Jour de l'Unité in Vanuatu

Official date and status

The Vanuatu government’s holiday list identifies 29 November as Unity Day, or Fête de l’Unité, and classifies it as a national holiday. The Prime Minister’s Office uses the name National Unity Day in its official calendar.[1][4]

The Public Holidays Act provides that scheduled days are public holidays and allows the President, acting on the Prime Minister’s advice, to declare additional holidays. Its Sunday rule moves a listed holiday to the following Monday; if Family Day falls on a Monday, the following day is also a holiday.[2]

What the name tells us

The holiday is called Jour de l’Unité. Check with local organisers for information about ceremonies, school activities, regional customs or traditional meals.

Work and business on the holiday

Under Vanuatu’s Employment Act, employees generally cannot be required to work on a public holiday unless they agree voluntarily. The Act makes exceptions for certain services and businesses, including passenger and goods transport, utilities, hotels, restaurants, health care, and broadcasting; eligible employees working under those exceptions are entitled to equivalent time off on another day.[3]

A public holiday does not automatically require every shop to close. The Public Holidays Act gives the President power to order shops and other businesses to close in all or specified parts of Vanuatu. It also provides exceptions for medicines, certain fresh foods sold by noon, and refreshments for consumption on the premises.[2]

Practical planning

Visitors should check directly with the businesses and services they plan to use, especially before arranging inter-island travel.[1][4]