Talenox As we approach 2023 you may want to start plan your Annual Leave in tandem with each Hong Kong Public Holiday. With some creative preparation, you can even strategise for longer breaks!
In fact, planning your leave early is a great way to gauge how much work you need to clear before each break. So, let’s dive into the complete list of Hong Kong Public Holidays 2023, and how you can maximise your time-off in advance.
1) Take note of the dates for each Hong Kong Public Holiday and its Off-in-Lieu
If you’re not sure where to begin, fret not! We’ve got just the cheat sheet for you. Simply bookmark this article and start taking notes.
Be quick about it, as you may want to beat your colleagues in reserving Annual Leave as soon as possible!
Hong Kong Public Holidays 2023
As the New Year’s Day (1st January) and National Day (1st October) in 2023 both fall on a Sunday, the Monday following them will be the off-in-lieu, i.e. general holiday in substitution. And since Lunar New Year’s Day (22nd January) falls on a Sunday, the fourth day of Lunar New Year will be the off-in-lieu, i.e. general holiday in substitution.
| Public Holiday | Date | Day |
| New Year’s Day off-in-lieu | 2 January | Monday |
| Chinese New Year (2nd day) | 23 January | Monday |
| Chinese New Year (3rd day) | 24 January | Tuesday |
| Chinese New Year (1st day off-in-lieu) | 25 January | Wednesday |
| Ching Ming Festival | 5 April | Wednesday |
| Good Friday | 7 April | Friday |
| Good Friday off-in-lieu | 8 April | Saturday |
| Easter Monday | 10 April | Monday |
| Labour Day | 1 May | Monday |
| The Birthday of the Buddha | 26 May | Friday |
| Tuen Ng Festival | 22 June | Thursday |
| Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Establishment Day | 1 July | Saturday |
| Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival off-in-lieu | 30 September | Saturday |
| National Day off-in-lieu | 2 October | Monday |
| Chung Yeung Festival | 23 October | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Monday |
| The first weekday after Christmas Day | 26 December | Tuesday |
2) Get familiar with leave entitlements in compliance with Hong Kong’s Employment Ordinance
With the right HR system, you don’t have to manually keep track of your Hong Kong Public Holiday off-in-lieu leave entitlements. Talenox takes care of it all with a built-in calendar of Hong Kong’s statutory holidays and statutory leave entitlements that adhere to the Employment Act.
3) Maximise your long weekends further for 2023 (month-by-month breakdown)
Jan 2023: 3-day long weekend with New Year’s Day, and 9-day vacation with Chinese New Year
Hong Kong Public Holiday Date(s):
- Sunday, 1 Jan 2023 (New Year)
- Monday, 2 Jan 2023 (New Year off-in-lieu)
- Sunday, 22 Jan 2023 (Chinese New Year Day 1)
- Monday, 23 Jan 2023 (Chinese New Year Day 2)
- Tuesday, 24 Jan 2023 (Chinese New Year Day 3)
- Wednesday, 25 Jan 2023 (Chinese New Year Day 1 off-in-lieu)
Annual Leave Date(s):
- Thursday, 26 Jan 2023
- Friday, 27 Jan 2023
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | – | – | 30 Dec | 1 Jan (PH) |
| 2 Jan (OIL) | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| – | – | – | – | – | 21 Jan | 22 Jan (PH) |
| 23 Jan (PH) | 24 Jan (PH) | 25 Jan (PH) | 26 Jan (AL) | 27 Jan (AL) | 28 Jan | 29 Jan |
Best places to visit in January
But where can you go from 21st to 29th January that’s unaffected by Chinese New Year? If you ask me, the best place to visit is snowy Norway!
Aside from dreamy sunrises and sunsets, you’ll have a high chance of seeing the Norwegian Northern Lights – a neon phenomenon at its most crystal clear against dark, clear winter night skies.
However, if you prefer a sunny holiday, Maldives would be at beginning of the dry, sunny season (26°C and 31°C), which is the best time to go weather-wise. This can definitely be a romantic vacation for couples.
After a tropical rainy season spanning from May to November, January would be the best time to soak up the sun and enjoy the clearest skies!
Apr 2023: 10-day holiday break with Ching Ming Festival, Good Friday
Hong Kong Public Holiday Date(s):
- Wednesday, 5 Apr 2023 (Ching Ming Festival)
- Friday, 7 Apr 2023 (Good Friday)
- Monday, 10 Apr 2023 (Easter Monday)
Annual Leave Date(s):
- Monday, 3 Apr 2023
- Tuesday, 4 Apr 2023
- Thursday, 6 Apr 2023
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | – | – | 1 Apr | 2 Apr |
| 3 Apr (AL) | 4 Apr (AL) | 5 Apr (PH) | 6 Apr (AL) | 7 Apr (PH) | 8 Apr (OIL) | 9 Apr |
| 10 Apr (PH) | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Best places to visit in April
From 1st to 10th April, you’ll be able to enjoy gondola rides and feasting on authentic pasta al fresco. April is a great month to visit the historic Italian city of Venice.
The weather is comfortable, with spring temperatures starting to emerge and less humidity than in the summer months.
The tourist crowds only filters in from May onwards; so, enjoy fewer crowds as you explore St. Mark’s Square and St. Mark’s Basilica. Why not arrange a self-guided audio tour using handy apps like Urbs?
With 9 days to spare, you can even consider trips out to other parts of Italy like Florence, Rome and more!
If you’re just looking for a vacation that brings you away from the city and closer to nature, Bali is an option.
April marks the start of Bali’s dry season, which usually lasts through October, so it is a great time to experience the beaches and outdoor activities that the island is known for.
However, do note that April is a popular time for tourists heading to Bali. You will find yourself paying a premium for accommodations and airfare.
To combat this, you may want to apply for leave and book your flight tickets & accommodation far in advance.
May 2023: Long weekend with Labour Day and a 9-day holiday break with Buddha’s Birthday
Hong Kong Public Holiday Date(s):
- Monday, 1 May 2023 (Labour Day)
- Friday, 26 May 2023 (Buddha’s Birthday)
Annual Leave Date(s):
- Monday, 22 May2023
- Tuesday, 23 May 2023
- Wednesday, 24 May 2023
- Thursday, 25 May 2023
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | – | – | 29 Apr | 30 Apr |
| 1 May (PH) | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| – | – | – | – | – | 20 May | 21 May |
| 22 May (AL) | 23 May (AL) | 24 May (AL) | 25 May (AL) | 26 May (PH) | 27 May | 28 May |
Best places to visit in May
Cebu, Philiphines would be a refreshingly unique weekend getaway (29th April to 1st May) from the typical visits to Macau and Taiwan. Only a three-hour flight from Hong Kong, Cebu is best visited in May as the region is still in its dry / non-rainy season.
You can always relax in one of the many resorts, and enjoy the surf and sun. Throw in a boat tour around the region before you get back to your desk on Tuesday morning.
If you want a 9-day break (i.e. 20th to w8th April), consider Greece. Some of the most well-known Greek regions – like Athens and Santorini – are best experienced in May.
Queues to popular tourist attractions will be shorter, which means less hours for each attraction on your itinerary. There are also many fun flower festivals in Greece in May, like the famous Rhodian Flower Festival.
May does come with a slight risk of occasional drizzle but the trade-off is worth it!
Jun 2023: 9-day holiday with Tuen Ng Festival
Hong Kong Public Holiday Date(s):
- Thursday, 22 Jun 2023 (Tuen Ng Festival)
Annual Leave Date(s):
- Monday, 19 Jun 2023
- Tuesday, 20 Jun 2023
- Wednesday, 21 Jun 2023
- Friday 23 Jun 2023
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | – | – | 17 Jun | 18 Jun |
| 19 Jun (AL) | 20 Jun (AL) | 21 Jun (AL) | 22 Jun (PH) | 23 Jun (AL) | 24 Jun | 25 Jun |
Best places to visit in June
Enjoy a 9-day adventure in Turkey from 17th to 25th June!
One part of Turkey you can consider exploring is Cappadocia. Cappadocia in June is the best summer time for dramatic sunrises and hot air balloons in the morning.
You can even consider a pitstop in Istanbul on the way from Hong Kong to Cappadocia. That is where you can visit iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
And why not throw in a visit to Pamukkale to view it’s breathtaking “cotton castle”?
Oct 2023: 9-day holiday with the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, and a 3-day weekend with Chung Yeung Festival
Hong Kong Public Holiday Date(s):
- Saturday, 30 Sep 2023 (Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival off-in-lieu)
- Monday, 2 Oct 2023 (National Day off-in-lieu)
Annual Leave Date(s):
- Tuesday, 3 Oct 2023
- Wednesday, 4 Oct 2023
- Thursday, 5 Oct 2023
- Friday, 6 Oct 2023
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | – | – | 30 Sep (OIL) | 1 Oct |
| 2 Oct (OIL) | 3 Oct (AL) | 4 Oct (AL) | 5 Oct (AL) | 6 Oct (AL) | 7 Oct | 8 Oct |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| – | – | – | – | – | 21 Oct | 22 Oct |
| 23 Oct (PH) | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Best places to visit in October
The September and October months are an excellent time to visit the Amalfi Coast.
The weather is a bit cooler than in the height of summer making it much more pleasant and relaxing. Additionally, fewer Italians visit and most services are still open.
You and your friends will want to relax on beautiful beaches, escape the crowd on private boats and kayak the stark blue waters!
Flying to Vietnam over the long weekend (21st to 23rd October) for the coffee and banh mi is the best! Central Vietnam remains hot and dry with rare light showers expected in October.
You can choose to explore Da Nang‘s iconic Golden Hand Bridge, Marble Mountains, caves and shrines! Other regions can include Ho Chi Minh or Saigon.
Dec 2023
Hong Kong Public Holiday Date(s):
- Monday, 25 Dec 2023 (Christmas)
- Tuesday, 26 Dec 2023 (The weekday after Christmas)
Annual Leave Date(s):
- Wednesday, 27 Dec 2023
- Thursday, 28 Dec 2023
- Friday, 29 Dec 2023
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | – | – | 23 Dec | 24 Dec |
| 25 Dec (PH) | 26 Dec (PH) | 27 Dec (AL) | 28 Dec (AL) | 29 Dec (AL) | 30 Dec | 1 Jan |
Best places to visit in December
If you are wondering when is the best time to visit Hokkaido, Japan for a snowy Christmas, it’s December! Spend 23rd to 31st December skiing and snowboarding in Furano and Sapporo, with Hokkaido as your base. It will get as cold as 3°C, so heading to the onsen at the end of an active day would be perfect. Don’t forget to feast on the freshest seafood that Hokkaido is known for!
Bangkok, Thailand is also a great place to visit as the rainy season wraps up in November.
Aside from great Thai food, try visiting one of Bangkok’s multiple floating markets to be in the bustling atmosphere and enjoy a unique souvenir shopping experience!
We’ve built-in location-specific holidays into the Talenox system. Now, Talenox users can:
- Find out at a glance who’s on vacation and who’s at work
- Submit and approve time-off in a few clicks
- Sync the team’s leave calendar to a Google Calendar
- Create custom holidays
Watch how Talenox makes company leave policy set-up and employee time-off management so easy!
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