Vietnam: Is it true that students in Ho Chi Minh city are expected to have 9 days off for Lunar New Year 2025?

Is it true that students in Ho Chi Minh city are expected to have 9 days off for Lunar New Year 2025?

Per the academic year plan 2024 - 2025 for preschool, general education, and continuing education in Ho Chi Minh City, issued with Decision 3089/QD-UBND in 2024, the following provisions are established:

- Public holidays governed by the Labor Code 2019 that coincide with weekends will be compensated by a day off on the following working day. School principals are tasked with crafting appropriate educational plans for their institutions in compliance with regulations.

- Anticipated high school graduation exam dates for 2025: expected on June 26 and 27, 2025.

- The proposed Lunar New Year holiday schedule starts from January 25, 2025 (26th day of the lunar calendar) and ends on February 2, 2025 (5th day of the lunar calendar).

The 2025 Lunar New Year holiday schedule for students in Ho Chi Minh city may commence on January 25, 2025 (26th day of the lunar calendar) and conclude on February 2, 2025 (5th day of the lunar calendar).

The anticipated Lunar New Year holiday 2025 for students in Ho Chi Minh city extends over 9 days.

Is it true that students in Ho Chi Minh city are expected to have 9 days off for Lunar New Year 2025? (Internet image)

What is the academic year 2024-2025 timeline for students in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam?

According to the academic year plan 2024 - 2025 for preschool, general education, and continuing education in Ho Chi Minh City, issued with Decision 3089/QD-UBND in 2024, the timeframe for the 2024-2025 academic year for students in Ho Chi Minh city is as follows:

- The start date for students of all levels is Monday, August 26, 2024. First-grade students will start on August 19, 2024.

- Schools will simultaneously hold the new school year opening ceremony on September 5, 2024, ensuring 18 weeks of actual study in the first semester and 17 weeks in the second semester.

- The school year concludes for students before May 31, 2024.

- Completion of the primary education program and middle school graduation evaluation will be conducted before June 30, 2025.

- Admission to grades 1, 6, and 10 for the academic year 2025-2026 will be finalized before July 31, 2025.

What are the initial fees for students for School year 2024-2025​?

Initial fees for students in the academic year 2024-2025 include the following:

(1) Tuition fees: To be determined according to the provisions of Decree 81/2021/ND-CP issued by the Government of Vietnam.

According to Clause 2, Article 3 of Decree 81/2021/ND-CP, tuition fees are the amount that students must pay to cover part or all of the costs of educational services and training.

Provincial-level People's Committees shall propose the specific tuition fee rates to Provincial People's Councils, but they will not exceed the set ceiling.

Provincial-level People's Councils shall determine the specific tuition fee rates annually according to the actual conditions of each locality, as stipulated in Article 9 of Decree 81/2021/ND-CP.

(2) Health insurance:

According to Article 7 of Decree 146/2018/ND-CP, the health insurance contribution for students is 4.5% multiplied by the statutory pay rate and the number of months corresponding to the validity period of the health insurance card (the current statutory pay rate is VND 2,340,000).

As stipulated in Article 8 of Decree 146/2018/ND-CP, students are eligible for a minimum support of 30% of the health insurance contribution.

The annual health insurance payment = 4.5% x 2,340,000 x 12 x maximum 70%.

Thus, the maximum annual health insurance payment for students of all levels is VND 884,520.

(3) Uniforms, sportswear, and badges:

Based on Article 9 of Circular 26/2009/TT-BGDDT, the cost for tailoring, purchasing, renting, and borrowing uniforms and dresses is sourced from regular expenditure funds of the school, student contributions, or other lawful revenues, which must be openly disclosed.

The costs for uniforms, sportswear, and badges are included in school fees at the beginning of the school year, with the rates set according to each school's regulations.

(4) Other fees

Fees mutually agreed upon between schools and parents in each locality or collected according to the resolutions of the respective provincial/municipal People's Councils are as follow:

- Meals, daycare services, and equipment for daycare;- Full-day schooling;- Class funds;- Learning materials for preschool children;- Drinking water for students;- Additional tutoring within the school...

(5) Sponsorship (VOLUNTARY)

Pursuant to Articles 2 and 3 of Circular 16/2018/TT-BGDĐT, educational institutions are allowed to mobilize and receive sponsorship for the following purposes:

- Procuring equipment and tools for teaching and learning; equipment for scientific research; refurbishing, repairing, and constructing facilities for educational activities at the institution;- Supporting educational, training, and scientific research activities within the institution.

The mobilization, receipt, management, and usage of sponsorship funds must be publicly disclosed and posted at the sponsored educational institution and must comply with existing legal regulations.