are a legal basis and important tool that help ease arising conflicts between employers and employees as well as protect the legitimate rights and interests of labourers.
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue and leaders of National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs, ministries and agencies discussed amendments to the 2012 Labour Code during a meeting in Hanoi on May 2.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
People gather at a traditional festival in Trieu Khuc village of Hanoi during the Tet holiday (Photo: VNA) 
