Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra outlined plans to attract 1,000 top talents by 2030, backed by annual state funding equivalent to 0.1% of GDP as Vietnam seeks to strengthen its competitiveness in strategic sectors.

Deputy PM Ho Quoc Dung has signed a decree stipulating breakthrough development mechanisms for innovation and the exploitation of national data, as well as activities at the Data Innovation and Exploitation Centre under the National Data Centre.

Competitive incomes alone are not enough to attract, retain and effectively utilise highly qualified personnel.

As Vietnam seeks highly skilled people to support its next stage of development, experts say the country must move beyond academic credentials and build workplaces where talent can actually perform.

HCM City and other special-class cities will gain broader powers to offer tailored salaries, bonuses, housing and other benefits to attract highly skilled professionals under a new law.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs has been tasked with coordinating with other ministries and agencies to review and improve regulations on salaries, income and work permits as part of efforts to attract foreign experts and scientists.

Vietnam is giving strategic technology researchers greater financial autonomy, aiming to attract top talent, accelerate projects and create more room for breakthroughs.

The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs held an August 10 workshop in Hanoi on building networks of OV experts and intellectuals in strategic technologies.

Ho Chi Minh City has restarted its talent attraction program, offering monthly incomes of up to US$3,850 and one-time rewards of up to US$38,500 for individuals with outstanding achievements.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has launched a worldwide AI network to mobilize Vietnamese expertise across research, business and policymaking.

Vietnam is developing a comprehensive talent strategy aimed at attracting world-class experts through policy reforms, competitive incentives and a new Talent Visa.

Vietnam has introduced a new decree offering generous incentives, including monthly salary support of up to 300%, to attract leading scientists and experts in international integration and strengthen the country's foreign affairs capacity.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that holding a PhD alone does not automatically qualify an individual for the state’s talent attraction policies.

Hanoi authorities are seeking public feedback on a draft resolution introducing new housing investment, development and support policies, including expanded incentives for experts, scientists and high-quality workers in priority sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung said Vietnam’s talent attraction policies must be compelling enough for experts currently working in developed countries such as the US, the UK and Australia to willingly return home.

Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City has set a target to invite 68 visiting professors in 2026, aiming to strengthen training quality and research capacity in key disciplines.

A number of universities are pouring money into attracting professors, associate professors, and people with doctorates, but reality shows that just attracting them is not enough. The more difficult problem lies in nurturing and retaining the team.

Universities are ramping up incentives, offering high salaries and generous bonuses to compete for leading academics.

Vietnamese scientists working overseas say they are willing to return home to contribute and even to collaborate without pay. However, many barriers have prevented them from doing so.