As the Fourth Industrial Revolution accelerates globally, science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation play a vital role as the key drivers of sustainable socio-economic development. Recognizing this importance, the Party and State have long prioritized establishing mechanisms and policies to attract and retain talent in science and technology.

Recently, General Secretary To Lam tasked the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology and other relevant ministries, to urgently develop and issue a special incentive policy aimed at attracting at least 100 leading experts back to Vietnam to work by August 2025.

Additionally, the Ministry of Science and Technology has been assigned to implement the Talent Attraction Strategy to 2030, with a vision toward 2050, to be finalized by September 2025.

These strategic directives reflect the strong commitment of the Party and State in building a highly skilled workforce to support national development.

According to Mai Anh Hong, the current legal framework is relatively complete and provides a breakthrough foundation for attracting top-tier talent and high-quality human resources.

Specifically, the National Assembly passed the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation 2025, creating a solid and groundbreaking platform for talent attraction and promoting scientific, technological, innovative, and digital transformation.

This law was developed based on the guiding principles of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo regarding the development of science, technology, and innovation in the new context. It offers a more open legal environment, granting scientists greater autonomy over intellectual property, finances, and commercialization rights. It also introduces enhanced financial and non-financial incentives for talent in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

The law allows flexible compensation mechanisms, including those exceeding standard salary limits, to attract, retain, and empower Vietnamese experts abroad.

Furthermore, the National Assembly has also passed the Law on the Digital Technology Industry 2025, aiming to concretize development policies for digital technology as a key economic sector. This law includes special incentives to develop Vietnam's semiconductor industry and ecosystem, while also providing a legal foundation for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assets.

“These new policies, especially the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation and the Law on the Digital Technology Industry, are expected to create a truly attractive environment, laying the groundwork to retain and fully unlock the potential of top talent, delivering strategic breakthroughs in Vietnam’s frontier technologies,” emphasized Mai Anh Hong.

Despite flexible policies, financial incentives remain uncompetitive

While significant progress has been made, Mai Anh Hong acknowledged that despite the passage of new laws, the implementation of detailed decrees and circulars must align closely with related regulations (such as the Law on State Budget and the Law on Public Officials). Without streamlined, adaptable administrative procedures, these laws will have limited impact.

Regarding both financial and non-financial incentives, Hong noted that although there have been improvements, Vietnam’s financial packages for scientists remain uncompetitive compared to those in developed countries.

“Beyond finances, essential factors like a professional research environment, advanced infrastructure, workplace culture, and career advancement opportunities must be comprehensively improved,” Hong added.

He further emphasized that, “Though flexible compensation is allowed, these mechanisms remain overly theoretical. The new laws allow salary caps to be exceeded, but the scope and practical application of these mechanisms must be clearly defined in forthcoming implementation guidelines.”

Housing, salaries, and working conditions should not be viewed as privileges

Hong emphasized that in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, high-quality human capital is the decisive factor - and cannot be attracted with rigid policy.

“Providing above-cap salary, housing, and proper working conditions should not be seen as privileges, but as minimum requirements to enable breakthrough talent to thrive,” he proposed.

“To clarify the intent of Resolution 57-NQ/TW, the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Law on the Digital Technology Industry,” he stated, “the Ministry of Science and Technology is focusing on several concrete policy actions.”

These include issuing regulations on risk acceptance mechanisms, self-governance for public science and technology institutions, and exceptional incentives to develop the semiconductor industry. The ministry is also formulating policies for attracting, employing, and valuing talent, alongside regulations on profit-sharing from research outcomes.

Plans are underway to implement the project “Developing and valuing high-quality human resources and talent for national science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.” This includes national programs with targeted objectives to attract overseas Vietnamese scientists and experienced international experts. These programs will offer special financial packages, world-class working conditions, and clear career growth opportunities.

Investing in research infrastructure and environment: The government plans to upgrade national key laboratories and research centers to meet international standards, establish high-tech zones and technology incubators, and create a favorable ecosystem for creativity and innovation.

Fostering collaboration between research and business: The Ministry encourages private-sector investment in R&D and greater collaboration between research institutes, universities, and businesses to commercialize scientific results and expand technology markets.

Promoting international cooperation and technology transfer: Vietnam will facilitate international collaboration by enabling its scientists to join global research projects and networks while attracting major tech corporations to establish R&D centers in Vietnam.

Removing bureaucratic obstacles and ensuring scientist autonomy: Reducing administrative barriers and ensuring maximum autonomy for researchers will be a key priority. Adequate financial resources, equipment, and databases must also be provided to support experimentation and innovation.

Outcome-focused evaluation: Evaluation will shift from process-heavy reviews to results-oriented assessments based on international publications, patents, and high-value commercial products.

Du Lam