DOMESTIC NEWS
1. After the September 2 National Day holiday, workers may have an additional 4 consecutive days off
Article 2 of Resolution No. 28/2026/QH16 of the National Assembly on the development of Vietnamese culture designates November 24 annually as Vietnam Culture Day. On this day, workers are entitled to a day off with full pay.
According to the above regulation, the number of official days off for workers during Vietnam Culture Day 2026 is 1 day, on Tuesday, November 24, 2026. This is the first year this holiday has been established, and workers receive full pay.
Previously, in a document seeking opinions from 13 relevant ministries and sectors regarding the holiday for Vietnam Culture Day, the 2027 Lunar New Year, and the September 2, 2027 National Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs proposed 2 options related to Vietnam Culture Day.
For officials and public employees, the Ministry of Home Affairs proposed 2 options:
Option 1: Take Vietnam Culture Day off on Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
Swap the working day of Monday, November 23, 2026 to the weekly day off on Saturday, November 28, 2026.
Thus, for the Vietnam Culture Day 2026 holiday, officials and public employees will have 4 consecutive days off, from Saturday, November 21, 2026 to the end of Tuesday, November 24, 2026, and will work a compensatory day on Saturday, November 28, 2026.
Option 2: Take Vietnam Culture Day off on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, without swapping working days.
The Ministry of Home Affairs proposed selecting Option 1. The Ministry explained that arranging a 4-day consecutive holiday creates favorable conditions for officials and public employees to participate in cultural activities, contributing to promoting the significance of Vietnam Culture Day; at the same time, it facilitates the organization of cultural, tourism, and service activities and boosts consumer demand. The option only swaps 1 working day and still ensures full working time as required.
For workers, the Ministry proposed that workers be allowed to take a day off with full pay on Tuesday, November 24, 2026 as per regulations.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. South Korea strives to restore the escalator manufacturing industry
Since the 2000s, cheap imported escalators from China began pushing products manufactured in South Korea out of the market. In 2014, the last domestic escalator manufacturer stopped production in South Korea.
The loss of domestic manufacturing capacity has brought concerns about safety. Small businesses import Chinese escalators for installation, but when equipment breaks down, replacement parts are often very difficult to find.
Faced with this concern, several elevator, escalator, and moving walkway businesses in South Korea jointly established a joint venture called K-Escalator specializing in escalator manufacturing in 2024 in Geochang County, South Gyeongsang Province.
K-Escalator achieved revenue of approximately 4.504 billion won in 2025, up from 15.4 million won in 2024. The business still recorded an operating loss of about 90 million won and a net loss of 151 million won.
The joint venture was established to restore domestic escalator manufacturing capacity, develop a component supply chain, and tap into demand for replacing old equipment.
>>> Details: Concerns over Chinese components, South Korea strives to restore the escalator industry
2. Otis appoints Managing Director for Southeast Asia
According to an announcement from Otis Corporation, Mr. Sridhar Rajagopal has been appointed Managing Director for Southeast Asia effective September 1, 2026, responsible for growth strategy and customer relations.
He has more than 15 years of experience at Otis, having held leadership positions in mergers and acquisitions, sales, marketing, and strategy in India, Japan, and Singapore; most recently as Vice President in charge of sales and marketing for Otis Asia-Pacific.
3. Thailand: Man dies after falling at escalator
A man aged approximately 30–40 died after falling in an escalator area in a shopping mall near the Asok intersection, Bangkok. Lumpini police and emergency responders received the notification at approximately 9:48 PM; the victim was found unconscious, seriously injured, and was later confirmed dead.
4. Worker seriously injured after falling down elevator shaft from the third floor
A 33-year-old worker fell from a height of about three stories down an elevator shaft at a construction site on Triq il-Farkizzan street, Mosta. Civil protection forces brought the victim out and transferred him to Mater Dei Hospital in serious condition.
The police, the Malta Occupational Safety and Health Authority, and the Building Authority are investigating; a magistrate has also opened a judicial inquiry. There has been no conclusion regarding elevator shaft protection measures, fall prevention equipment, or the responsibility of the parties involved.
