Individuals with exceptional talent and outstanding achievements may receive rewards of up to VND1 billion (approximately US$38,500) in addition to monthly incomes ranging from VND30 million to VND100 million (US$1,150–3,850) under Ho Chi Minh City's newly updated policy.

Speaking at the city's socio-economic press briefing on July 30, Vo Hung Son, Deputy Head of the Science Management Division under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, outlined the implementation of the city's renewed plan to attract experts, scientists, chief architects and individuals with exceptional talent.

According to Son, Ho Chi Minh City has spent recent years developing a relatively comprehensive talent attraction framework based on the special governance mechanism authorized by Vietnam's National Assembly under Resolution 98/2023.

At the national level, the government has issued Decree No. 231/2025 and Decree No. 249/2025, establishing regulations on the selection of chief engineers and chief architects, as well as mechanisms to attract experts in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

At the municipal level, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council has adopted Resolution No. 27/2023 and Resolution No. 461/2025, extending income support policies for experts, scientists and individuals with exceptional talent across the city's expanded administrative area following recent administrative restructuring. Based on these resolutions, the city government also issued Decision No. 05/2026 governing expert recruitment and Decision No. 2033/2026 authorizing the establishment of recruitment and selection councils.

Regarding incentives, Son said newly recruited experts will receive an initial support payment of up to VND100 million (US$3,850), together with monthly incomes ranging from VND30 million to VND100 million (US$1,150–3,850) depending on their positions. Researchers who successfully complete scientific projects will also receive an incentive payment equivalent to 5% of the state budget allocated to the completed research or scientific product.

In addition, individuals with exceptional talent who achieve outstanding accomplishments may receive one-time rewards of up to VND1 billion (US$38,500). The city will also provide housing support of up to VND7 million (US$270) per month for those facing accommodation difficulties, priority access to social housing purchases, and transportation assistance where feasible through the employing organization.

During the 2024-2025 period, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology received proposals from five agencies, including the former Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Digital Transformation Center, the Saigon Hi-Tech Park Management Board, the former Thu Duc City People's Committee, and the High-Tech Agricultural Park Management Board. Together, they proposed 18 positions covering 30 recruitment quotas.

The city's recruitment council subsequently reviewed the proposals and recommended 12 positions covering 13 recruitment quotas for approval. However, implementation was temporarily suspended as Vietnam carried out nationwide administrative restructuring and organizational reforms.

In 2026, following instructions from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the Department of Science and Technology has asked municipal departments, agencies and universities to review and register their demand for experts, scientists, individuals with exceptional talent and chief architects.

In the coming period, the department will continue collecting recruitment proposals before submitting the first list of priority sectors, programs and projects to the city government. It will also coordinate with the Department of Home Affairs to organize implementation workshops aimed at standardizing recruitment procedures, applying incentive policies and addressing practical challenges.

The department acknowledged that although Ho Chi Minh City has established a relatively comprehensive and innovative policy framework, the number of experts, scientists, chief architects and exceptional talents attracted so far remains limited compared with actual demand.

City identifies 18 expert positions in latest recruitment review

To date, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology has received responses from seven organizations. Five reported no current recruitment demand, while the remaining two proposed a total of 18 positions.

The High-Tech Agricultural Park Management Board requested nine positions covering 10 experts, focusing on strategic planning for high-tech agricultural development, livestock production, crop cultivation, aquaculture, post-harvest preservation, applied biotechnology, plant breeding and digital transformation.

Meanwhile, the city's Digital Transformation Center proposed nine positions for specialists in digital transformation architecture, digital data and artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, information security and cybersecurity, digital transformation program and project management, as well as digital transformation supporting the digital economy, marine economy and circular economy.

Phuoc Sang