Turning point in talent attraction policy

Legalize the mechanism of meritocracy

One of the key contents of the Law on Science , Technology and Innovation is to recognize and grant broader rights to scientists, including intellectual property rights, commercial exploitation of research results and autonomy in financial use. The Law also stipulates that the State has special preferential policies for talents in the fields of science, technology and innovation through financial and non-financial incentives, working conditions and housing arrangements. The State creates opportunities for long-term career development, attracts talents from abroad; ensures social security for talents and their families.

Along with that, the Law on Digital Technology Industry, which was recently issued in June 2025, affirms the role of this sector as a spearhead economic sector, playing a driving role in growth and innovation. The law focuses on the development of the semiconductor industry, the artificial intelligence ecosystem and digital assets, with outstanding preferential policies specifically for businesses and experts in this field.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, after the new laws are promulgated, there should be specific decrees and circulars guiding the attraction of talent. At the same time, the regulations need to be consistent with other laws such as the State Budget Law, the Civil Servants Law, etc. and avoid cumbersome and inflexible procedures.

The level of financial support for scientists in Vietnam is still not competitive enough with developed countries; the working environment, facilities, academic culture, career development opportunities, etc. are the points that need to be improved synchronously to attract and retain talent. New laws have opened up the possibility of "going beyond the framework" in salary, bonus and support, but it is still a principle; therefore, it is necessary to specify this mechanism in guiding documents so that it can be implemented in practice.

Need a team of top scientists

At a recent working session with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasized that there are currently many highly qualified and well-trained experts and scientists who have been working in universities, research institutes, and leading technology enterprises in developed countries. Among them, many young Vietnamese scientists who studied abroad have returned to work in the country, making effective contributions in many fields.

However, the Deputy Prime Minister suggested that it is necessary to synchronously deploy solutions, including building a professional and dynamic research environment, ensuring favorable working conditions, appropriate remuneration and long-term career development opportunities to more effectively attract Vietnamese scientists abroad.

In the context of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW identifying science, technology and innovation as the foundation and important driving force for national development in the new period and the list of 11 strategic technology groups issued by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1311/QD-TTg in June 2025, the need for technology talent and "chief engineers" has become even more urgent.

When referring to the implementation of research on space technology, Dr. Nguyen Quan, former Minister of Science and Technology, said that in addition to State investment and business participation, special attention should be paid to attracting good scientists, contributing to the goal of making Vietnam a high-income developed country by 2045.

Dr. Nguyen Trong Hien, an expert from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), shared: “We can discuss policies, resources, and capital that the State is willing to spend on scientific research, but if we do not give freedom to researchers and scientists, it will be difficult to develop well. The big challenge for Vietnam is the issue of management; if there is an open and favorable environment, we will attract talents from abroad to contribute to the country's science, technology, and innovation.”

Enterprises are also waiting for policies to be concretized soon to effectively implement activities to attract high-quality human resources. A representative of Viettel Group said that the State needs to have more synchronous and effective mechanisms and policies, such as: housing support; income tax incentives; allowing experts to own or co-own research results, inventions, and patents; own or have shares in enterprises formed from research results...

Carrying out the task of issuing special incentive mechanisms and policies to attract leading experts to return to the country, the Ministry of Science and Technology is developing many specific policies, in the spirit of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, completing the Project on developing and promoting talents and high-quality human resources, with programs to attract Vietnamese scientists abroad to work through special financial support, excellent research conditions and career development opportunities.

Along with that, investment will be made to upgrade research infrastructure, build international standard centers, build high-tech zones, and technology incubators to create a favorable environment for creativity and innovation. Administrative barriers will be reduced, autonomy will be increased, and adequate resources will be provided to ensure research and technology testing. The mechanism for evaluating the research process will also shift strongly to being based on output results (international publications, patents, commercialized products, etc.).