What is the meaning of February 18? During a year, what are public holidays on which teachers in Vietnam are entitled to fully paid days off?

What is the meaning of February 18?

February 18 can hold various significance depending on different countries and historical events. Below is some information related to this date:

(1) Important national historical events on February 18

- February 18, 1885: The Sino-French War: Qing Dynasty troops withdrew from Lang Son, Vietnam.

- February 18, 1930: The Yen Bai Mutiny led by the Vietnamese Nationalist Party against French colonialists.

- February 18, 1946: President Ho Chi Minh sent diplomatic notes to China, the US, the Soviet Union, and the UK, exposing France’s plot to reinvade and urgently requested these nations to "take all appropriate steps for an urgent intervention to prevent bloodshed occurring in South Vietnam and work towards an urgent and reasonable solution for the Indochina issue."

- February 18, 1947: Indochina War: French troops captured Hanoi after the Capital Regiment retreated to a combat zone.

- From February 18 to 21, 1973: The 4th National Assembly held its 3rd session in Hanoi. In this special session, the National Assembly listened to the Government of Vietnam report on the signing of the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam in Paris on January 27, 1973.

- February 18, 1979: The Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, along with other important agreements, was signed in Phnom Penh.

- February 18, 1979: The Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia and other important agreements were signed in Phnom Penh. The treaty notes that both parties committed to supporting and assisting each other in all aspects and by all necessary means to enhance the ability to protect independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and peaceful leadership of each nation's people against any imperialist and international reactionary plots and actions.

(2) Important international historical events on February 18

- Michelangelo, a famous sculptor, poet, and architect, born on March 6, 1475. His renowned works include the marble statue "Pietà," the statue "Madonna and Child," the 5.5-meter "David" granite statue, the "Slaves" statues, and most notably, the magnificent fresco "The Last Judgment." He was the architect of many cathedrals, bridges, libraries, and tombs. His poetry is considered among the finest literature of the Italian Renaissance.

- February 18, 1861 – In Montgomery, Alabama, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the provisional president of the Confederate States of America.

- February 18, 1930: Pluto was discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh.

- February 18, 1932: Manchukuo declared independence from China and was recognized by Japan.

- February 18, 1942: World War II: Japanese troops began methodically targeting elements perceived as hostile within the Chinese community in Singapore.

- February 18, 2010: A group of soldiers executed a coup in Niger's capital Niamey, replacing President Mamadou Tandja with a military government.

- Global Hate Day: Some organizations call for raising awareness on tolerance and solidarity.

Note: The information is for reference only!

What is the meaning of February 18? (Image from the Internet)

During a year, what are public holidays on which teachers in Vietnam are entitled to fully paid days off?

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, teachers in Vietnam are entitled to fully paid days off on the following public holidays:

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

- Lunar New Year Holidays: 05 days;

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

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

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

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

However, if teachers wish to take off on other days, they may do so by the following methods:

(1) Paid Leave

According to Article 114 Labor Code 2019, the annual leave of an employee shall increase by 01 day for every 05 years of employment with the same employer.

(2) Accumulate leave

According to Clause 4 Article 113 of Labor Code 2019, officials and tax officials may negotiate with the employer to take leave multiple times or accumulate leave for a maximum of 03 years/once.

In case the school agrees to combine leave, teachers will receive full salary for additional leave days.

(3) Unpaid leave

Teachers can negotiate with their superiors and school to apply for unpaid leave if they have used up annual leave days or want to save leave days.

Note: Additional days off by combining leave or unpaid leave must be negotiated and approved by superiors or the current working agency; unapproved absence is considered unauthorized absence from work.

What is the current retirement age for teachers in Vietnam?

Article 169 of the Labor Code 2019 provides for the retirement age:

Retirement ages

1. An employee who has paid social insurance for an adequate period of time as prescribed by social insurance laws shall receive retirement pension when he/she reaches the retirement age.

2. Retirement ages of employees in normal working conditions shall be gradually increased to 62 for males by 2028 and 60 for females in 2035.

From 2021, the retirement ages of employees in normal working conditions shall be 60 yeas 03 months for males and 55 years 04 months for females, and shall increase by 03 months for males and 04 months for females after every year.

3. The retirement ages of employees who suffer from work capacity reduction; doing laborious, toxic or dangerous works; working in highly disadvantaged areas may be younger by up to 05 years than the retirement ages specified in Clause 2 of this Article, unless otherwise prescribed by law.

4. Retirement ages of skilled employees and employees in certain special cases may be older by up to 05 years than the retirement ages specified in Clause 2 of this Article, unless otherwise prescribed by law.

5. The Government shall elaborate this Article.

From 2021, the retirement age for employees in normal working conditions each year will increase by 03 months for men and 04 months for women.

From 2021, the retirement age for employees in normal working conditions is 60 years 03 months for men and 55 years 04 months for women.

Thus, in 2025, the retirement age for male teachers is 61 years 3 months, and for female teachers is 56 years 8 months.

Note: The 2025 retirement age above applies to employees working under normal working conditions.