What is "Thanh Minh"? When does the "Tết Thanh minh" take place in Vietnam in 2025? Are Vietnamese tax officials entitled to a day off for the "Tết Thanh minh" in 2025?

What is "Thanh Minh"? When does the "Tết Thanh minh" take place in Vietnam in 2025?

The literal meaning of Thanh Minh is: "thanh" means pure air, and "minh" means brightness. The Thanh Minh season refers to a time when the weather is cool and clear.

The "Tết Thanh minh", also known as the Tomb Sweeping Day, is an important traditional festival in Vietnamese culture and many East Asian countries. It is the fifth solar term in the "twenty-four solar terms" of the lunisolar calendar, starting 45 days after the Beginning of Spring and 105 days after the Winter Solstice.

The duration of the Thanh Minh season usually begins around April 4th or 5th (after the end of the Spring Equinox) and ends around April 20th or 21st of the solar calendar. In 2025, the "Tết Thanh minh" will take place on April 4, according to the solar calendar, which corresponds to March 8 of the lunar calendar.

On this day, families often clean the gravesites, offer prayers to their ancestors, and may prepare offerings at home or at the graves to express respect. It is an occasion for descendants to commemorate and express filial piety to their ancestors through cleaning and tending to the gravesites and performing ritual offerings.

The "Tết Thanh minh" is not only an occasion to remember ancestors but also an opportunity for family reunions, educating children about the tradition of "drinking water, remember the source," and strengthening family bonds. Additionally, it is a suitable time for people to participate in outdoor activities, enjoying the fresh air of spring.

Thus, the "Tết Thanh minh" in 2025 will fall on Friday, April 4, according to the solar calendar, corresponding to March 8 of the lunar calendar.

What is "Thanh Minh"? When does the "Tết Thanh minh" take place in Vietnam in 2025? (Image from the Internet)

Are Vietnamese tax officials entitled to a day off for the "Tết Thanh minh" in 2025?

According to Article 112 of the Labor Code 2019 which stipulates the holidays, festivals during which employees are entitled to paid leave:

Holidays and Festivals

1. Employees are entitled to paid leave on the following holidays and festivals:

a) New Year's Day: 01 day (January 1 of the solar calendar);

b) Lunar New Year: 05 days;

c) Victory Day: 01 day (April 30 of the solar calendar);

d) International Labor Day: 01 day (May 1 of the solar calendar);

đ) National Day: 02 days (September 2 of the solar calendar and 01 consecutive day before or after);

e) Hung Kings' Anniversary: 01 day (March 10 of the lunar calendar).

2. Foreign employees working in Vietnam, in addition to the holidays prescribed in clause 1 of this Article, are entitled to have an extra day off for their traditional New Year and National Day.

3. Annually, based on practical conditions, the Prime Minister the Government of Vietnam specifies the holidays prescribed in points b and đ of clause 1 of this Article.

Therefore, the "Tết Thanh minh" in 2025 is not designated as a public holiday on which Vietnamese tax officials are entitled to paid leave.

However, Vietnamese tax officials may apply for a day off on this occasion by the following means:

(1) Using annual leave

According to Article 114 of the Labor Code 2019, employees will have from 12 to 16 days of annual leave if working for a full year. Therefore, if Vietnamese tax officials have remaining leave or can borrow future leave, they can use their annual leave to participate in the "Tết Thanh minh" in 2025.

(2) Aggregating leave

According to clause 4, Article 113 of the Labor Code 2019, Vietnamese tax officials can negotiate with their organization or superiors to take leave at multiple times or aggregate up to three years at once.

If superiors agree to allow aggregated leave, Vietnamese tax officials will receive full salary during these leave days.

(3) Unpaid leave

Vietnamese tax officials can negotiate with their agency or superiors to have unpaid leave if they have exhausted their annual leave or wish to save their leave.

Note: Additional leave by aggregating leave or unpaid leave must be negotiated and agreed upon by superiors or the working organization; if taken without permission, employees are considered voluntarily absent from work.

What are the general ethical standards for Vietnamese tax officials?

Pursuant to Article 4 of Circular 29/2022/TT-BTC which specifically prescribes the general ethical standards for Vietnamese tax officials as follows:

(1) Firmly grasp the policies and guidelines of the Communist Party; be faithful to the Homeland, the Communist Party, and the State; protect the interests of the Homeland and the people.

(2) Fulfill all obligations of an official as prescribed by the law; seriously comply with the task assignments of superiors; obey the law, discipline, and administrative order; set an example in following the rules and regulations of the organization.

(3) Be dedicated, responsible, honest, objective, unbiased; maintain appropriate manners and cultural conduct in executing duties, adhere to standards in communicating with and serving the people.

(4) Have a healthy lifestyle and modest demeanor; be frugal, just, impartial; not exploit official duties for personal gain; avoid being bureaucratic, corrupt, wasteful, or negative.

(5) Regularly cultivate the consciousness for self-improvement, to enhance personal qualities, professional skills, and capacities.