Christmas in the Workplace: How Vietnam Companies Celebrate Inclusively

GeneralDecember 14, 2025 20:32

Vietnamese employees celebrating Christmas at the office with festive decorations and cross-cultural team activities promoting inclusion.

Christmas in the Workplace: How Vietnam Companies Celebrate Inclusively

This article is written in English for readers in Vietnam. Vietnamese and Japanese translations are available on our website. 

Christmas in Vietnam is no longer just a Western tradition — it has become a joyful cultural moment that bridges global business values and local community spirit. From multinational corporations in Ho Chi Minh City to Vietnamese SMEs expanding regionally, companies are embracing Christmas as a time for team bonding, gratitude, and inclusion.

Here’s how Vietnamese workplaces are turning December into a month of meaningful celebration — without losing professionalism or cultural sensitivity.

1. Why Christmas Matters in Vietnam’s Modern Work Culture

While Christmas isn’t an official public holiday in Vietnam, it is widely celebrated across workplaces and cities. Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Saigon’s District 1 sparkle with lights and carols, and HR departments use this festive mood to boost morale.

According to Reeracoen’s 2025 Workforce Whitepaper, 68% of professionals in Vietnam say “celebrations and cultural appreciation events” improve their engagement and loyalty at work.

Christmas provides an opportunity for leaders to foster belonging — especially in diverse teams with both local and foreign employees.

📘 Related Reading: [10 Habits That Cause Workplace Friction – and How to Fix Them]

2. Inclusive Festivity: Blending Global and Local Values

Vietnamese workplaces increasingly adopt a cross-cultural approach to celebrations:

🎁 Gift exchanges featuring both Western-style Secret Santa and Vietnamese tokens of luck.

🌸 Charity drives for local orphanages or rural schools — merging global goodwill with local compassion.

☕ Team lunches or potlucks featuring both bánh chưng and Christmas cookies.

Multinational firms like Unilever, Shopee, and Aeon Vietnam have embraced hybrid celebrations that honour both Christmas and Vietnamese year-end traditions.

3. CSR and Giving Back: The Spirit of Shared Joy

Christmas has also become a CSR focal point for companies in Vietnam.

In 2024, several firms launched “Giving Month” campaigns — encouraging employees to volunteer, donate used clothes, or sponsor education programs for underprivileged children.

A study by VCCI (Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry) shows that 71% of Vietnam-based corporations now include social impact programs during festive seasons.

📘 Related Reading: [Why 2026 Is Vietnam’s Year of Green Transformation]

4. Diversity and Inclusion in Practice

For HR leaders, Christmas is a great time to model inclusivity:

  • Recognise employees who don’t celebrate Christmas and invite them to share their own year-end traditions.

  • Avoid mandatory participation — opt for open, voluntary events.

  • Use decorations and greetings that highlight unity, not religious bias (“Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings”).

Such inclusive gestures build psychological safety and trust, especially in multicultural or bilingual workplaces.

5. Mindful Festivities: Avoiding Burnout and Overload

Amid parties and targets, December can also be emotionally exhausting. HR teams in Vietnam are learning to balance celebration with care.

Encourage teams to:

  • Limit after-hours events near year-end crunch time.

  • Replace gift stress with donation drives.

  • Offer mental wellness breaks — e.g., flexible hours or early office closures.

📘 Related Reading: [Calm Work – How to Beat Year-End Burnout]

6. Planning Ahead: Building Culture Through Celebration

Christmas doesn’t have to end on December 25. Smart HR leaders use this momentum to prepare for Tet celebrations, performance reflections, and 2026 goal alignment.

By connecting festive joy with professional gratitude, companies can reinforce loyalty and renew purpose before the new year begins.

🔍 FAQ

Q1. Should companies in Vietnam give Christmas bonuses?

While not mandatory, symbolic bonuses or small gifts show appreciation and improve morale.

Q2. How do multinational teams celebrate inclusively?

By blending global customs with Vietnamese traditions — such as potluck lunches, bilingual greetings, or CSR projects.

Q3. Is Christmas a public holiday in Vietnam?

No, but most offices allow early closure or flexible schedules on December 24–25.

Q4. What’s the best HR strategy for year-end celebrations?

Focus on gratitude, inclusion, and balance — not extravagance.

👩‍💼 For Jobseekers: [Submit Your CV — Join companies that celebrate inclusively and value work-life harmony.] <Insert Link>

💼 For Employers: [Book a Consultation — Build stronger, happier teams with inclusive HR programs.] <Insert Link>

✅ Final Author Credit

  • By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager)

  • For Vietnamese translations, add: Translated by Nguyen Le (Anna) (Senior Marketing Executive)

  • Published by Reeracoen Vietnam — a leading recruitment agency in APAC.

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📚 References


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