If you source from Vietnam or do business with Vietnamese companies, you should be familiar with Vietnamese holidays. Vietnam abounds in various holidays that are inextricably linked to its national identity. Many of these holidays have their roots in China or India, which only adds to their richness. In this article, we will present the holidays in Vietnam 2025.
Holidays in Vietnam 2025
New Year in Vietnam
Day off: January 1st, 2025
Although the Gregorian New Year is not celebrated as grandly as the first day of the Vietnamese calendar, it is still a public holiday. Events, concerts, and fireworks displays are often hosted in cities to mark the occasion.
Tết (Vietnamese New Year)
Days off: January 28th – February 2nd, 2025
Tết, also known as the Vietnamese New Year, falls between the second half of January and the first half of February. It heralds the end of winter and is also known as the Spring Festival.
Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, symbolizes a new beginning and hopes for the coming year. It is a time of joy, family reunions, and cultural traditions. During Tết, families come together, visit loved ones, honor the eldest family members, offer sacrifices to ancestors, see graves, exchange well-wishes, make offerings at temples, and engage in thorough cleaning activities. The festive atmosphere and the unique traditions of Tết make it a truly special time in Vietnam.
Each year in the Vietnamese calendar is associated with a zodiac sign, and Tết marks the change. 2025 will be the Year of the Snake. It’s important to note that business trips to Vietnam during the New Year period are discouraged due to the grand celebrations and a general price rise. Knowing these practical implications can help you plan your business operations and travel more effectively.
The Hùng Kings’ Festival
Day off: April 7th, 2025
The Hùng Kings’ Festival is celebrated annually on the tenth day of the third month of the Vietnamese calendar, making it a movable holiday. The festival lasts several days, but only the first day is a public holiday. This is a significant holiday for the Vietnamese people, celebrated to commemorate the legendary Hùng Kings, who are considered the founders and first rulers of Vietnam. The festivities take place at the Hùng Kings’ Temple, located on Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain, approximately 90 kilometers from Hanoi.
Liberation Day
Day off: April 30th, 2025
The Liberation Day commemorates the liberation of Saigon and the reunification of North and South Vietnam on April 30, 1975, which also marked the end of the war. On this day, Vietnamese flags are hoisted across the country, and parades, as well as various events such as concerts and fireworks displays, are hosted in cities. The most significant ceremonies, however, take place in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon.
Labor Day
Day off: May 1st, 2025
Labor Day is celebrated the day after Liberation Day, so the celebrations intertwine. During this holiday, you can witness parades, listen to speeches, attend cultural events, and stroll through streets adorned with Vietnamese flags, banners, and various decorations. Although offices and institutions are closed, it’s a good time for tourism in Vietnam.
Independence Day
Day off: September 2nd, 2025
Independence Day commemorates the proclamation of independence on September 2, 1945, marking the liberation of Vietnam from French and Japanese occupations and the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The holiday is celebrated through military parades, fireworks displays, visits to historical sites, and spending time with family.
Other holidays in Vietnam
Most holidays in Vietnam are celebrated locally. However, national holidays are celebrated throughout the country, although they may not result in a day off from work. These holidays, nonetheless, hold immense significance and are widely celebrated nationwide. Some of them include:
- Perfume Pagoda Festival: from January to March 2025 (movable holiday)
It is the longest festival in Vietnam, lasting for three months, and is an occasion for pilgrimages to the Perfume Pagoda, a 15th-century Buddhist religious site. Most of the pilgrimages take place from the 15th to the 20th day of the second month of the lunar calendar, which is considered the optimal time for this event.
- Communist Party of Vietnam Foundation Anniversary: February 3rd, 2025
On this day, Vietnamese people commemorate the establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1930 and its activities.
- Buddha’s Birthday: May 5th, 2025 (movable holiday)
Buddha’s Birthday, also known as Vesak, is one of the most important holidays in Buddhism. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of the religion. On this day, Buddhists across Vietnam engage in acts of charity and volunteer work, as well as decorating temples or reenacting scenes from Buddha’s life.
- Remembrance Day: July 27th, 2025
On this day, a solemn tribute is paid to all Vietnamese people who died or were wounded during the Vietnamese War.
- Vietnamese Women’s Day: October 20th, 2025
In Vietnam, in addition to International Women’s Day on March 8th, National Women’s Day is also celebrated. It’s an occasion to honor and express gratitude to women and mothers and their significant achievements. Moreover, the holiday commemorates the establishment of the Vietnamese Women’s Association in 1930.
How do holidays in Vietnam affect business matters?
Holidays in Vietnam significantly impact business matters, so when conducting business with partners from this country, it’s important to consider the calendar of national and local holidays. The most significant of these holidays—Tết—has six days off, during which many businesses are closed, and employees go on vacation. Planning business trips or meetings during this period can be challenging, so agreeing on dates and schedules in advance is crucial.
Awareness of Vietnamese holidays helps to avoid delays and better manage business relationships, which is particularly important for efficient business operations.
