The following is a guest post by Foreign Law Specialist Sayuri Umeda, and the following foreign law interns who work with Sayuri: Raksmei Dara, Inseol Hong, Dr. Nguyet Le, and Panicha (Yuri) Rattanaboonsen.
This is our second joint blog comparing laws in Asian countries where we are from: Japan, Cambodia, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. The first one compared voting in public elections. This time, we compare the national holiday systems of the countries we represent. National holidays are deeply connected to the traditions and culture of each country, and we found some interesting anecdotes.
The following questions were asked:
- What law or regulation decides national holidays? Who can add or remove holidays?
- How many national holidays does your country have?
- When is New Year’s Day? Is it a national holiday?
- Is Christmas a national holiday?
- Is there a Constitution Day?
- What is the most recent national holiday to be added?
In the remainder of this blog, we will explore the answers to these questions and how the legislation regarding holidays varies in each country represented.
What law or regulation decides public holidays? Who can add or remove holidays?
Countries are divided into two groups: the national holiday law group and the labor law group.
Japan and South Korea have national holiday laws. (Japan, Act on National Holidays, Act No. 178 of 1948, as amended; and South Korea, Act on Public Holidays, Act No. 18291, Jul. 7, 2021.) In these countries, their parliaments decide on public holidays.
In Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, holidays are determined by labor laws. (Cambodia, Labor Law, March 1997, amended in 2007, art. 161; Thailand, Labor Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998), as amended, secs. 5, 28, 29; and Vietnam, Labor Law, No. 45/2019/QH14, Nov. 20, 2019, art. 112.) In Cambodia, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training issues a list of paid public holidays for the following year, usually before October. In Thailand, each employer decides holidays based on the traditional list of national and traditional holidays. In Vietnam, the National Assembly decides on public holidays.
How many national holidays does each country have?
Regarding the number of national holidays, Cambodia tops the list with 23 days, followed by Thailand with 19 days, Japan with 16 days, South Korea with 15 days, and one election day for when the year has an election of the president, and Vietnam with 11 days.
However, in Japan, the Act on Working Hours, Leaves, etc. for National Public Officers Engaged in Regular Services (Act No. 33 of 1994, as amended) adds seven days around New Year’s Day as holidays for national public officers. Many businesses do the same, as it is a convention in Japan, except for retail businesses. If we add Japan’s end-of-year and beginning-of-year paid leave days, Japan’s number of holidays increases to 20, and Japan moves up to second place. In addition, some private companies and municipal governments set the traditional Obon holiday, a holiday that remembers and commemorates dead ancestors, for three days in mid-August. The total number of public holidays for people working in these offices is 23, the same as in Cambodia.
On the contrary, in Thailand, employers can reduce holidays to 13 days, but Labor Day must be included. The Thai Labor Protection Act states, “[a]n Employer shall announce not less than thirteen traditional holidays per year in advance for Employees, including National Labor Day as specified by the Minister.” (Thai Labor Protection Act, sec. 29.)
Vietnam has special treatments for foreign employees. They can have two extra holidays: New Year’s Day and the Independence Day of the country where they are from. (Vietnamese Labor Law, art. 112.)
When is New Year’s Day? Is it a public holiday?
January 1st on the Gregorian calendar is a New Year’s Day holiday in every country.
Cambodia uses the Gregorian calendar for official, civil, and international purposes like government operations, business, and education. Cambodia also maintains its traditional Khmer solar calendar for religious and cultural events. Khmer New Year, which typically falls on April 13 or 14 in the Gregorian system, is a holiday. Khmer New Year aligns with the sun’s mid-April position, a moment traditionally regarded as a sign of a fruitful harvest.
South Korea and Vietnam make the Lunar New Year a public holiday. In Korea, the Lunar New Year, Seollal, is one of the most important traditional holidays. This year, the holiday ran from January 27 to 30, but the official dates can vary from year to year; it typically follows the second new moon after the winter solstice. Families traditionally begin the day with Charye, a ceremonial rite honoring their ancestors. Younger family members perform Sebae, a deep bow to their elders, who in return offer words of blessing and give New Year’s money. In Vietnam, it is also the most important holiday in which people wear Ao Dai and decorate their residences and offices. In 2025, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year holiday lasts for nine days from January 25th to February 2nd. This includes the five public holidays and two weekends.
In Thailand, the traditional Thai New Year, Songkran, on April 13, is a national holiday. It runs through April 15. UNESCO inscribed “Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival” on its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List. It is renowned for the splashing water festival. The people pour water to pay respect to the elderly, ancestors, and the Buddha image with representing cleansing, reverence, and bringing good fortune.
Is Christmas a public holiday?
Only South Korea makes Christmas a public holiday. Of the five countries, South Korea has the highest percentage (31%) of its population who are Christian. South Korea also makes Buddha’s birthday, April 8 on the lunar calendar, a public holiday. Thailand also makes Buddha’s birthday a holiday.
In Cambodia, Buddhism is the official state religion. (Constitution, art. 43.) Thailand does not have an official state religion. However, the king is required to be Buddhist. (Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560, sec. 7.) Therefore, Christmas is unlikely to be a public holiday in these countries. Though it is not a public holiday, Christmas is celebrated in the four countries as a festive day.
Is there a Constitution Day?
Cambodia, Japan, and Thailand have constitution days that are public holidays: Cambodia, September 24; Japan, May 3; and Thailand, December 10. South Korea has its Constitution Day on July 17. It used to be a public holiday, but since 2008, it has stopped being a public holiday, as part of labor law revisions aiming to cut public holidays. Vietnam has Law Day to honor its Constitution and laws on November 9 (Law On Law Dissemination and Education, No. 14/2012/QH2013); however, it is not a public holiday.
What is the latest public holiday added?
- Cambodia: The National Peace Day (December 29) was added in 2024.
- Japan: The Mountain Day (August 11) was added in 2014. (Act No. 43 of 2014.) Marine Day (the third Monday of July) was added earlier, in 1995.
- South Korea: The Hangul Proclamation Day (October 9) was a public holiday, but was excluded from public holidays in 1991. It was redesignated as a public holiday in 2012.
- Thailand: The Secretariat of the Cabinet announces an overview of public holidays every year, which usually includes new special holidays. Thailand has a total of 21 holidays in 2025.
- Vietnam: The Independence Day (September 2) was added in 2019.
Were you aware of some of these holidays, and were there any interesting facts that stuck out to you? Let us know below in the comments!
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