Vietnam is actively seeking to attract top talent in science, technology and innovation, introducing new laws and policies to create a favorable environment. Key initiatives in this regard are the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation and the Law on Digital Technology Industry. The former significantly expands the rights of researchers, granting them intellectual property rights, freedom to commercialize their developments, and greater autonomy in financial management. It also obliges the state to provide special incentives such as housing support, long-term career opportunities, and favorable conditions for both domestic and foreign talent choosing Vietnam.
Meanwhile, the Law on Digital Technology Industry, passed in June 2025, recognizes the sector as a fundamental driver of economic growth, prioritizing the development of semiconductors, artificial intelligence ecosystems, and digital assets, and providing special support policies for enterprises and experts working in these cutting-edge fields. Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology plans to issue additional decrees and circulars soon to effectively implement these laws, ensuring compliance with existing regulations while reducing administrative burdens that could discourage talent from long-term commitments.
Vietnam faces an urgent need to attract top scientists, which is key to achieving the country’s development goals. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung stressed that many highly qualified Vietnamese professionals are already working in prestigious institutions overseas, while some young scientists return home after studying abroad, enriching various industries.
Meanwhile, the Law on Digital Technology Industry, passed in June 2025, recognizes the sector as a fundamental driver of economic growth, prioritizing the development of semiconductors, artificial intelligence ecosystems, and digital assets, and providing special support policies for enterprises and experts working in these cutting-edge fields. Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology plans to issue additional decrees and circulars soon to effectively implement these laws, ensuring compliance with existing regulations while reducing administrative burdens that could discourage talent from long-term commitments.
Vietnam faces an urgent need to attract top scientists, which is key to achieving the country’s development goals. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung stressed that many highly qualified Vietnamese professionals are already working in prestigious institutions overseas, while some young scientists return home after studying abroad, enriching various industries.
However, to bring back and attract talent en masse, it is necessary to create a more professional and dynamic research environment in Vietnam that offers competitive salaries, advanced equipment and long-term career prospects. In response to this need, Party Secretary General To Lam has ordered special incentives to attract at least 100 top experts, while the Ministry of Science and Technology has been ordered to complete the National Talent Attraction Strategy by September this year. Former Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan and NASA expert Dr. Nguyen Trong Hien both stressed that for Vietnam to become a high-income developed country by 2045, especially in cutting-edge fields such as space research, the country must not only invest but also actively attract world-class scientists.
However, Dr. Hien emphasized that in addition to funding, providing researchers with “real freedom” and creating an “open, supportive environment” are equally important factors in successfully attracting outstanding scientists from abroad. Businesses have high expectations for the creation of a favorable environment for innovation, proposing specific support measures. In particular, industry representatives believe that policies should allow experts to jointly own research results and shares in the companies they establish, as well as provide tax, housing and social benefits. In response to these expectations and in the spirit of the Politburo Resolution 57-NQ/TW, which aims to promote breakthrough development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, the Ministry of Science and Technology is developing comprehensive measures. This includes programs to attract Vietnamese scientists from abroad through special financial support, creating favorable conditions for research and career growth.
In addition, significant investments will be made to upgrade research infrastructure, establish international standards centers, high-tech zones and technology incubators. Administrative barriers will be reduced, autonomy will be increased and sufficient resources will be provided for research and technology testing, and the research process evaluation mechanism will be largely focused on results such as international publications, patents or commercialized products.
However, Dr. Hien emphasized that in addition to funding, providing researchers with “real freedom” and creating an “open, supportive environment” are equally important factors in successfully attracting outstanding scientists from abroad. Businesses have high expectations for the creation of a favorable environment for innovation, proposing specific support measures. In particular, industry representatives believe that policies should allow experts to jointly own research results and shares in the companies they establish, as well as provide tax, housing and social benefits. In response to these expectations and in the spirit of the Politburo Resolution 57-NQ/TW, which aims to promote breakthrough development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, the Ministry of Science and Technology is developing comprehensive measures. This includes programs to attract Vietnamese scientists from abroad through special financial support, creating favorable conditions for research and career growth.
In addition, significant investments will be made to upgrade research infrastructure, establish international standards centers, high-tech zones and technology incubators. Administrative barriers will be reduced, autonomy will be increased and sufficient resources will be provided for research and technology testing, and the research process evaluation mechanism will be largely focused on results such as international publications, patents or commercialized products.