Vietnam: Why is December called "Tháng Chạp"? How many days off are primary school students entitled to for holidays in December?

Why is December called "Tháng Chạp"?

December is referred to as "Tháng Chạp" in Vietnamese, a name deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions and culture of the Vietnamese people. According to the lunar calendar, December is the last month of the year, marking the completion of the harvest season and the onset of the cold winter. The term "Chạp" originates from the Chinese character "Chạp," meaning end or final. This name reflects the conclusion of a cycle while evoking a sense of anticipation for new beginnings in the coming year.

"Tháng Chạp" is a month of preparation for the Lunar New Year, an important festival in Vietnamese culture. During this time, people typically engage in year-end activities such as cleaning their homes, shopping for the New Year, and performing ancestral worship ceremonies. It is a time for families to gather and be together. Therefore, "Tháng Chạp" carries a special meaning—it is not only the end of the year but also a time for preparation and welcoming a new year full of hope.

Students are invited to refer to the following information to understand why December is called "Tháng Chạp."

*Note: Information on why December is called "Tháng Chạp" is for reference only./.

Why is December called "Tháng Chạp"? How many days off are primary school students in Vietnam entitled to for holidays in December? (Image from the Internet)

How many days off are primary school students in Vietnam entitled to for holidays in December?

According to Article 112 of the Labor Code 2019, teachers and students are entitled to public holidays as follows:

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).

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Thus, December does not have any major holidays on which primary school students are entitled to days off according to legal regulations. However, in practice, according to school rules, primary school students may only have weekly breaks with no scheduled classes.

What is the role of teachers in the educational system of Vietnam?

Under Article 66 of the Education Law 2019 which stipulates the position and role of teachers in the educational system in Vietnam:

- Teachers are persons who carry out teaching and educating at educational institutions, except for educational institutions prescribed in point c clause 1 Article 65 of Education Law 2019.

Teachers working at institutions of preschool education, general education and other educational institutions or teaching elementary-level, and intermediate-level are called teachers; teachers of colleges and higher qualifications are called lecturers.

- Teachers play a decisive role in ensuring education quality, hold an important position in society and are honored by society.