Vietnam debates extending National Day holiday to support families

Proposals to extend the National Day holiday in Vietnam from September 2 to September 5 have sparked discussion among policymakers. The suggestion, originally submitted by the Son La Department of Home Affairs, aims to allow parents more time to accompany their children on the first day of the new school year.

While the Ministry of Home Affairs has declined to adopt the proposal, stating it does not align with the specific objectives of the current draft amendments to the Labor Code, several National Assembly delegates have weighed in. Delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga emphasized that increasing holidays is not just about leisure but is linked to human resource quality, labor productivity, and national competitiveness.

Other delegates, including Trinh Thi Tu Anh and Bui Hoai Son, noted the humanitarian value of the proposal. However, they cautioned that using school openings as the sole justification might be too narrow, as not all workers have school-aged children. They suggested that broader discussions should include flexible working hours or family leave mechanisms to support social welfare and family responsibilities.