The Government issued Decree No. 161/2026/ND-CP stipulating the base salary and bonus regime for cadres, civil servants, public employees and armed forces. Accordingly, the base salary will increase to 2,530,000 VND/month from July 1, 2026.
From July 1, 2026, the new bonus regime for cadres, civil servants, public employees and armed forces will officially take effect according to the Government's regulations.
According to the new Decree, bonuses will be implemented based on two main bases: outstanding work achievements and results of annual monitoring, evaluation, and quality classification of employees in agencies and units.
Bonuses based on work results, not egalitarian
The bonus regime is used for two forms: Extraordinary bonuses for outstanding achievements in the working process and annual periodic bonuses based on quarterly, 6-month evaluation results and year-end quality classification.
Bonus payment will be applied to those on the payroll list of agencies and units. Notably, the bonus level is not required to be linked to the salary coefficient of each individual, thereby opening up a more flexible mechanism, encouraging people to work effectively and make outstanding contributions.
The Decree also requires each agency and unit to develop and promulgate its own Bonus Regulations. This regulation is decided by the head of the agency or unit according to management authority, and must also be sent to higher-level agencies for inspection, supervision and internal disclosure.
Reward regulations must clearly define criteria and procedures
The bonus regulations of each agency and unit must ensure full content such as scope and subjects of application; criteria for considering bonuses; specific bonus levels; processes and procedures for considering bonuses and other necessary regulations serving management work.
In which, the bonus criteria must be based on outstanding work achievements or results of periodic quarterly, 6-month and annual evaluations of each individual.
The new regulation is assessed to contribute to limiting the situation of "uniformity" in increased income expenditures, while creating a clearer recognition mechanism for individuals who excellently complete their tasks.
Bonus fund equal to 10% of salary fund
This fund is outside the commendation fund according to the Law on Emulation and Commendation and is determined by 10% of the total salary fund according to position, title, rank, grade and military rank of subjects on the salary payment list of agencies and units. This calculation item does not include allowances.
The above regulation is expected to create a stable source of funding for agencies to proactively implement the bonus policy, thereby improving the motivation to work and the responsibility of the contingent of cadres, civil servants, and public employees.
If the bonus fund is not used up, it must be returned to the budget.
The Decree also clearly states the principles of managing the bonus fund to ensure transparency and avoid budget waste.
Accordingly, by the end of the budget year, including the time for finalization adjustment, if the agency or unit does not use up the bonus fund, the remaining funds will be cancelled from the estimate or must be paid back to the state budget depending on the case.
The strict regulation of the bonus fund management mechanism is said to be aimed at increasing responsibility in using public budget, while ensuring that bonuses are paid for the right purpose, for the right subjects and associated with actual work efficiency.
