Vietnam Women’s Day (Oct 20): Gifts & Dining Guide (2026)

15/10/2026

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October 20 is Vietnamese Women’s Day. It isn’t a public holiday, but it’s a day when many people mark the occasion with flowers, small gifts, and dinners out — and flower shops and restaurants tend to get busier around this time. This guide covers how it differs from International Women’s Day on March 8, how to plan a night out, and what travelers should know before visiting.

What Is Vietnamese Women’s Day?

October 20 commemorates the founding of the Vietnam Women’s Union in 1930. In Vietnam, it’s widely recognized as a day to express appreciation for women and mothers.

From a resident’s perspective, this is a day when you’ll often see flowers exchanged in offices and at home. Coworkers hand small bouquets to one another, and families take the opportunity to thank their mothers — scenes that play out across the country.

One important thing to note: October 20 is not a statutory public holiday under Vietnamese labor law. Vietnam’s 2026 public holidays consist of six categories — New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year (Tet), Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, Liberation Day/Labor Day, Independence Day, and National Day — totaling 26 days for the year. October 20 is not part of that list.

In other words, government offices and schools do not close nationwide on October 20 — it’s a cultural and social observance rather than an official day off. For travel or work planning purposes, you can treat it like any regular weekday.

How Is It Different From International Women’s Day (March 8)?

Both days celebrate women, but their origins and status differ.

International Women’s Day on March 8 (Ngày Quốc tế Phụ nữ) is known worldwide as a symbol of women’s solidarity, and in Vietnam it’s also linked to the Trung Sisters’ uprising in the year 40 CE. October 20, on the other hand, commemorates the founding of the Vietnam Women’s Union — a distinctly Vietnamese historical event.

Neither day is a statutory public holiday, and neither appears on the official holiday list. Here’s how they compare:

Item	March 8 International Women’s Day	October 20 Vietnamese Women’s Day
Local name	Ngày Quốc tế Phụ nữ	Ngày Phụ nữ Việt Nam
Origin	Global women’s solidarity movement; also commemorates the Trung Sisters’ uprising (40 CE)	Founding of the Vietnam Women’s Union in 1930
Nature	International observance	Vietnam-specific observance
Public holiday?	Not included	Not included

Source: Wikipedia: Public holidays in Vietnam, Wikipedia: Vietnamese Women’s Day

As a resident, both of these dates feel like moments when flower shops noticeably pick up business. Knowing that these two “Women’s Days” have different origins can also make for good conversation with Vietnamese coworkers and friends.

What Do People Typically Give?

There’s no strict rulebook for gifts, but many people prepare something small for the day.

Bouquets: flower shop storefronts get noticeably busier on this day
Sweets and snacks: often shared around the office
Accessories or small gifts: chosen for family members or partners
Cards and handwritten notes: a popular, low-cost way to express appreciation

If you’re a traveler or expat taking part, there’s no need to prepare anything elaborate. If you have coworkers at the office or women at your homestay, a small bouquet or box of sweets can go a long way.

On the flip side, not preparing anything isn’t considered rude — it’s simply a day when “many people do something,” rather than an obligation. The longer you stay in Vietnam, the more useful it is to understand the general feel of occasions like this.

fresh flower bouquets market stall vietnam

Are Restaurants Busy? Do You Need a Reservation?

Beyond gifting flowers, many people also celebrate with a dinner out with family or a partner.

Since it isn’t a public holiday, businesses stay open as usual — but evening time slots tend to book up quickly around this period, so it’s worth planning ahead. Popular restaurants in particular may be hard to book on short notice on the day itself.

If you haven’t decided where to go yet, it helps to check neighborhood favorites in advance. For Hanoi, see Top 10 Must-Visit Restaurants in Hanoi (2024 Edition); for Ho Chi Minh City, see Top 10 Must-Visit Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City (2024 Edition). If you’d like something a bit more special, Michelin Guide’s Best Restaurants in Vietnam 2024 and 2025’s Rising Hidden-Gem Restaurants Beyond Michelin are worth a look.

If you’re not sure where to start, VIETGOHAN’s Restaurant Finder Guide for First-Time Vietnam Travelers is a good place to begin. If you’d like a feel for the Michelin scene specifically, check out Experience Michelin Flavors in Vietnam: A VIETGOHAN Guide.

For something more casual, street food is also an option. Our roundup of local favorites is in Vietnamese Street Food: 10 Local Favorites Every Traveler Should Try.

What Should Travelers Keep in Mind?

Because October 20 isn’t a statutory public holiday, government offices, public transport, and most businesses operate normally. You shouldn’t expect any significant disruption to your travel plans.

That said, international arrivals to Vietnam have continued to climb throughout 2026. Between January and August 2026, Vietnam welcomed 15.9 million international visitors, up 14.4% year-on-year. In August alone, around 2 million visitors arrived — up 18.4% from the same month last year — putting the country at 63.6% of its annual target of 25 million.

With visitor numbers rising, restaurants and hotels in popular areas can fill up quickly. If this is your first trip to Vietnam, it’s worth reviewing the basics in 2026 Complete First-Time Vietnam Travel Guide (Prep, Packing, Tips) or First-Time Vietnam Travel Guide: Tips and Packing List.

If you’re still deciding when to visit, see When Is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam? Region-by-Region Guide. Since international arrivals are trending upward year-round, booking accommodation early is a good idea.

How to Stay Connected During Your Stay?

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Around October 20, you’ll likely find yourself looking up flower shops or restaurants on a map, or using booking apps more often. Relying solely on hotel Wi-Fi can leave you stuck without map or restaurant access once you’re out and about.

If you want reliable connectivity throughout your stay, the eSIM service Saily is one option worth considering. There’s no physical SIM card to swap, and you can set it up on your phone right after you land. Using the referral code “DOMUEH5022” at signup gets you a discount on your first purchase.

If you’re getting your travel prep in order more broadly, What to Wear in Vietnam’s Rainy Season (July-August 2026 Guide) and 2026 Complete June Vietnam Travel Guide: Rainy Season Climate & Essentials are useful companions for planning your October trip.

vietnam smartphone map street navigation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is October 20 a public holiday?

No. Since it’s not a statutory public holiday, government offices and businesses operate as usual.

Which is the “real” Women’s Day — October 20 or March 8?

Both days celebrate women; they simply have different origins. Neither takes precedence over the other.

Should travelers give a gift too?

It’s not required. If you have coworkers or friends in Vietnam, bringing flowers or sweets can be a nice gesture, but it isn’t expected of visitors.

Are hotels and restaurants harder to book during this period?

With international arrivals trending upward, it’s a good idea to book ahead in popular areas.

Does public transport change on October 20?

No changes are expected, since it’s not a statutory public holiday.

How can I get online quickly when I arrive?

An eSIM like Saily lets you get set up right after landing, so you won’t have trouble using maps or booking apps.

Summary

October 20 is Vietnamese Women’s Day, marking the founding of the Vietnam Women’s Union in 1930. It has a different origin from International Women’s Day on March 8, but neither is a statutory public holiday, so there’s no major impact on travel or daily life. Flower shops and restaurants do get busier around this time, so if you’re planning a dinner out or a gift, it’s worth preparing early. Setting up an eSIM in advance can also make getting around on the day much smoother.