When is National Day?
In 2026, National Day falls on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. It is classified here as a Vietnamese public holiday.
History of National Day
National Day marks September 2, 1945, when Hồ Chí Minh proclaimed the independence of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam in Hanoi. It is one of the country's principal civic anniversaries, expressed through ceremonies, flag displays, public exhibitions and the broad visibility of the national colours.
The Labour Code provides two paid National Day holidays: September 2 and one adjacent day selected under the annual arrangement. For 2026, public employees receive September 1 and 2 as the statutory dates, with an additional August 31 day off created through a working-day swap. That extended break is an administrative schedule, not a change to the two statutory National Day leaves.
The declaration read at Ba Đình Square on September 2, 1945 established the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam in the aftermath of Japanese surrender and the August Revolution, amid the unresolved end of French colonial rule and subsequent warfare. Today's Socialist Republic treats the anniversary as its principal national holiday. Article 112 grants two paid days: September 2 and one adjacent day selected annually. In 2026 public employees had September 1–2 as the statutory pair and Monday, August 31 off through a workday swap, making a five-day break from August 29; they worked Saturday, August 22 in exchange. Private employers instead selected September 1 or 3 and notified staff in advance.
How National Day is observed
Two paid statutory days: September 2 and one adjacent day chosen under the annual arrangement; private employers select September 1 or 3 for 2026.
Traditions of National Day
Flags and civic displays
Red flags with the yellow star appear on homes, streets and public buildings alongside exhibitions about September 1945 and state history.
Ba Đình remembrance
Ceremonies and broadcasts recall the independence declaration at Ba Đình Square, while museums and historic sites publish special programmes.
Public events and travel
Concerts or fireworks may be announced in major cities, and the multi-day arrangement produces heavy domestic travel on popular routes.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Viet Nam official and legal guidance. Lunar dates and annual government leave schedules should be confirmed against official notices.
History sources: Viet Nam Labour Code 2019, Article 112: public holiday leave, Government News: 2026 Lunar New Year and National Day schedule, Government policy portal: 2026 Hùng Kings, Reunification and Labour Day leave, Government News: Ministry announces Viet Nam's 2026 holiday schedule.
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