Decree 249/2025/ND-CP on attracting experts in innovation and digital transformation

DECREE

Prescribing mechanisms and policies to attract science, technology, innovation and digital transformation experts^[1]

Pursuant to Law No. 63/2025/QH15 on Organization of the Government;

Pursuant to Law No. 80/2025/QH15 on Cadres and Civil Servants;

Pursuant to Law No. 58/2010/QH12 on Public Employees; and Law No. 52/2019/QH14 Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Cadres and Civil Servants and the Law on Public Employees;

Pursuant to Law No. 93/2025/QH15 on Science, Technology and Innovation;

At the proposal of the Minister of Home Affairs;

The Government promulgates the Decree prescribing mechanisms and policies for attracting science, technology, innovation and digital transformation experts.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation

1. This Decree prescribes mechanisms and policies for attracting science, technology, innovation and digital transformation experts, including criteria; recruitment process; rights and obligations; responsibilities; assessment; and related policies.

2. This Decree does not apply to general engineers and chief architects as defined in the Government’s Decree No. 231/2025/ND-CP of August 26, 2025, providing the recruitment and employment of general engineers and chief architects in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, and leading experts, scientists, and general engineers defined in the Government’s Decree No. 103/2025/ND-CP of May 15, 2025, prescribing a number of policies applicable to core defense industry establishments, core security industry establishments, and regimes and policies applicable to laborers working therein.

Article 2. Subjects of application

1. Individuals being overseas Vietnamese and foreigners who satisfy the expert criteria specified in this Decree and who are nominated, self-nominated and selected as experts.

2. Agencies, organizations, and units of the Party, the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, central and local socio-political organizations, the armed forces, and enterprises assigned to take charge of the implementation of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation programs, tasks or projects.

3. Other related agencies, organizations, units and individuals.

Chapter II

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Section 1

RECRUITMENT CRITERIA AND PROCESS; RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS; RESPONSIBILITIES; ASSESSMENT OF TASK PERFORMANCE RESULTS OF EXPERTS

Article 3. Expert recruitment criteria

1. Experts defined in this Decree are individuals possessing knowledge, qualifications and research experience in one or more fields of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, and meeting the criteria specified in Clause 2 and Clause 3 of this Article.

2. General criteria:

a/ Having led or participated in the implementation of science, technology, innovation or digital transformation tasks, with priority given to strategic technologies in the lists of strategic technologies and strategic technology products promulgated by competent authorities, and having made practical contributions to national, regional and international development;

b/ Having a clear background and good moral qualities;

c/ Aspiring to contribute to Vietnam’s science, technology, innovation and digital transformation development.

3. Concurrently meeting one of the following specific criteria:

a/ Being the author or co-author of inventions granted intellectual property protection titles that have been applied or transferred for the creation of products with practical value; or possessing advanced professional qualifications and rich experience in sectors or domains relevant to tasks to be performed in Vietnam, and currently working at research sections of reputable overseas research institutes, universities or enterprises;

b/ Being the author or co-author of outstanding scientific or technological research works that have won international awards or been widely applied, generating practical benefits and being relevant to science, technology, innovation or  digital transformation programs, tasks or projects to be participated in;

c/ Holding a doctoral degree from a university ranked among the group of the world’s top 200 universities according to reputable international ranking tables ,and having at least 05 years of experience in lecturing, scientific research, or technological development at reputable overseas research or training institutions in specialized sectors relevant to science, technology, innovation or digital transformation programs, tasks or projects to be participated in;

d/ Holding a doctoral degree and having at least 5 years of working in a scientific research position under international scientific and/or technological cooperation programs or projects, or at research sections of reputable overseas enterprises;

dd/ Having published at least 10 articles in prestigious international journals, or serving as a member of science councils of prestigious journals, or having  successfully supervised at least 02 doctoral students;

e/ Where a candidate fails to fully satisfy the criteria specified at Points  a, b, c, d and dd of this Clause, the agency, organization or unit having the need to recruit experts may decide to recruit the expert for the implementation of science, technology, innovation or digital transformation programs, tasks or projects, and shall take responsibility for its decision.

Article 4. Expert recruitment process

1. Agencies, organizations and units assigned to take charge of the implementation of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation programs, tasks or projects shall publicly announce their need to recruit experts, including expert positions, task requirements, criteria, and the time for receipt of dossiers.

2. The recruitment of experts meeting the criteria specified in Article 3 of this Decree shall be carried out through nomination or self-nomination as follows:

a/ Agencies, organizations and units having the need to recruit experts proactively seek for candidates;

b/ Individuals apply through self-nomination;

c/ Overseas representative agencies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and overseas Vietnamese communities nominate candidates;

d/ Domestic and foreign agencies, organizations and experts nominate candidates.

3. Candidate-nominating agencies, organizations and individuals and self-nominating candidates shall send their dossiers to the agencies, organizations or units with the need to recruit experts. Such dossier must comprise:

a/ A written nomination or self-nomination;

b/ A curriculum vitae of the candidate (clearly stating his/her professional capabilities, experiences, outstanding achievements);

c/ Draft plans or schemes for the implementation of science, technology, innovation or digital transformation programs, tasks or projects, as required by the expert position.

4. Agencies, organizations and units with the expert recruitment need shall examine the validity of dossiers specified in Clause 3 of this Article. Where a candidate satisfies the criteria specified in Article 3 of this Decree, they shall send a letter of invitation to the candidate for the signing of a labor contract; in case of necessity, interviews may be conducted before signing the labor contract.

5. The termed labor contracts with experts must clearly specify task contents; working term; working mechanism; rights and obligations, responsibilities; applicable regimes and policies; contract termination; mechanisms for settling disputes (if any), and other relevant contents.

Article 5. Rights and obligations of experts

Experts have the rights and obligations of individuals engaged in science, technology, innovation activities as prescribed in Article 51 and Article 52 of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation. In addition, depending on the requirements of their assigned positions, experts may exercise rights and perform obligations as stated in their labor contracts:

1. To decide technical and technological matters and handle technical issues within the scope of assigned tasks;

2. To proactively select and propose competent agencies to mobilize scientific and technological personnel and science and technology organizations for task performance; to proactively select and employ personnel within the scope of assigned tasks;

3. To proactively decide on the use of allocated funds and resources, including funds for direct procurement of necessary foreign technologies, products, equipment, technological know-how at negotiated prices;

4. To be provided with conditions and financial support to conduct surveys and scientific exchanges with foreign scientists for the purpose of updating new technologies;

5. Other rights and obligations (if any).

Article 6. Responsibilities of experts

1. To comply with Vietnam’s law and relevant international laws; to protect information and data relating to science, technology, innovation and digital transformation programs, tasks and projects within the scope of assigned tasks as prescribed by law. To bear personal responsibility for breaches of obligations of the signed labor contracts causing financial loss, asset damage, product damage, or disclosure of state secrets or confidential documents.

2. To respect Vietnam’s culture, customs and practices;

3. To observe professional ethics, professional requirements, honesty, objectivity and a sense of responsibility in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation activities.

Article 7. Assessment of task performance results of experts

1. The assessment of experts’ task performance results shall be carried out annually or after each task performance stage by agencies, organizations and units assigned to take charge of the implementation of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation programs, tasks or projects.

2. Assessment criteria:

a/ Progress in task performance under labor contracts;

b/ Quantity and quality of output products under labor contracts;

c/ Proposals, initiatives, applications in science, technology, innovation or digital transformation;

d/ Capability to coordinate, connect, and address problems arising during task performance;

dd/ Sense of responsibility, dedication and coordination in work.

3. Assessment results shall be used as a basis for agencies, organizations and units with the expert recruitment need to implement applicable regimes and policies or terminate labor contracts with experts.

Section 2

POLICIES FOR EXPERTS

Article 8. Wages, bonuses, working conditions and welfare regimes for experts

1. Wages shall be agreed upon in labor contracts for experts in accordance with assigned tasks and in conformity with the applicable wage floor in the fields of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in the labor market.

2. Annual bonuses shall be decided by agencies, organizations and units assigned to take charge of the implementation of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation programs, tasks or projects, based on results of assessment of the performance of assigned tasks, which must not exceed four months’ wages stated in labor contracts.

3. Bonuses earned from leasing, sale, transfer, assignment of use rights, exploitation and use of results of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation tasks; or from capital contribution, cooperation, joint ventures, partnerships, service provision or enterprise establishment must comply with the provisions of Point a, Clause 3, Article 28 of the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation.

4. Initial support equivalent to 1 month’s wage as stated in the labor contract to assist experts in stabilizing accommodation, travel and purchase of essentials.

5. Support for house rental and means of transport or provision of standard apartments and transport during the period of working as experts.

6. Payment of funds for overseas research or scientific exchanges when experts are appointed by agencies, organizations or units in charge of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation programs, tasks or projects as required by their tasks.

7. Health care, wellness vacation and annual leaves:

a/ Being provided with an annual voluntary healthcare package not exceeding 01% of the annual wage stated in labor contracts;

b/ Being provided with a domestic annual wellness vacation of 7 days, with funding support not exceeding one month’s wage stated in labor contracts for experts and their family members (spouses and children under 18 years of age);

c/ Taking home leaves as prescribed by the labor law, with funding for return tickets once a year for experts and their family members (spouse and children under 18 years of age).

8. Honoring and commendation:

a/ Being honored or acknowledged for experts’ contributions upon official commencement of tasks in Vietnam and upon completion of tasks stated in labor contracts;

b/ Meeting with senior Party and State leaders, receive commendations, present petitions and proposals; and participating in seminars on experience exchange in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation;

c/ Receiving commendation in accordance with the Law on Emulation and Commendation; receiving domestic and foreign titles and awards in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in accordance with Vietnam’s law.

Article 9. Policies for experts upon completion and accomplishment of tasks

1. Foreign experts who so wish may be considered for reduction of certain conditions when applying for Vietnamese nationality in accordance with law.

2. Experts of Vietnamese nationality who wish to work as civil servants or public  employees in Party or State agencies, organizations, units, or socio-political organizations but who have not yet satisfied the standards and conditions as prescribed by the law on civil servants or public employees, may be considered and decided by competent agencies for admission in working positions; be considered for appointment to leadership or managerial positions in Party or State agencies, organizations or units, socio-political organizations, without being required to meet conditions relating to age limits, personnel planning, political theory qualifications, or duration of holding preceding titles.

Article 10. Policies for experts’ family members

In addition to the policies applicable to experts specified at Points b and c, Clause 7, Article 8 of this Decree, family members of experts (including spouse and children under 18 years of age) are entitled to the following policies when residing in Vietnam:

1. Support in seeking schooling and in tuition fees for children under 18 years of age at public education and training institutions.

2. Provision of annual voluntary healthcare packages for the family not exceeding 1% of one year’s wage stated in the expert’s labor contract.

3. Recommendation and facilitation of access to employment opportunities in accordance with the Labor Code and relevant laws.

4. Multiple-entry visas and temporary residence cards corresponding to the experts’ working term (if any).

Article 11. Policies for expert-nominating agencies, organizations and individuals

After 12 months from the date of signing the labor contract, if the expert satisfies the requirements of the assigned programs or tasks, the agency, organization or individual nominating the expert is entitled to an amount equal to one month’s wage stated in the expert’s labor contract.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Article 12. Implementation fund

Funding for the implementation of regimes and policies prescribed in this Decree shall be included in the funding for the implementation of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation programs, tasks and projects.

Article 13. Application provisions

1. If experts defined in this Decree are subject to different documents prescribing regimes and policies that are lower than those prescribed in this Decree, the regimes and policies prescribed in this Decree shall apply for appropriate negotiations.

2. Experts defined in this Decree who are entitled to multiple regimes and policies defined in different documents may only enjoy the highest regimes and policies.

Article 14. Implementation responsibility

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall:

a/ Formulate and submit to competent authorities for promulgation, or promulgate according to its competence the list of strategic technologies;

b/ Establish the national database on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation experts.

2. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall:

a/ Provide guidance and examine the implementation of policies prescribed in this Decree;

b/ Commend, honor and reward, or propose competent authorities to commend, honor and reward in a timely and diversified manner, experts, enterprises, organizations and individuals with achievements in the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall direct agencies under its management competence to develop programs for searching for, attracting and supporting experts for recommendation to agencies, organizations and units with the need to recruit experts.

4. The Ministry of Education and Training shall prioritize the sending of Vietnamese citizens for overseas training under scholarship programs under its management in order to develop a contingent of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation experts.

5. The Ministry of Finance shall allocate and propose annual state budgets for funding science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in accordance with the laws on the state budget and public investment and relevant specialized laws.

6. The Ministry of Public Security shall:

a/ Assume the prime responsibility for guiding, examining and supervising the protection of state secrets, cybersecurity, and information security and safety in the course of implementing programs and tasks involving state secrets; organize training and guidance on technical procedures for secret protection, document classification, and handling of cybersecurity incidents for units implementing especially important scientific and technological tasks; and apply professional measures to ensure security, personal safety, and data protection for experts;

b/ Propose preferential visa and temporary residence policies for experts defined in this Decree.

7. The Ministry of National Defense shall inspect the implementation of regulations on technical security, defense industry integration systems, military data, cryptographic foundation, satellites, and secret protection communication.

8. The Ministry of Justice shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies in, reviewing and reporting to competent authorities on nationalization applications for nationalization in Vietnam for foreign expert with achievements in task performance.

9. Ministries, central agencies, and provincial/municipal People’s Committees shall:

a/ Formulate and propose science, technology, innovation and digital transformation programs, tasks and projects requiring experts;

b/ Adequately provide data, dossiers and information related to science, technology, innovation and digital transformation programs, tasks and projects; arrange resources and create conditions for experts to perform their tasks; coordinate in resolving technical, legal and financial problems at experts’ proposals;

c/ Inspect, examine and oversee programs, tasks and projects employing experts; periodically report to the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Science and Technology on the implementation status and results of task performance by experts within their respective sectors or localities before November 15 every year, and concurrently report to the Ministry of Home Affairs for monitoring.

Article 15. Effect

This Decree takes effect on the date of its signing.

Article 16. Implementation responsibility

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees, and relevant organizations and individuals shall implement this Decree.-

On behalf of the Government
For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
NGUYEN HOA BINH