On the morning of April 21, the National Assembly discussed in the hall about the socio-economic development plan (SEDP).
Delegate Thach Phuoc Binh (Vinh Long Delegation) said that in recent years, the State has made positive adjustments when raising the base salary from 1.49 million VND to 1.8 million VND and then 2.34 million VND/month and is expected to continue to increase to 2.53 million VND from July 1, 2026.
The delegate assessed that the level of 2.53 million VND/month from July 1, 2026 is a reasonable increase in terms of technology, but not strong enough to say that it has ensured the lives of the majority of people working in the public sector.
If asked if that level is enough for people in the public sector to live on their salaries, then in my opinion it is not, especially for newcomers, people without additional income sources and people working in big cities," the delegate said and said that the level of 2.53 million VND only achieves the goal of stability, not the goal of ensuring living standards.
Analysis by Vinh Long delegation said that from January 1, 2026, the regional minimum wage for the business sector has increased to 5.31 million VND in region 1, 4.73 million VND in region 2, 4.14 million VND in region 3 and 3.7 million VND in region 4. The average for 4 regions is about 4.47 million VND per month.
Right in 2025, many groups of essential costs increased faster than the general CPI, such as housing, electricity, water and construction materials increased by 8.3%, while medicine and medical services increased by 12.92%. This is very important because these are difficult-to-evade expenses for civil servant and public employee households.
Therefore, although the base salary increased by 8.12%, the actual feeling of many people may still be better than before, not yet reaching a level of peace of mind, especially when raising children, renting houses, traveling, studying and taking care of healthcare.
From practical analysis of income and living expenses, delegate Thach Phuoc Binh said that the level of 2.65 - 2.7 million VND per month, which is an increase of about 13-15% compared to the current base salary, stands out as a more reasonable and feasible option in the current period.
More importantly, this level helps narrow the gap with the regional minimum wage of the business sector, reducing the pressure of essential spending shortages.
In terms of life and psychology, the increase to 2.65 to 2.7 million VND, although not completely guaranteeing living on salary in big cities, is of great significance in helping workers reduce dependence on income sources outside of salary, creating a clear feeling of income improvement instead of just nominal increase, contributing to stabilizing psychology and improving working motivation.
Especially in the context that essential commodities such as housing, healthcare, electricity and water are increasing faster than the general CPI, wage increases at a large enough level to feel is extremely necessary.
According to the delegate, in terms of budget balance, the level of 2.65 to 2.7 million VND per month has the advantage of not creating too much pressure on the State budget, which can be implemented if accompanied by staff streamlining, restructuring public spending, and reducing inefficient expenditures.
In the current conditions, the level of 2.65 - 2.7 million VND is the overall optimal option, both ensuring feasibility and creating a substantial improvement step, while paving the way for deeper reform steps in the coming time.
