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

DECREE

On mechanisms and policies for attraction of experts in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation

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

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

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

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

At the proposal of the Minister of Home Affairs;

The Government promulgates the Decree on mechanisms and policies for attraction of experts in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation

1. This Decree defines the following mechanisms and policies: criteria; process of selection; rights and obligations; responsibilities; evaluation; policies for experts in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

2. This Decree does not apply to Chief project engineers, Chief architects specified in Decree No. 231/2025/ND-CP dated August 26, 2025 of the Government, providing for the selection and employment of Chief project engineers, Chief architects in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, and leading experts and scientists, Chief Project Engineers defined in Decree No. 103/2025/ND-CP dated May 15, 2025 of the Government, providing for a number of policies for key national defense industry establishments, key security industry establishments, and the regimes and policies for employees therein.

Article 2. Subject of application

1. Individuals who are overseas Vietnamese and foreigners meeting the expert criteria specified in this Decree shall be nominated, self-nominated, or selected as experts.

2. Agencies, organizations, and units of the Party, the State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations at the central and local levels, the armed forces, and enterprises assigned to assume the prime responsibility for the implementation of programs, tasks, and projects of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

3. Other relevant agencies, organizations and individuals.

Chapter II

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Section 1. CRITERIA, PROCESS OF SELECTION; RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS; RESPONSIBILITIES; EVALUATION OF EXPERTS' TASK PERFORMANCE RESULTS

Article 3. Criteria for expert selection

1. An expert defined in this Decree means a person with knowledge, qualifications, and research experience in one or several fields of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation who meets the criteria specified in Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article.

2. General criteria:

a) Assuming the prime responsibility for, or participating in, the implementation of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation tasks, prioritizing strategic technology sectors in the list of strategic technologies and strategic technology products issued by competent authorities, and having made practical contributions to national, regional, or international development;

b) Having a clear personal record and good ethics;

c) Having a desire to contribute to the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in Vietnam.

3. Simultaneously meeting one of the following specific criteria:

a) Being the author or joint author of an invention for which an intellectual property protection title is granted and which has been applied and transferred to create a product of practical value; or having in-depth expertise and extensive experience in a sector or field relevant to the task to be performed in Vietnam and currently working in the research department of a reputable research institute, university, or enterprise abroad;

b) Being the author or joint author of an outstanding scientific and technological research work which has won an international award or has been widely applied, bringing practical efficiency and being suitable for the program, task, or project of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation to be undertaken;

c) Possessing a doctor’s diploma from the best 200 global universities according to prestigious international rankings and having at least 05 years of teaching, scientific research, technology development at a reputable research or training institution abroad in a major suitable for the program, task, or project of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation to be undertaken;

d) Possessing a doctor’s diploma and having worked for at least 2 years in a scientific research position in a program or project of international cooperation related to science and technology or in the research department of a reputable enterprise abroad;

dd) Having at least 10 international articles published in prestigious journals or being a member of the scientific council of prestigious journals or having successfully supervised at least 02 doctoral students;

e) In case the applicant does not meet the criteria defined at Points a, b, c, d and dd of this Clause, the agency, organization, or unit in need of expert selection shall decide on the selection of the experts to deploy the implementation of the  program, task, or project of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation and shall be responsible for that decision.

Article 4. Process for expert selection

1. An agency, organization, or unit assigned to assume the prime responsibility for the implementation of a program, task, or project of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation shall publicize the need for expert selection, including:  the position of expert, task requirements, criteria, and deadline for receipt of application dossiers.

2. The selection of experts meeting the criteria defined in Article 3 of this Decree shall be carried out through nomination and self-nomination mechanisms as follows:

a) Agencies, organizations, and units in need of expert selection shall actively seek and identify candidates;

b) Individuals self-nominate;

c) Representative agencies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam abroad and overseas Vietnamese communities nominate candidates;

d) Agencies, organizations, and experts in Vietnam and foreign countries nominate candidates.

3. The agency, organization, unit, or individual making the nomination and the self-nominating candidate shall send a dossier to the agency, organization, or unit in need of expert selection. Such a dossier includes:

a) Nomination or self-nomination document;

b) Scientific curriculum vitae (clearly stating the candidate's professional capacity, experience, and outstanding achievements);

c) Draft plan or scheme for the implementation of the program, task or project of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation according to the requirements of the expert position.

4. The agency, organization, or unit in need of expert selection shall check the validity of the dossier specified in Clause 3 of this Article. If the candidate meets the criteria defined in Article 3 of this Decree, a letter of invitation for signing of a labor contract shall be sent to the candidate; if necessary, an interview shall be conducted before signing of the labor contract.

5. The definite-term labor contract with the expert must clearly state the content of the tasks; the working duration; the working mechanism; rights and obligations; responsibilities; regimes and policies; contract termination; dispute resolution mechanism (if any) and other relevant contents.

Article 5. Rights and obligations of experts

An expert has the rights and obligations of an individual engaging in science, technology, and innovation activities as specified in Article 51 and Article 52 of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation. In addition, based on the requirements of the assigned position, the expert shall be entitled to exercise certain rights and obligations specified in the labor contract:

1. To decide on technical and technological issues and resolve technical problems within the scope of the assigned tasks;

2. To proactively select, and propose to the competent agency the mobilization of, scientific and technological human resources, scientific and technological organizations to participate in executing the tasks; to proactively select and use human resources within the scope of the assigned tasks;

3. To proactively decide on the use of assigned funding and resources, including the use of funding for the direct purchase of necessary foreign technology, products, and equipment, and technological know-how at an agreed price;

4. To receive favorable conditions and financial support for surveys and scientific exchanges with foreign scientists to update new technology;

5. Other rights and obligations (if any).

Article 6. Responsibilities of experts

1. To comply with Vietnamese law and relevant international law; to protect information and data regarding the programs, tasks, or projects on science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation within the scope of the assigned tasks in accordance with law regulations. To bear individual responsibility for any violation of obligations under the signed labor contracts that causes financial loss, asset loss, product damage, or leakage of state secret information or documents.

2. To respect the culture, customs, and practices of Vietnam.

3. To adhere to professional ethics, specialized requirements, honesty, objectivity, and responsibility in implementation of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation activities.

Article 7. Evaluation of experts’ performance

1. The evaluation of experts’ performance shall be carried out on an annual basis or after each stage of task implementation by the agencies, organizations, or units assigned to assume the prime responsibility for implementing programs, tasks, projects of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

2. Evaluation criteria include:

a) Progress of task implementation under the labor contract;

b) Quantity and quality of outputs as specified in the labor contract;

c) Proposals, initiatives, and applications of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation;

d) Ability to implement the coordination, connection, and handle problems arising during the process of task implementation;

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

3. The evaluation results shall be used as the basis for the agencies, organizations, or units in need of expert selection to implement the regime and policies or to terminate the labor contracts with the experts.

Section 2. POLICIES TOWARDS EXPERTS

Article 8. Salary, bonus, working conditions, and welfare regimes for experts

1. Salary of an expert shall be agreed upon in the labor contract signed the expert, ensuring it is commensurate with the assigned tasks and consistent with the salary level in the corresponding field of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation in the labor market.

2. Annual bonus of an expert shall be decided by the agency, organization, or unit assigned to assume the prime responsibility for the program, task, or project on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation based on the evaluation results of the assigned tasks, up to 04 months' salary stated in the expert’s labor contract.

3. Bonuses obtained from the leasing, sale, transfer of the rights to use, self-exploitation, and use of the results of the task of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; and from the results of the task of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation upon capital contribution, cooperation, joint ventures, service business, or enterprise establishment shall comply with Point a Clause 3 Article 28 of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation.

4. Experts shall receive an initial support equivalent to 01 month's salary stated in the labor contract for accommodation stabilization, relocation, and essential purchases.

5. Experts shall be supported in expenses for housing and means of transport, or be provided with standard apartments and means of transport during their tenure.

6. Being reimbursed for expenses for scientific exchange and research abroad under the assignment of the agencies, organizations, or units assuming the prime responsibility for the programs, tasks, or projects on science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation as required by the tasks.

7. Medical care, retreat, and annual leave:

a) Being provided with an annual voluntary health care package not exceeding 01% of the annual salary stated in the labor contract;

b) Annually, being entitled to 07 days for domestic retreat travel and supported with costs up to 01 month's salary stated in the labor contract for themselves and their family members (including their spouse and children under 18 years old);

c) Being entitled to leave in accordance with the labor law, and being provided with the cost of one round-trip airfare per year for the experts and their family members (including their spouse and children under 18 years old) to return to their home country.

8. Honor and commendation:

a) Experts shall be honored or recognized for their contributions when officially undertaking their tasks in Vietnam and upon conclusion and completion of their tasks specified in the labor contracts;

b) They shall have opportunities to meet with and being praised senior leaders of the Party and the State, and present their recommendations and proposals before them; participating in forums for experience sharing in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation;

c) Being commended in accordance with the Law on Emulation and Commendation; being received domestic and international titles and awards for science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Article 9. Policies towards experts upon fulfillment of assigned tasks

1. Foreign experts who wish to apply for Vietnamese nationality may be considered for a reduction in conditions for naturalization in accordance with law regulations.

2. Vietnamese experts who wish to work as civil servants or public employees in agencies, organizations, or units of the Party, the State, or socio-political organizations but have not yet fully met the standards and conditions as prescribed by law on civil servants or public employees may be considered and decided by competent agencies for receipt for working positions; they may also be considered for appointment to leadership and managerial positions in agencies, organizations, and units of the Party, the State, or socio-political organizations without meeting the requirements on age, planned position titles, political theory qualifications, or the duration of holding previous positions.

Article 10. Policies for experts’ family members

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

1. To receive support in finding schools and assistance with tuition fees for children under 18 years of age in public education and training institutions.

2. To be provided with an annual voluntary health care package for the family not exceeding 1% of the experts’ annual salary stated in the experts’ labor contracts.

3. To be assisted in job recommendation and facilitated in accessing suitable employment opportunities in accordance with the Labor Code and other relevant law regulations.

4. To be granted multiple-entry visas and temporary residence cards corresponding to the expert’s working duration (if any).

Article 11. Policies for agencies, organizations, and individuals nominating experts

After 12 months from the date of signing the labor contracts, if the experts meet the requirements of the assigned programs or tasks, the agencies, organizations, or individuals who have nominated such experts shall be awarded a bonus equivalent to 1 month’s salary stated in the experts’ labor contracts.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Article 12. Implementation expenses

The funding for the implementation of the regimes and policies specified in this Decree shall be allocated from the budget of implementation of programs, tasks, and projects on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Article 13. Application clauses

1. Experts referred to in this Decree who are also subject to other legal documents that provide for regimes and policies lower than those prescribed in this Decree shall apply the regimes and policies defined in this Decree for suitable agreement.

2. Experts referred to in this Decree who are eligible for multiple regimes and policies prescribed in different legal documents shall only be entitled to the highest regime or policy.

Article 14. Implementation responsibilities

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall:

a) Develop and submit to the competent authority for promulgation, or promulgate within its authority, the list of strategic technologies;

b) Develop the national database of experts in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

2. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall:

a) Guide and inspect the implementation of the policies specified in this Decree;

b) Implement or propose competent authorities to promptly praise, honor, reward, encourage and motivate experts, enterprises, organizations, and individuals with achievements in the development of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation through various forms.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall direct agencies under its management to develop programs for seeking, attracting, and supporting experts for nomination to agencies, organizations, and units in need of experts.

4. The Ministry of Education and Training shall prioritize sending Vietnamese citizens abroad for training and fostering courses under scholarship programs managed by the Ministry in order to develop a team of experts in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

5. The Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for balancing and proposing the allocation of the annual state budget for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in accordance with the law on state budget, the law on public investment, and other relevant sectoral management laws.

6. The Ministry of Public Security shall:

a) Assume the prime responsibility for guiding, inspecting, and supervising the work of protecting state secrets, cyber security, and information security and safety during the implementation of programs and tasks that use state secrets; organize training and provide guidance on technical procedures for confidentiality, document classification, and handling of cybersecurity incidents for units participating in the execution of particularly important scientific and technological tasks; implement professional measures to ensure personal security and safety and data security for experts;

b) Propose preferential policies on visas and temporary residence for experts defined in this Decree.

7. The Ministry of National Defense shall inspect the compliance of regulations on technical security, systems of integration of national defense technology, military data, cryptographic platforms, satellites, and secure communication.

8. The Ministry of Justice shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with relevant agencies to consider and report to the competent authority on the naturalization of foreign experts with distinguished contributions during the implementation of the tasks.

9. Ministries, central agencies, People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities shall:

a) Develop and propose programs, tasks, and projects on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation requiring expert recruitment;

b) Provide sufficiently data, records, and information related to programs, tasks, and projects on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; allocate resources and create favorable conditions for experts to perform their tasks; coordinate in handling technical, legal, and financial issues as proposed by experts;

c) Conduct inspection, supervision, and monitoring of programs, tasks, and projects involving experts; periodically report to the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Science and Technology on the implementation and results of experts’ tasks within their managed sectors or localities before November 15 each year, and concurrently send reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs for monitoring.

Article 15. Effect

This Decree takes effect on the date of its signing.

Article 16. Responsibility of implementation

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, and related organizations and individuals shall implement this Decree.