Hanoi (VNA) - 🦂In Vietnam, the Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) holiday this year coincides with the weekend, so it lasts for 5 days, which is one of the two longest holidays in 2019. Holidays are occasions for workers not only to refresh but also to promote trade and services.

Holidays in Vietnam: more or less?

Each country usually has annual holidays to celebrate important cultural, religious or political events. On special holidays, employees do not have to go to work but still receive their salary, and they are called  public holidays. Public holidays are often stipulated in labor laws of each country. According to the provisions of the Labor Code, laboureres in Vietnam enjoy 10 public holidays. Compared to many countries in the world, Vietnam's 10 holidays are not too many. It is not difficult to verify which countries have public holidays of more than 10 days a year, such as India (21 days), China (17 days), Turkey (16 days), Sweden (15 days) and the United States ( 10 days). Currently, the number of holidays in Vietnam is fewer than other countries in the region. For Cambodia, it is 27 days, for the Philippines it is 18 days, Thailand (16 days), Malaysia and Japan (15 days), and Laos (12 days). Thus, it can be seen that Vietnam's holiday time is still lower than many countries in the region and the world. This is probably the reason why the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs is studying to add one more holiday in the year, increasing the number of public holidays to 11 days.

Additional holiday on which occasion?

The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs is considering researching and commenting on designating  July 27, the Day for Wounded and Fallen Soldiers of Vietnam, as a national public holiday, to express its gratitude to people with meritorious services to the country. Although this is just a study that has not yet been included in the final revision of the Labour Code, the addition of holidays has received many favorable comments. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, former Director of the Institute of Science, Labour and Social Affairs, on July 27 around the country, there are still activities to visit cemeteries and to give gifts to people with meritorious services.  In Vietnam, there are millions of families whose loved ones died in the resistance wars. If not taken, relatives of martyrs still take leave to visit their loved ones at the cemeteries. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong said: “Culturally, I think this is a noble gesture. From an economic standpoint, one more day off does not affect labour productivity, while stimulating tourism, shopping. ” Mr. Le Dinh Quang, Deputy Head of Labour Relations Department  under the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour said that at present, the total number of public holidays in the year is not too much. Adding one or even two days off to help workers regenerate labour force can be considered. From an economic development perspective, an extra day off is also an opportunity to stimulate shopping, boost trade and services. Arranging holidays so that workers can both rest and still ensure production and business activities is also a problem for countries. In China, in addition to holidays with only one day off, the country applies the two "Golden Weeks". It means that its people enjoy two long holidays, each holiday lasts continuously for a week, including Lunar New Year holidays and National Day holidays. Some countries choose Children's Day, Constitution day, Buddhist holiday, Christmas holiday, King's birthday as public holidays./.