Lack of high-quality human resources in the field of science and technology
Talking to Lao Dong about the difficulties that public science and technology organizations face in attracting and retaining talent, Ms. Vu Thi La - Deputy Director of the Department of Organization and Personnel (Ministry of Science and Technology) said that this problem may be resolved thanks to the issuance of Decree No. 263/2025/ND-CP. Because the new Decree meets existing needs, creating a new legal corridor, helping public science and technology organizations to be more autonomous in all stages from recruitment, personnel management to income policy.
One of the highlights of Decree 263/2025/ND-CP is that it allows public science and technology organizations to decide on the recruitment, management and use of civil servants and employees. This mechanism helps them proactively remove problems that have lasted for many years in the process of organizing human resources.
In particular, when financial barriers are removed, research institutes and public centers can build attractive enough "terror packages", including salary levels, housing, and working conditions to attract foreign experts and overseas Vietnamese to return home. This is an important condition to compete for high-quality human resources in the global context.
The Decree also expands the scope of international cooperation by allowing public science and technology organizations to hire foreign experts or overseas Vietnamese to take on leadership and management positions. In addition, they can also invite experts to participate in research, training, technology transfer and innovation (DMST). These are considered key activities to help improve national competitiveness.
Breakthrough in salary, income mechanism and treatment policies
According to the Deputy Director of the Department of Organization and Personnel (Ministry of Science and Technology), the new breakthrough point of Decree 263/2025/ND-CP lies in the mechanism of paying salaries and income according to job position, productivity, and work efficiency, instead of relying on rigid ranks and levels.
Science and Technology organizations are given complete autonomy in developing and promulgating internal regulations on salaries and income, as long as they ensure democracy, publicity and transparency. The Decree also eliminates the salary ceiling, allowing units to pay unlimited income from legal revenue from the State budget, from science and technology and technology activities. This is considered a big boost, helping science and technology organizations to pay salaries worthy of the labor value of scientists, engineers and experts.
At the same time, the Decree also includes flexible negotiation mechanisms on salaries and outstanding incentive policies such as bonuses, accommodation support, travel expenses, essential shopping, health care, resorts, etc. These incentives help public organizations to "reserve" talent, attract talented people without being constrained by the administrative salary framework.
Decree No. 263/2025/ND-CP is considered a turning point in reforming the science and technology management mechanism, transforming from the mindset of "asking - giving" to " empowering and being responsible". When autonomy is expanded, science and technology organizations can be more flexible in using resources and investing in human resources, thereby creating an attractive working environment for scientists, engineers and creative experts.
If effectively implemented, Decree 263/2025/ND-CP will not only be a policy boost but also a launching pad to help Vietnam form a team of world-class science and technology talents, contributing to promoting growth based on innovation and knowledge - the foundation for sustainable development in the new period.
