Lunar New Year is a public holiday in multiple East and Southeast Asian countries and regions, including China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, with schools, most businesses, and government offices typically closed. In other countries where Lunar New Year is celebrated by ethnic communities—such as parts of Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and diaspora neighborhoods abroad—it may be a restricted holiday for some employers or observed culturally without a day off. Whether an employee receives pay, must work, or can use leave depends on national law, regional rules, and individual company policy. The following sections clarify legal status, observance patterns, and practical steps for workers and employers.
Legal holiday status by country and region
National laws determine whether Lunar New Year is an official public holiday with a paid day off, a restricted holiday that requires agreement, or a culturally observed period with no statutory entitlement. Some countries treat it as a nationwide closure, while others recognize it only where there is a significant local population, or only within certain sectors.
China
In China, Lunar New Year is a nationwide public holiday. Government offices, banks, schools, and most businesses close for several days. Travel peaks, service adjustments, and special cultural programming are common.
Vietnam
Vietnam observes Tết Nguyên Đán as a major public holiday. Closures are extensive, and the period surrounding Tết is widely treated as an annual shutdown across public and private sectors.
Korea
Both North and South Korea recognize Seollal (Lunar New Year) as a public holiday. South Korea has three designated days, with additional days created by moving holidays to create a longer break when necessary.
Singapore
Singapore designates Lunar New Year as a public holiday. Schools and state-connected organizations typically close, and private employers often align with this schedule, though arrangements can vary.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, Lunar New Year is a national public holiday for the states with large Chinese communities and is observed nationwide, usually with one day of closure and related festivities.
Indonesia
Indonesia recognizes Lunar New Year as Imlek, a restricted holiday in some provinces. Central government offices may remain open, but many local administrations and companies choose to close or adjust hours.
Philippines
Lunar New Year (春节) is not a nationwide public holiday in the Philippines but is a special non-working day for Chinese-owned and many private enterprises when the date falls on a regular working day. Government offices typically remain open unless a local proclamation applies.
Other regions and contexts
In regions without nationwide legal status, observance is patchy. Some employers grant swaps or unpaid leave at their discretion, while others remain fully operational. Diaspora communities may host cultural events and school closures without altering public sector calendars.
How employers commonly handle Lunar New Year
Practical outcomes for workers depend on a mix of law, sector norms, and internal policy. In many offices, Lunar New Year triggers an annual shutdown or staggered leave schedules. In others, only employees covered by collective agreements or regional provisions receive a paid day off.
Typical scenarios
- Public sector: Generally closed or operate with reduced staffing; often formally closed by regulation.
- Large enterprises: Frequently align with national calendars, especially in finance, manufacturing, and retail where logistics and travel are affected.
- Small and informal businesses: May remain open or close at the owner’s discretion, with staff arrangements negotiated individually.
- Multinational subsidiaries: Often follow global or regional policy, which may differ from local statutory practice.
Practical implications for employees
If Lunar New Year falls during your work period, check your local law for whether it is a paid public holiday, consult your employee handbook or contract for holiday provisions, and confirm any required shift swaps or notice timelines. If it is not a statutory holiday, you may still negotiate leave, request a shift exchange, or participate in cultural observances outside work hours.
Practical implications for employers
Employers should review national and regional legislation, communicate closure or operational plans in advance, align payroll and scheduling systems, and ensure coverage for essential services. Clear policies help avoid confusion and support staff who wish to observe the holiday while maintaining business continuity.
Notable details and common patterns
Lunar New Year is a moving date in the Gregorian calendar, occurring between January 21 and February 20 depending on the year. Observance length and intensity can vary: some workplaces close for an entire week, others for a single day, and some remain open with limited service. The holiday often coincides with travel peaks, seasonal demand shifts, and special cultural programming.
Summary comparison of holiday status
| Region or context | Holiday status | Typical coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | Statutory public holiday | Nationwide closure | Several days around the date; travel and service impacts |
| Vietnam | Statutory public holiday | Nationwide closure | Tết period commonly treated as an extended shutdown |
| Korea (South and North) | Statutory public holiday | Nationwide closure | South Korea may add days to create a long weekend |
| Singapore | Statutory public holiday | Schools and many employers closed | Private arrangements may vary |
| Malaysia | National public holiday in many states; observed nationwide | Often one day closed | Widespread recognition across sectors |
| Indonesia | Restricted holiday in some provinces | Variable: some offices closed | Central government may remain open locally |
| Philippines | Not a nationwide public holiday | Varies by employer; many private firms grant the day | Special non-working day where applicable |
| Diaspora regions | No universal statutory status | Varies by employer and local community practice | Cultural observance without guaranteed paid time off |
Key terms
- Lunar New Year: Also called Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, it follows the lunisolar Chinese calendar and occurs on the second new moon after the winter solstice.
- Tết: The Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration, often extending into a long festive shutdown.
- Seollal: The Korean Lunar New Year, with specific traditional foods, rituals, and family visits.
- Imlek: The Indonesian name for Lunar New Year, sometimes treated as a restricted holiday.
- Special non-working day: A day recognized in law where work is not required but employers are not mandated to pay for absence.
When in doubt: steps to confirm your status
- Check national and regional labor law resources or government portals for definitive holiday lists.
- Review your employment contract, collective agreement, or employee handbook for holiday provisions.
- Ask HR or management for written confirmation of closure, pay status, and any required notice for swaps.
- Plan travel and coverage early if you require time off around Lunar New Year.