New Year’s Day in Vanuatu
New Year’s Day is listed as a public holiday in Vanuatu’s Public Holidays Act, and the Prime Minister’s Office includes it in the government holiday calendar. The Act sets a Monday substitute when a listed holiday falls on a Sunday; it does not specify a substitute when it falls on a Saturday.[1][2]
Legal status and substitute days
The Public Holidays Act names New Year’s Day in its schedule of public holidays. It also allows the President, acting on the Prime Minister’s advice, to declare additional public holidays. The Act’s Sunday rule is specific: when a scheduled holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday is a public holiday. It provides no equivalent Saturday rule, so a Saturday New Year’s Day does not automatically create a Monday substitute under this Act.[1]
The Employment Act says employees generally cannot be required to work on a public holiday unless they voluntarily agree. It makes exceptions for certain types of work, including passenger or goods transport, public utilities, hotels, guest houses, bars and restaurants, health care, broadcasting, and some work approved by a labour officer. Whether a particular worker is required to work therefore depends on the applicable exception and employment arrangements.[3]
Shops and services
A public holiday does not by itself require every shop to close. Under the Public Holidays Act, the President may issue an order requiring stores, shops and other businesses to close throughout Vanuatu or in named places. If such an order applies, the Act exempts hotels and permits specified sales, including medicines, certain foods before noon, and refreshments for consumption where they are habitually sold. Check locally for opening hours rather than assuming that every shop or market will be closed.[1]
The Employment Act’s listed exceptions allow some transport and hospitality work to continue on a public holiday. The legislation does not give a New Year’s Day timetable for minibuses, ferries, flights, banks or individual businesses, so travellers should confirm schedules and services directly with providers.[3]
Local customs and the holiday’s meaning
The legal schedule identifies the day simply as New Year’s Day. Check with local organisers about church services, laplap feasts, music or family gatherings; those details should be confirmed locally.[1][2]
A calendar date across Vanuatu
The holiday is attached to New Year’s Day in the national statute, and the Prime Minister’s Office publishes it in its official holiday calendar.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in Vanuatu?
Yes. The Public Holidays Act lists New Year’s Day as a public holiday.[1]
Does Vanuatu add a substitute day when January 1 falls on a weekend?
The Act provides a substitute on Monday when a listed holiday falls on Sunday. It states no substitute rule for a Saturday holiday.[1]
Are shops and markets closed on New Year’s Day?
Not automatically under the Act. The President may order shops to close, and the Act describes exceptions if such an order applies. Check directly with shops and markets for their hours.[1]
Can transport and hotels operate on the holiday?
The Employment Act includes transport and hospitality among the types of work excepted from its general restriction on requiring employees to work on public holidays. It does not publish holiday operating schedules, so confirm services with providers.[3]
Sources and references
Sources used for New Year's Day in Vanuatu:
- LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU — PUBLIC HOLIDAYS [CAP. 114]- Ministry of Internal Affairs, Republic of Vanuatu
- Public Information- Prime Minister’s Office, Republic of Vanuatu
- LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU — EMPLOYMENT [CAP. 160]- Department of Labour and Employment Services, Republic of Vanuatu