According to the Labor Code, employees are entitled to take a day off work and receive full pay for 11 holidays, including: New Year's Day is 1 day off (January 1); Lunar New Year is 5 days off; Day of the Union is 1 day (April 30); International Labor Day is 1 day off (February 1); National Day is 2 days off (September 2 and 1 day before or after); Hung Vuong's Commemoration Day is 1 day off (March 10 of the Lunar calendar).
The specific annual holiday schedule will be decided by the Prime Minister and schools will have guiding documents to implement based on that decision, including Lunar New Year, New Year, Hung Vuong's Commemoration Day, Unity Day, International Labor Day and National Day September 2.
January 1, 2026 falls on Thursday. Therefore, students at preschool, primary, secondary and high school levels nationwide will have an official day off, which is Thursday (January 1, 2026), and return to school as usual on Friday (January 2, 2026). On this day off, teachers are entitled to full salary according to the Labor Code.
In fact, some localities - especially large provinces and cities - can consider giving students an additional day off on January 2, 2026 to create a 4-day holiday, continuing with the weekend. However, this is not a mandatory regulation and only applies when there are specific instructions from the local Department of Education and Training.
In Ho Chi Minh City, at the General Education Professional Conference, on the morning of December 9, the leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training said that Ho Chi Minh City students may have an additional day off on January 2 to have a 4-day consecutive New Year holiday (January 1 to 4), decided by the principal, according to the leader of the Department of Education and Training.
According to current records, most provinces and cities still maintain the 1-day holiday plan according to regulations. However, if provinces and cities or schools decide to give students an additional day off on January 2, students can have 4 days off.
Parents and students need to monitor official announcements from schools to proactively arrange study and living plans during the New Year holiday.
Previously, the Ministry of Education and Training issued Decision 2269/QD-BGDDT in 2025 promulgating the 2025-2026 school year time plan framework for preschool education, general education and continuing education nationwide.
Regarding the 2025-2026 school year time frame, the Ministry stipulates:
The oldest school is 01 week before the opening date. For grades 1 and 9, grade 12 will graduate 02 weeks earlier than the opening date.
The opening ceremony will be held on September 5, 2025.
End the first semester before January 18, 2026, complete the program and end the school year before May 31, 2026.
Consider recognizing the completion of the primary school program and considering recognizing the graduation of junior high school before June 30, 2026.
Complete enrollment for first-level classes before July 31, 2026.
The 2026 high school graduation exam is scheduled to take place on June 11 and 12, 2026.
Other national exams are organized according to the regulations and instructions of the Ministry of Education and Training.
In principle, holidays and Tet holidays are implemented according to the provisions of the Labor Code and annual guidance documents.
Teachers' annual leave is taken during the summer vacation or can be arranged alternately at other times of the year to suit the specific characteristics and school year time plans of the locality.
The school year time plan needs to ensure consistency for all levels of education in a residential area, especially in high schools with many levels of education.
