Why Vietnamese Workers Struggle to Use Their Annual Leave

Many Vietnamese workers skip their paid holidays, even though the law guarantees 12‑13 days a year. Understanding why they stay glued to work phones helps reveal deeper workplace pressures.

Marketing employee Thuc Anh, 26, works in Ho Chi Minh City and has not used any of her 12 days of annual leave. She says incoming work calls and the threat of a bonus cut make her avoid time off.

IT specialist Chi Hung, 30, in Hanoi also rarely takes his 13 days of leave. His manager says the department is understaffed and that handling a request by phone takes only a few minutes, yet each task actually lasts from 30 minutes to half a day.

According to Prof. Dr. Andreas Stoffers, a competitive work environment, fear of losing a job and measuring commitment by physical presence push employees to stay online. He adds that East Asian workplace culture reinforces this habit.

Recruitment expert Pham Tuan Phuc notes that heavy workloads and a shortage of staff make employees fear taking leave. The fear is that work will pile up and their performance will be judged negatively.

Lawmakers such as Nguyen Thi Viet Nga are proposing a “right to disconnect” amendment to the Labor Code, recognising that some sectors need special rules. The amendment could give workers legal support to switch off during holidays.

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