Wage increase from July 1, 2026 is just the beginning of a long-term roadmap
In the plenary discussion session on socio-economic development plans, some delegates proposed increasing the base salary from 2.65 - 2.7 million VND per month, which is an increase of about 13 - 15% compared to the current base salary level, applied immediately from July 1, 2026.
Talking to Lao Dong newspaper, delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga - Deputy Head of the Hai Phong City National Assembly Delegation said that the above proposal is a noteworthy recommendation, reflecting the true thoughts of the current team of cadres, civil servants, and public employees.
The delegate said that the expected base salary of about 2.53 million VND/month according to the Government's plan, although it has increased by about 8% compared to the current level, still does not keep up with the rate of increase in living expenses and is still quite far from the income level of the business sector.
According to Ms. Nga, in salary policy planning, it is not possible to approach only one side, which is the need to improve income, but it is necessary to place it in the overall macroeconomic balance, especially the affordability of the state budget and the sustainability of salary reform.
Therefore, the increase to 2.7 million VND/month, if not accompanied by conditions such as streamlining staff, restructuring budget expenditures, improving the efficiency of the public sector... will easily create great pressure on the budget, even affecting macroeconomic stability.
From there, delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga proposed that it is necessary to approach the increase of the base salary according to a roadmap.
The increase to 2.53 million VND/month from July 1, 2026 is a necessary short-term adjustment step. At the same time, the Government should continue to carefully assess the practical impact, so that it can move towards higher levels in the medium term, associated with the overall reform of the salary system in the spirit of Resolution 27" - delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga stated.
The delegate affirmed that increasing the base salary is necessary, but it must be accompanied by three conditions: Effective inflation control; Restructuring budget expenditures in a sustainable direction; Associated with reforming the apparatus and improving the efficiency of the public sector.
In other words, salary increases are reasonable, but must go hand in hand with a "sufficiently solid financial foundation" to ensure feasibility and long-termness. Only then will the salary increase policy truly promote its meaning, not only "increasing income", but also "increasing the quality of operation of the state apparatus"" - the delegate emphasized.
In addition to salary increases, appropriate social security policies are needed
Delegate Pham Van Hoa (Dong Thap Delegation) also said that increasing the base salary is necessary and has positive significance for people receiving salaries from the state budget.
However, non-state sector workers such as freelancers, poor households, and small traders who are not eligible will suffer adverse impacts when market prices increase, especially essential goods and living expenses. In particular, vulnerable groups such as poor and near-poor households, and ethnic minorities face even more difficulties.
Therefore, in addition to increasing the base salary, delegate Pham Van Hoa said that there needs to be appropriate social security policies to ensure that these groups are not left behind and maintain the minimum living standard.
From the above analysis, he proposed a number of solutions such as: Housing support for low-income people; fully implementing policies on subsidies and allowances for social protection beneficiaries; capital support at low interest rates, even 0% interest rates to create jobs and stabilize livelihoods.
The delegate affirmed that adjusting the base salary and double-digit economic growth are necessary, but the impact is uneven between income groups.
Therefore, the Government needs to have specific solutions so that low-income people can access policies and stabilize their lives" - he suggested.
