International School Holidays in Asia

International Schools around the world follow different schedules. Before you apply for an international teaching job, you’ll want to find out when the terms begin so you know when you’re likely to start. Knowing when International School Holidays in Asia are is also useful for planning your own holidays throughout the year. When teaching in Asia, it’s cheap and convenient to travel to neighboring countries for exciting adventures!

These are the holiday schedules for countries in South East Asia (note that many holidays follow the lunar calendar and thus are on different dates every year and international schools holidays in Asia may differ slightly by school):

Brunei

Brunei has a year-round schedule with three terms: 1^st term – late August to early December, 2^nd term – early January to late March, 3^rd term – early April to early July. There’s also a one-week mid-term break in the 1^st and 3^rd terms.

Public holidays include:

1^st term- Hari Raya AidilAdha, 1^st day of Islamic New Year, Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday

2^nd term – Chinese New Year, National Day (23 February)

3^rd term – 1^st Day of Ramadan, Nuzul Al-Quran

Malaysia

Malaysian schools operate on a three-term year round schedule with many school holidays and public holidays: 1^st term – late August to mid-December, 2^nd term – early January to mid-March, 3^rd term – mid-April to mid July

Public holidays include:

1^st term – National Day (31 August), Awal Muharram, King’s Birthday, Malaysia Day (16 September), Deepavali, Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, as well as the Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday

2^nd term – Chinese New Year, Thaipusam

3^rd term – Labour Day (1 May), Wesak Day, Nuzul Al-Quran, Hari Raya Puasa

China

International Schools in China typically have a 191 day school year with a summer and Lunar New Year break. Classes run from September to June, with Lunar New Year falling sometime in January or February. Christmas is not a public holiday.

There’s also a one week holiday the first week of October and the first week of May. There are a few other one day public holidays throughout the year, but not all schools recognize these days as statutory holidays.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong schools run from late August to late June, with a six-week summer break, a two-week Christmas/New Year holiday and a two-week spring break in April. There’s also a one-week holiday in early October and another one-week holiday for Chinese New Year (January/February).

Indonesia

Indonesia has a 4-term schedule from August to June, with 188 days of school: 1^st term – early August to mid-October, 2^nd term – late October to mid December, 3^rd term – early January to mid-March, 4^th term –late March to mid-June

Public holidays include:

1^st term – Idul Adha, Independence Day (17 August), Islamic New Year

2^nd term – Prophet’s Birthday

3^rd term – Chinese New Year

4^th term – Good Friday, 1^st Day Ramadan, Labour Day (1 May), Wesak Day, Pancasila Day

Vietnam

International schools in Vietnam follow a three-term schedule from late August to mid June: 1^st term—late August to mid-December, 2^nd term—early January to late March, 3^rd term—early April to mid-June. There’s about a 9-week summer break plus Christmas/New Year as well as spring breaks between terms.

Public holidays include:

1^st term – National Day (2 September)

2^nd term – Tet Holiday (5 days)

3^rd term – Public holiday 30 April, Reunification Day (1 May)

Cambodia

In Cambodia, international schools follow a 180 day school year from August to June:  1^st semester—early August to mid-December, 2^nd semester—early January to early June.  In addition there’s a three-week Christmas/New Year break.

Public holidays include:

1^st semester – Pchum Ben Holiday (one week, September/October), Commemoration Day (15 October), King’s Coronation Day (29 October), Water Festival Holiday (3 days, October/November)

2^nd semester – Khmer New Year (one week, April), Remembrance Day (20 May)

Thailand

In Thailand, international schools follow a three-term schedule from mid August to late June: 1^st term – mid-August to mid-December, 2^nd term – early January to early April, 3^rd term – mid April to late June. There’s a three-week Christmas/New Year break and also a one week break in April for Songkran, as well as one-week half-term breaks in October and February.

Public holidays include:

1^st term – King Rama IX Memorial Day (13 October), Loy Kratong Day (November), King Rama IX Birthday(Father’s Day) (5 December), in addition to Constitution Day (10 December)

2^nd term – Chinese New Year (January/February), 8th Makha Bucha Day (February/March)

3^rd term – King Rama I Memorial(Chakri Day) Public Holiday (6 April), Labour Day (1 May), Wesak Day (May), HRH Her Royal Highness Queen Suthida’s Birthday (3 June)

Philippines

Schools in the Philippines follow a 180 day school year from August to June:  1^st semester – mid-August to mid-December, 2^nd semester – early January to early June.  There’s a three-week Christmas/New Year break in addition to one-week mid-semester breaks in October and April.

Public holidays include:

1^st semester – Ninoy Aquino Day (21 August), National Heroes Day (26 August),

2^nd semester – Labour Day (1 May)

Remember International School holidays in Asia will be slightly different from school to school, country to country. Often International Schools determine their school calendar and holidays by blending the holidays commonly offered in a Western curriculum school with the holidays most often celebrated locally. Resulting in lots of varied and exciting holidays to celebrate! In other words teachers reap the rewards of this blended approach to international school holidays in Asia.

Make the move to international teaching in Asia and start planning amazing holidays right away!

Are you ready to apply for an international teaching job? Look HERE or email teachers@byronrecruitment.com.