What is the meaning of February 17? Will students in Vietnam be entitled to a day off on February 17?

What is the meaning of February 17?

February 17 holds various significance depending on the country and historical events. Below are some important events associated with February 17:

(1) Historical Events in Vietnam

- February 17, 1859 – Franco-Dai Nam War: French forces captured the Gia Dinh Citadel but destroyed it shortly thereafter.

- February 17, 1791: The death of the renowned physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac. Born in 1724 in a family of great intellectuals from Liêu Xá village, Thương Hồng district, Dương Hào district (now Liêu Xá, Yên Mỹ district, Hưng Yên province). Le Huu Trac was not only a great medical scholar but also an outstanding poet, writer, and thinker. He authored the book series "Hai Thuong Y Tong Tam Linh" consisting of 28 volumes, considered the first "Medical Encyclopedia" of Vietnam.

- February 17, 1947: The army and people of the capital concluded 60 days and nights of brave fighting, “resolved to die for the nation’s survival,” against the French forces and defended Hanoi. After fulfilling their mission, the Capital Regiment broke through the thick enemy siege and safely withdrew to the resistance zone under the command of General Vo Nguyen Giap.

- February 17, 1979: The beginning of the fight to protect Vietnam’s northern border. This marks when China launched an attack on the entire northern border of Vietnam, leading to a prolonged border war. This day is regarded as a significant historical event, marking the resolute spirit of national defense by the Vietnamese military and people.

(2) Prominent International Events

- Kosovo’s National Day: On February 17, 2008, Kosovo officially declared independence from Serbia. This was an important event in the political history of the Balkan region.

- Random Acts of Kindness Day: A day celebrated in many countries (especially in New Zealand and the United States) to encourage people to perform kind and good deeds for each other.

Note: Information is for reference purposes only!

What is the meaning of February 17? Will students in Vietnam be entitled to a day off on February 17? (Image from Internet)

Will students in Vietnam be entitled to a day off on February 17?

Currently, there is no regulation on holidays for students during holidays. Therefore, students will study and have holidays according to their school's and teachers' schedules.

Under the provisions of Article 112 of the Labor Code 2019 regarding public holidays:

Public holidays

1. Employees shall be entitled to fully paid days off on the following public holidays:

a) Gregorian Calendar New Year Holiday: 01 day (the 1st of January of the Gregorian calendar);

b) Lunar New Year Holidays: 05 days;

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

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

dd) National Day: 02 days (the 2nd of September of the Gregorian calendar and the previous or next day);

e) Hung Kings Commemoration Day: 01 day (the 10th of the third month of the Lunar calendar).

2. Foreign employees in Vietnam are entitled to 01 traditional public holiday and 01 National Day of their country, in addition to the public holidays stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. The Prime Minister shall decide the specific public holidays mentioned in Point b and Point dd Clause 1 of this Article on an annual basis.

Thus, according to the above regulations, there are no events on February 17 for which students are entitled to a day off.

Are students with the number of days leave exceeding 45 half-days assessed for high school graduation in Vietnam?

According to Article 12 of Circular 22/2021/TT-BGDDT regarding grade advancement, re-assessment during summer break, and grade retention:

Grade advancement, re-assessment during summer break, and grade retention

1. A student who meets following eligibility may advance to the next grade or be recognized as to have completed lower education program or upper education program:

a) Training results of the entire school year (including re-assessment results after training during summer break according to Article 13 hereof) are Qualified or higher.

b) Learning results of the entire school year (including re-assessment results of all subjects according to Article 14 hereof) is Qualified or higher.

c) Number of days leave does not exceed 45 half-days (calculated according to education plans which is 1 half-day for every day under formal education plan, including permitted leave, unpermitted leave, continuous leave, and intermittent leave).

2. In case a student must undergo training during summer break, comply with Article 13 hereof; students must attend re-examination or re-assessment of subjects during summer break as per Article 14 hereof.

3. A student who does not meet all eligibility under Clause 1 of this Article are not allowed to advance to the next grade or recognized as to have completed lower secondary education level or upper secondary education level.

4. For students with disabilities: Principals shall rely on assessment results of students with disabilities as per Article 11 hereof to consider grade advancement or recognition of completion of lower secondary education level or upper secondary education level.

Additionally, according to Article 19 of the High School Graduation Exam Regulations issued with Circular 24/2024/TT-BGDDT, the eligibility requirements for taking the high school graduation exam are stipulated as follows:

Candidates and eligibility requirements for taking the exam

1. Candidate includes:

a) Individuals who have completed the General Education Program/Continuing Education Program in the year of the exam;

b) Individuals who have completed the General Education Program/Continuing Education Program but have not yet graduated in previous years;

c) Individuals with a high school diploma taking the exam for scores as a basis for admission to undergraduate programs;

d) Individuals with a secondary diploma taking the exam for scores as a basis for admission to undergraduate programs.

2. Eligibility requirements for taking the exam

a) Candidates must register for the exam and submit all documents on time;

b) Individuals specified at Point d, Clause 1 must ensure they have learned and passed the required high school cultural knowledge under the Education Law and current guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Therefore, 12th-grade students with the number of days leave exceeding 45 half-days in an academic year will not be eligible for graduation as they do not meet the criteria.

Note: The above number of days leave does not include public holidays that 12th-grade students are entitled to by law.