Tet 2025 in Vietnam: Holiday Schedule, Benefits, and Key Customs

Key Takeaways:

• The official Tet 2025 holiday will last for nine consecutive days. Businesses can offer additional days off before or after the official dates, as needed. Scroll down to learn more about the 2025 Tet holiday schedule.
• Tet bonuses and pre-Tet parties are great ways to show respect for Vietnamese workers. Join ERA to explore the benefits workers are entitled to, and the Tet customs foreign businesses should be aware of.

Tet 2025 Holiday Schedule in Vietnam

1. Official Tet 2025 Dates:

The official Tet holiday dates for 2025 will follow the lunar calendar, with the first day of the Lunar New Year falling on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 (solar calendar). The official nine-day holiday will span from the 26th day of lunar December to the 5th day of Tet, which corresponds to January 25 to February 2, 2025.

Since Tet is based on the lunar calendar, the actual dates of the public holidays differ from year to year and can fall on any day of the week or weekend. Hence, businesses need to make some adjustments to employee holiday schedules, plan work shifts where appropriate, and consider store closures and reopenings to coincide with the Tet holiday period.

Tet, or “Tết Nguyên Đán”, in Vietnam. Source: wikipedia.org

2. Government-Declared Public Holiday:

Vietnam’s Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) allows five days off for Tet 2025: two days before Tet and three days after, spanning from Monday, January 27, 2025 (December 28 in the lunar calendar), to Friday, January 31, 2025 (January 3 in the lunar calendar).

In fact, the Tet 2025 holiday period is enveloped by two weekend days before and after the actual break, and that means workers actually get nine continuous days off starting Saturday, January 25, 2025 (December 26 in the lunar calendar), till Sunday, February 2, 2025 (January 5 in the lunar calendar).

These include compensatory leave and are entitled in private enterprises, state agencies, and schools. According to the Labor Code 2019 and Decree 145/2020/ND-CP, businesses wishing to have employees work overtime during Tet must get consent from an employee, coupled with higher wages.

Private enterprises have flexibility in scheduling but must notify employees of their holiday plans at least 30 days in advance and ensure compliance with government regulations. 

3. Impact on Work Schedules:

Labor Law in Vietnam allows employees, accordingly, to negotiate with the employer the use of annual leaves to create an extension of the Tet holiday to either start the holiday earlier or return to work later than the scheduled dates. If the extension would involve unpaid leaves, then employers’ consent is still required.

Traffic jams are likely to occur as people rush home for Tet. Source: laodong.vn

Moreover, the private enterprise may allow more days off before and after Tet in order to let employees have longer periods to travel to and prepare for their distant hometowns and have reunions with family. This also limits stress from traffic congestion during holidays.

Employee Benefits and Entitlements During Tet 2025

1. Tet Bonuses and Year-End Allowances:

The Labor Law does not mandate that businesses provide Tet bonuses to employees. However, companies often consider Tet bonuses as a valuable incentive, both to express gratitude for employees’ contributions over the year and to retain talent, especially since many employees tend to seek new jobs after Tet.

The minimum Tet bonus amount is determined by the company’s bonus regulations, which are publicly announced at the workplace after consultation with the organization representing employees, where applicable. Typically, Tet bonuses are equivalent to one month’s salary or are based on individual performance.

Giving Tet 2025 bonuses is optional for businesses, but it is essential to clearly and transparently communicate the bonus policy to workers. Source: doanhnghiephoinhap.vn

2. Additional Allowances and Benefits:

In addition to Tet bonuses, companies can choose to reward employees in other meaningful and practical ways, such as providing train tickets for travel home, offering Tet shopping vouchers, giving household items, or presenting gifts that capture the spirit of Tet, such as delicious teas and boxes of dried fruits

Gift basket for Tet. Source: ketoan.vn

3. Holiday Pay and Overtime for Essential Work:

Regarding overtime pay, employees working on holidays during Tet are entitled to at least 300% of their regular wage, excluding holiday and Tet pay or any paid leave for employees who are paid by the day.

If employees work at night or work overtime at night, they must receive at least 30% of their base wage for night work, plus 20% of their base wage for regular work, or the salary for work done on a regular workday, weekly day off, or holiday.

An important note is that the additional income earned by employees during Tet is exempt from personal income tax.

Key Tet Customs and Cultural Considerations for Foreign Businesses

1. Tet Traditions to Know:

Tet is the most important holiday for Vietnamese people, so everybody tries to get back to their hometown to be with their families. Before Tet, every house had to be cleaned up and then decorated. During Tet time, the common activities would be visiting relatives, going to the temple and praying, and honoring ancestors with respect.

Tet is a cherished time for families to reunite. Source: dantri.com.vn

One of the most unique and intriguing customs is “Xông Đất,” where the very first guest to enter a home after midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve or the morning of the first day of Tet is believed to bring luck and fortune into the family for the year.

2. Dos and Don’ts During Tet:

According to Vietnamese custom, everything done during Tet will affect the whole year. Giving “Lì Xì” in small red envelopes to children and unmarried adults is a traditional way to wish good luck in the coming year. While the amount may not be large, the custom is quintessential to Vietnamese.

Vietnamese custom of “Lì Xì.” Source: prudential.com.vn

Besides, in Tet, there are some taboos to be observed, such as not talking about death or bad luck, demanding debt repayments, and wearing black and white when visiting other people’s houses. Maybe impossible to confirm in reality, but this avoids offending Vietnamese culture.

3. Best Practices for Foreign Companies Operating in Vietnam:

In addition to adhering to the Government’s regulations on the number of Vietnamese New Year 2025 holidays, foreign businesses should also implement celebration programs that foster positive relationships with their Vietnamese workers and contribute to a harmonious workplace during the season.

Depending on the nature of the job, companies can offer employees the option to extend their vacation, particularly for those who take much time to return to their hometowns. Additionally, hosting pre-Tet parties and offering traditional Vietnamese gifts can further enhance the festive spirit.

Recommendations for Tet Programs and Employee Engagement

1. Organizing Pre-Tet Events:

Hosting a pre-Tet company party, or “Tiệc Tất Niên,” is a thoughtful way to help employees feel valued during the Tet season. Source: yourvacation.vn

These gatherings often feature delicious food and lively musical performances, both of which are key elements in creating a festive atmosphere.

To make the celebration even more engaging, consider adding games with prizes, gift exchanges, or random draws. These could include distributing money, giving away household items, or offering small but meaningful Tet-themed gifts.

2. Flexible Work Policies for Tet:

In addition to providing additional leaves, businesses can also allow remote work to help employees reduce stress during the busy Vietnamese New Year 2025 season. This flexibility enables employees to stay on top of their tasks while having more time for family responsibilities.

Also, businesses should plan work coverage for the Tet 2025 holiday by identifying any positions that require on-duty staff and setting clear expectations. This approach allows employees to plan their holiday schedules effectively and ensures a smooth workflow during the Tet period.

3. Promoting Cultural Understanding:

Understanding and respecting Tet 2025 customs forms part of building good relationships with Vietnamese employees for any foreign manager. The Tet atmosphere might be introduced into the company’s culture by decorating the office with Tet themes, sending New Year greeting cards, and offering lucky money on the first day of work following the holiday.

Office decoration for Tet. Source: aicjsc.com

At ERA, we understand that adapting to the traditional culture of a country, especially one as culturally rich and diverse as Vietnam can be quite challenging.

Through our Employer of Record (EoR) service, we take on a company’s legal responsibilities for employment. This would include handling employee payroll, taking care of taxes and benefits, and ensuring compliance in HR with local labor laws and regulations.

With ERA, companies can build a proficient team in Vietnam or any other 100+ countries of their choice without having to form an entity locally. Reach out today and learn how our EoR solution can make global expansion a piece of cake!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can employees opt for additional Tet days off beyond the government-mandated days?

Yes, workers can bargain with their employer to have more days off than the Government’s holiday. They must get the employer’s consent and approval of such leave, whether paid or unpaid.

2. How can foreign companies show appreciation to their Vietnamese staff during Tet?

Providing Tet bonuses is a highly effective way to show appreciation for employees’ contributions. Additionally, to honor Vietnamese cultural traditions, foreign managers can consider giving gift baskets with traditional specialties, hosting pre-Tet celebrations, and decorating the workplace with Tet-themed decor.

3. What are common gifts for Tet, and how should companies present them?

For Tet, companies often give traditional gifts like tea, candied fruits, nuts, or red envelopes with lucky money, symbolizing good fortune. Practical items like household goods are also appreciated. Present these gifts in festive wrapping with a New Year’s message a few days before Tet so employees can bring them home and share them with their families during the holiday.