On September 19, 2025, the Government issued Decree No. 249/2025/ND-CP regulating the mechanisms and policies to attract scientific and technological experts, innovation, and digital transformation, aiming to完善 the high-quality human resource mechanism to serve the goals of socio-economic development in the new phase.
This decree is a document that specifies the legal regulations on attracting experts, developed based on related laws such as the Law on Government Organization, the Law on Officials and Public Employees, the Law on Public Employees, and especially the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation.
This is not only a legal document but also a step to enhance the role of high-quality human resources in the national development strategy, especially in the context of increasingly fierce global talent competition.
(Source: Decree No. 249/2025/ND-CP; Legal Library)
The subjects to which the policy applies include:
- Individuals are Vietnamese citizens residing abroad and foreigners who meet the expert criteria for nomination or self-nomination.
- Agencies and organizations under the Party, the State, the Fatherland Front, and political-social organizations.
- Enterprises leading programs and projects on science - technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
The expansion of the target creates a flexible collaborative environment between the State, businesses, and international experts – which is essential for Vietnam to catch up with the flow of high-quality human resources in the world.
Criteria for selecting experts – combining professional knowledge and practical achievements
Regulations on clear criteria for selecting experts, aimed at individuals with professional qualifications, practical experience, and the ability to contribute to scientific and technological tasks:
- Professional competence suitable for the assigned tasks, meeting the specific requirements of the fields of science, technology, innovation, or digital transformation that agencies or organizations need to utilize experts.
- Practical experience and proven work results are demonstrated through research products, technological solutions, projects, initiatives, or application results that have real value.
- The ability to create value contributions for the receiving agency or organization, including the capacity for implementation, application, or transfer of knowledge and technology, contributing to the enhancement of operational efficiency and innovative capacity.
This approach demonstrates that the policy for selecting experts is not solely based on academic credentials but focuses on substantive effectiveness and the value provided, aligning with the demands for the development of science, technology, and innovation in the current period.
Selection and Contracting Process – Transparent, Flexible
Decree regulating the process from announcing the selection needs, appraising the documents to signing contracts with experts:
- Announcement of recruitment needs for each program and project.
- Receiving candidate applications (nominations or self-nominations).
- Assessment of competence and interview (if necessary).
- Signing the employment/expert contract, clarifying rights, obligations, duration, and related terms.
This selection approach provides transparency, openness, and flexibility – particularly useful for attracting specialized and multidisciplinary talent in science and technology.
QUYỀN VÀ NGHĨA VỤ; TRÁCH NHIỆM; ĐÁNH GIÁ KẾT QUẢ THỰC HIỆN NHIỆM VỤ CỦA CHUYÊN GIA; CHÍNH SÁCH ĐÃI NGỘ
Quyền chuyên gia
- Quyết định các nội dung kỹ thuật và giải quyết vấn đề kỹ thuật trong phạm vi nhiệm vụ được giao.
- Chủ động đề xuất huy động nhân lực, tổ chức tham gia hỗ trợ thực hiện nhiệm vụ.
- Quyết định sử dụng nguồn lực, bao gồm kinh phí, mua công nghệ, sản phẩm, thiết bị cần thiết theo thỏa thuận trong hợp đồng.
- Được hưởng đãi ngộ, hỗ trợ tài chính, điều kiện làm việc và các chính sách khuyến khích khác nếu có trong hợp đồng.
Nghĩa vụ và trách nhiệm
- Tuân thủ pháp luật Việt Nam và các cam kết quốc tế liên quan khi thực hiện nhiệm vụ.
- Bảo mật thông tin, dữ liệu liên quan đến nhiệm vụ, đặc biệt các thông tin nhạy cảm và bí mật theo quy định.
- Tôn trọng văn hóa, tập quán trong môi trường làm việc Việt Nam và duy trì đạo đức nghề nghiệp.
The evaluation of experts is conducted periodically on an annual basis or at each stage of the task by the agency or organization leading the program or project. The evaluation focuses on the progress of implementation, the quality and quantity of output products, proposals – initiatives for the application of science and technology, as well as the ability to coordinate, manage, and the sense of responsibility in work. The evaluation results serve as the basis for considering the continuation of policy application, rewards, or termination of the employment contract with the expert.
Salary, bonuses, and benefits:
The expert's salary is agreed upon in the contract, ensuring it is commensurate with the duties and in line with the labor market. The annual bonus is based on the performance results, with a maximum of 04 months' salary. In addition, the expert is entitled to support policies for housing, travel, research, healthcare, leave, and is recognized and rewarded according to regulations.
Policy after completing the task:
Foreign experts may be considered for reduced conditions for obtaining Vietnamese citizenship. Experts holding Vietnamese nationality may be considered for recruitment as civil servants and public employees, and for appointment to leadership and management positions in accordance with regulations.
Policy for Expert Families:
The expert family is supported with education for their children, healthcare, access to job opportunities, and is granted visas and temporary residence cards appropriate for the duration of their work.
Policy for the nominating unit of experts:
After 12 months, if the expert meets the task requirements, the agency, organization, or individual that nominated them will receive a bonus of 1 month's salary as stated in the contract.
Decree 249/2025/ND-CP marks an important step in perfecting the mechanism for attracting and utilizing a team of scientific and technological experts, innovation, and digital transformation in Vietnam. With a practical effectiveness and contribution value-centered approach, the decree not only expands the target group of experts both domestically and internationally but also establishes a transparent and flexible selection process that links benefits with responsibilities and task performance results. At the same time, the remuneration policy is designed to align with capabilities and levels of contribution, contributing to creating a competitive, integrated, and sustainable working environment. This is an important foundation for Vietnam to develop a high-quality human resource pool that meets the requirements for promoting science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in the new development phase.