Vietnam to offer globally competitive salaries to attract digital tech talent

Nguyen Khac Lich, head of the Authority of ICT Industry under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the law will create a pioneering legal framework to advance Vietnam's digital technology sector.

The law was approved by the National Assembly and will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Designed to promote innovation, production, and design in Vietnam, the law includes exceptional incentives for digital tech companies and human capital development.

Lich emphasized that Vietnam aims to compete on equal footing with global markets in attracting top digital talent.

“Digital technology professionals will benefit from competitive salaries and bonuses equivalent to global standards,” he said.

“They will also receive housing support, improved living conditions, and be eligible for honors and awards under national regulations.”

To build a strong workforce, the Vietnamese government will offer financial support to students and professionals working in digital tech firms or at specialized industrial centers.

Local and central government agencies will help fund skill development and retraining programs.

One major breakthrough is the inclusion of overseas Vietnamese and foreign nationals in the pool of eligible talent.

Foreign professionals can obtain five-year temporary residence cards, renewable under Vietnamese law. Their spouses and children under 18 will also receive similar support.

High-skilled professionals in the digital technology sector will also enjoy five years of personal income tax exemption.

Vietnamese citizens with high-level qualifications will be allowed to enter the public sector, including leadership roles, without being subject to minimum work experience or planning requirements.

Former civil servants who previously worked in tech companies can also return to state-run agencies, retaining or even improving their previous salary and benefit levels.

These individuals will be considered special cases when being considered for management or leadership positions, depending on the agency’s needs.