Public holidays
Laos: 8 public holiday dates in 2026 (8 days off) and 8 in 2027 (8 days off), with 254 working days in 2026 and 254 in 2027. National holidays only: regional ones are not included.
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January 2026 | 2026-W01 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Sunday 8 March 2026 | 2026-W10 | International Women's Rights Day | Yes |
| Monday 9 March 2026 | 2026-W11 | International Women's Rights Day (in lieu) | Yes |
| Tuesday 14 April 2026 | 2026-W16 | Lao New Year's Day | Yes |
| Wednesday 15 April 2026 | 2026-W16 | Lao New Year's Day | Yes |
| Thursday 16 April 2026 | 2026-W16 | Lao New Year's Day | Yes |
| Friday 1 May 2026 | 2026-W18 | International Labor Day | Yes |
| Wednesday 2 December 2026 | 2026-W49 | Lao National Day | Yes |
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 1 January 2027 | 2026-W53 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Monday 8 March 2027 | 2027-W10 | International Women's Rights Day | Yes |
| Wednesday 14 April 2027 | 2027-W15 | Lao New Year's Day | Yes |
| Thursday 15 April 2027 | 2027-W15 | Lao New Year's Day | Yes |
| Friday 16 April 2027 | 2027-W15 | Lao New Year's Day | Yes |
| Saturday 1 May 2027 | 2027-W17 | International Labor Day | Yes |
| Monday 3 May 2027 | 2027-W18 | International Labor Day (in lieu) | Yes |
| Thursday 2 December 2027 | 2027-W48 | Lao National Day | Yes |
| Month | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21 | 20 | −1 |
| February | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| March | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| April | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| May | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| June | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| July | 23 | 22 | −1 |
| August | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| September | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| October | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| November | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| December | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| Q1 | 62 | 62 | 0 |
| Q2 | 61 | 61 | 0 |
| Q3 | 66 | 66 | 0 |
| Q4 | 65 | 65 | 0 |
| Year | 254 | 254 | 0 |
Weekdays by the local weekend (Sunday and Saturday), minus the public holidays most people have off.
The first day of the calendar year in the Gregorian calendar, 1 January. Cultures and religions that follow a lunisolar or lunar calendar celebrate their New Year at other points of the year. Japan celebrates New Year on 1 January, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, instead of with the Chinese calendar that was in use until 1873.
At work: Fine to mention, and a natural moment to wish colleagues well.
8 March is International Women's Day, observed in Laos.
At work: Welcome to mention. A day off.
Lao New Year (Pi Mai) is celebrated on 14–16 April and lasts three days.
At work: Very welcome to mention. Expect a break of about three days and quiet offices.
International Workers' Day, on 1 May, honours workers and the labour movement. The date was chosen to commemorate the 1886 general strike in the United States that culminated in the Haymarket affair, and the day was adopted in support of a "great international demonstration" for the eight-hour day.
At work: Fine to mention the day off. In some countries it has a political side, so keep it about the break.
2 December marks the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975, with parades and dancing at That Luang temple.
At work: Fine to mention. A day off.
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