The plan aims to attract people with special talents in the fields of science & technology, policymaking, urban infrastructure development, public services, culture & arts, and sports.

Under the plan, the city would offer initial support of VND50 million and pay of VND20-30 million a month to cover living expenses.

In addition, the city would give a bonus to encourage talents’ creativity. The value of awards for products and works would be no less than VND50 million per person and VND1 billion at maximum per work. As for the teams of many members, the figures would be VND30 million and VND1.5 billion, respectively.

HCMC, like other cities and provinces, has programs to attract talented workers. However, as Pham Van Bien from the HCMC Biology Association said, though trillions of dong have been spent, the results remain very modest. Local authorities are willing to pay, but still don’t know how much to pay and how to attract talent, he said.

According to Bien, in 2014-2017, HCMC attracted 15 specialists, including two Vietnamese, eight overseas Vietnamese (Viet Kieu) and five foreigners. Of these, five have withdrawn from the program, while the other 10 are still working, but the achievements were not as great as expected.

“Does HCMC intend to attract talents with just VND20-30 million a month?” Bien questioned.

The offered pay of VND20-30 million has surprised many people. Quyen Linh, an actor, commented: “People with special talents won’t accept the salary of VND30 million a month because they can make hundreds of million of dong.”

Truong Van Lam, director of the HCMC Department of Interior Affairs, said the pay to people with special talents can ensure a good life and they can can also get rewards for their works.

The ‘people with special talents’ are those with academic credentials, or those without such titles but recognized by society.

According to Lam, the people hired do not have to work in city and state agencies or follow the 8-hour working day regime. However, they can be employed by the city’s agencies if they want.

Chu Pham Ngoc Son, deputy chair of the HCMC Union of Science & Technology Association, said it is necessary to appraise candidates’ capability in a flexible way, rather than applying rigid standards.

“Research works which bring benefits to the city will be more valuable than internationally published scientific articles,” he said.

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