What Are Bank Holidays in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, what we in the UK might call ‘bank holidays’ are known as public holidays or ‘ngày lễ’. These are official days off when government offices, banks, schools, and many businesses close. Unlike UK bank holidays, which are mostly fixed Christian or secular dates, Vietnam’s holidays blend Gregorian calendar events with lunar traditions, especially the massive Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year).
For UK travellers, expats, or businesses with ties to Vietnam, understanding these dates is crucial. Travel disruptions, office closures, and nationwide celebrations can impact plans. As we sit here in April 2026 – just after UK Easter Monday on 6 April – it’s an ideal time to plan ahead for the rest of the year. Vietnam’s holidays often mean packed transport and higher prices, but they offer vibrant festivals too.
This guide lists all confirmed Vietnam public holidays for 2026, compares them to UK bank holidays, and provides practical tips. Dates are based on official projections; the government announces exact holiday extensions annually, especially for Tết.
Full List of Vietnam Bank Holidays 2026
Here’s the complete roster. Note that if a holiday falls on a weekend, it may shift or extend. Tết typically gets a generous 7-9 day break.
New Year’s Day – Thursday, 1 January 2026
Vietnam joins the world in celebrating 1 January with a single day off. Banks and offices close, but it’s quieter than Tết. Fireworks light up cities like Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi. For UK visitors, this coincides exactly with England’s New Year’s Day bank holiday (Thursday 1 January), making it a seamless start to transatlantic travel plans.
Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year) – 17-19 February 2026
The biggest event: Tết falls on Saturday 17 February (lunar 1st day), Sunday 18th, and Monday 19th. Expect a holiday stretch from around Thursday 12 February to Wednesday 25 February – up to two weeks in practice, as families travel home.
Markets buzz with peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and bánh chưng rice cakes. But beware: roads jam, flights sell out, and services halt. ATMs run dry in rural areas. UK expats often fly home during this period, avoiding the chaos.
Commemoration of the Hung Kings – Tuesday, 21 April 2026
Honouring Vietnam’s legendary founders on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month. A one-day holiday with pilgrimages to Phú Thọ province. Temples overflow; it’s family-oriented. Strikingly, this is just two weeks after UK Easter (Good Friday 3 April, Easter Monday 6 April). UK holidaymakers might extend Easter trips, but expect Vietnamese sites busier.
Reunification Day – Thursday, 30 April 2026
Marking the fall of Saigon in 1975. Paired with Labour Day, this creates a long weekend. Parades in HCMC, flag-waving nationwide. Offices close 30 April to 1 May (Friday), often extending to Tuesday 4 May if Monday’s a bridge day.
International Labour Day – Friday, 1 May 2026
Combined with 30 April for a four-day break (29 April Tuesday to 2 May? Government decides). Workers’ holiday with rallies and rest. UK firms in Vietnam should note supply chain halts.
National Day – Thursday, 2 September 2026
Celebrating independence from France in 1945. Holiday from 1-3 September typically. Fireworks, military parades in Hanoi. Schools and banks shut; tourism peaks.
Other potential dates like Christmas (25 December) aren’t official but may see closures in tourist areas.
UK Bank Holidays 2026: Key Comparisons
To help UK-based planners, here’s how Vietnam’s dates stack against ours (sourced from gov.uk):
- New Year’s Day: Thursday 1 January 2026 (all UK) – matches Vietnam perfectly.
- Scotland only: Friday 2 January 2026.
- Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026 (all UK).
- Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026 (England, Wales, NI; Scotland works).
- Early May: Monday 4 May 2026 (all UK) – just after Vietnam’s April-May cluster.
- Spring: Monday 25 May 2026 (all UK).
- Scotland Summer: Monday 3 August 2026.
- England/Wales/NI Summer: Monday 31 August 2026 – before Vietnam’s September.
- St Andrew’s Day: Monday 30 November 2026 (Scotland).
- Christmas: Friday 25 December; Boxing Day Saturday 26th, substitute Monday 28 December.
Overlaps and Gaps: No direct clashes except New Year. Vietnam’s April 21 Hung Kings follows UK Easter closely – ideal for combined trips. Tết (Feb) sits between UK New Year and Easter, a good travel window if avoiding lunar chaos. UK May bank holiday dodges Vietnam’s Labour stretch.
Planning Travel from the UK to Vietnam in 2026
Best Times to Visit
Avoid Tết (Feb) and April-May for fewer crowds. Post-Easter April (after 21st) or June-July align with UK school hols but miss Vietnam peaks. September National Day? Steer clear unless loving parades.
Flights and Visas
From London Heathrow or Manchester, direct to HCMC/Hanoi via Vietnam Airlines or VietJet. Book 6 months ahead for Tết. UK citizens get 15-day visa-free (extendable). Check FCDO updates.
During Holidays
Tết: Embrace it – visit markets, but stock cash. Hung Kings: Head to northern temples if based in Hanoi. Expect 20-50% price hikes.
In April 2026 context, with UK spring bank holiday on 25 May approaching, now book summer escapes to Vietnam’s beaches (Phú Quốc, Nha Trang) before August summer holidays.
Implications for UK Businesses and Expats
UK firms like Unilever or HSBC in Vietnam face closures. Plan shipments around Tết (global supply dips). Remote workers: VPNs essential as internet slows.
Expats in HCMC or Hanoi: Join locals for banh mi picnics on 30 April. Tax deadlines shift on holidays.
What to Expect: Closures and Celebrations
- Banks/ATMs: Shut 1-2 days; carry GBP/VND cash.
- Transport: Buses/trains book out; Grab surges.
- Tourist Sites: Open but mobbed (e.g., Ha Long Bay during Tết).
- Shopping: Markets thrive; malls close.
Safety: Festivals are family-friendly, low crime, but pickpockets rise.
Conclusion
Vietnam’s 2026 bank holidays offer cultural immersion but demand foresight. By cross-referencing with UK dates like Easter Monday (6 April) or May bank holiday (4 May), you can optimise trips or operations. Whether you’re a backpacker from Birmingham or a board director in Belgravia, this guide equips you. Check Vietnam’s Ministry of Labour for updates, and happy planning!
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