Decree No. 249/2025/NĐ-CP on mechanisms and policies to attract experts in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation

DECREE

Regulations on mechanisms and policies to attract scientific experts, technological experts, innovation, and digital transformation

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

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

Pursuant to the Law on Public Officials No. 58/2010/QH12; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Civil Servants and the Law on Public Officials No. 52/2019/QH14;

BASED ON THE LAW ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION NUMBER 93/2025/QH15;

||| Based on the proposal of the Minister of Home Affairs;

The Government promulgates this Decree stipulating mechanisms and policies to attract scientific experts, technological experts, innovation, and digital transformation.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

Article 1. This Decree stipulates mechanisms and policies for attracting experts, including criteria; selection procedures; rights and obligations; responsibilities; evaluation; policies for scientific experts, technological experts, innovation, and digital transformation.

Article 2. This Decree does not apply to Chief Engineers and Chief Architects as prescribed in Decree No. 231/2025/NĐ-CP dated August 26, 2025 of the Government on the recruitment and utilization of Chief Engineers and Chief Architects in national science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, and leading experts and scientists as prescribed in Decree No. 103/2025/NĐ-CP dated May 15, 2025 of the Government on certain policies for core defense industry establishments, core security industry establishments, and the regime and policies for workers in core defense industry establishments and core security industry establishments.

Article 2. Applicability

Article 3. Individuals who are Vietnamese citizens residing abroad and foreigners meeting the criteria for experts as prescribed in this Decree may be nominated, self-nominated, or selected as experts.

Article 4. Agencies, organizations, units of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front, political and social organizations at central and local levels, armed forces, and enterprises assigned to lead the implementation of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation programs, tasks, and projects.

Article 5. Other relevant agencies, organizations, units, and individuals.

Chapter II

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Section 1

CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCEDURES; RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS; RESPONSIBILITIES; EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION RESULTS OF TASKS BY EXPERTS

Article 3. Criteria for selecting experts

Clause 1. Experts as prescribed in this Decree are persons with knowledge, qualifications, and experience in research in one or more fields of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, meeting the criteria specified in Clauses 2 and 3 of this Article.

Clause 2. General criteria:

a) Leading or participating in the implementation of science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation tasks, prioritizing strategic technologies and strategic technology products in the list of strategic technologies and strategic technology products issued by the competent authority, making substantial contributions to the development of the country, region, and internationally;

b) Having a clear record and good morals;

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

Clause 3. Simultaneously meeting one of the following specific criteria:

a) Being the author or co-author of an invention protected by intellectual property rights that has been applied and transferred to create practical value products; or having deep expertise and rich experience in a field suitable for the tasks to be implemented in Vietnam and currently working in the research department of a reputable foreign research institute, university, or enterprise;

b) Being the author or co-author of outstanding scientific and technological research works that have won international awards or have been widely applied with significant practical effects and are consistent with the planned science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation programs, tasks, and projects;

c) Holding a doctorate from universities ranked among the top 200 globally according to reputable international rankings and having at least five years of teaching, scientific research, and technology development at reputable foreign research and training institutions in a field consistent with the planned science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation programs, tasks, and projects;

d) Holding a doctorate and having worked for at least five years in a research position in international cooperation programs on science and technology or in the research department of a reputable foreign enterprise;

đ) Having published at least ten international articles in prestigious journals or being a member of the editorial board of reputable journals or successfully guiding at least two doctoral candidates;

e) In cases where candidates do not meet the criteria specified in Points a, b, c, d, and đ of this Clause, the agency, organization, or unit requiring the recruitment of experts shall decide on the recruitment of experts to implement the science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation programs, tasks, and projects and shall be responsible for such decision.

Article 4. Selection process for experts

1. The agencies, organizations, units entrusted to implement scientific and technological programs, tasks, innovation projects, and digital transformation must announce their need to select experts, including the position of the expert, task requirements, criteria, and the deadline for receiving applications.

2. The selection of experts who meet the criteria stipulated in Article 3 of this Decree shall be conducted through nomination and self-nomination mechanisms as follows:

a) Agencies, organizations, and units requiring the selection of experts actively seek and identify candidates.

b) Individuals may self-nominate.

c) Overseas representative offices of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and overseas Vietnamese communities may nominate candidates.

d) Domestic and foreign agencies, organizations, and experts may nominate candidates.

3. The nominating agencies, organizations, units, individuals, and self-nominated candidates shall submit their application documents to the agency, organization, or unit requiring the selection of experts. The application package includes:

a) Nomination letter or self-nomination letter;

b) Scientific curriculum vitae (detailing professional expertise, experience, and outstanding achievements) of the candidate;

c) Draft plan or proposal for implementing the scientific and technological program, task, innovation project, and digital transformation according to the requirements of the expert position.

4. The agency, organization, or unit requiring the selection of experts shall verify the validity of the application documents as specified in Clause 3 of this Article. If the candidate meets the criteria stipulated in Article 3 of this Decree, they shall be invited to sign a labor contract; if necessary, an interview shall be conducted before signing the labor contract.

5. A labor contract with a fixed term for an expert must clearly state the content of the task; working period; working mechanism; rights and obligations; responsibilities; benefits and policies; termination of the contract; dispute resolution mechanism (if applicable); and other related contents.

Article 5. Rights and Obligations of Experts

Experts have the rights and obligations of individuals engaged in scientific and technological activities and innovation as stipulated in Articles 51 and 52 of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation. Additionally, based on the requirements of the assigned position, experts shall perform certain rights and obligations recorded in the labor contract:

1. To decide technical and technological issues and resolve technical difficulties within the scope of the assigned task.

2. To independently choose and propose competent authorities to mobilize scientific and technological human resources; organize participation in tasks; and independently select and utilize human resources within the scope of the assigned task.

3. To independently decide on the use of allocated funds and resources, including using funds to directly purchase necessary foreign technology, products, equipment, and trade secrets at agreed prices.

4. To be provided with conditions and financial support for scientific exchanges with foreign scientists to update new technologies.

5. Other rights and obligations (if any).

Article 6. Responsibilities of Experts

1. To comply with Vietnamese laws and relevant international laws; protect information and data about scientific and technological programs, tasks, innovation projects, and digital transformation within the scope of the assigned task as prescribed by law. They shall bear personal responsibility if they violate the signed labor contract, causing financial loss, property waste, product damage, or leaking state confidential information and documents.

2. To respect Vietnamese culture, customs, and traditions.

3. To adhere to professional ethics, specialized requirements, honesty, objectivity, and a sense of responsibility in scientific and technological activities, innovation, and digital transformation.

Article 7. Evaluation of the results of the expert's performance of tasks

1. The evaluation of the results of the expert's performance of tasks shall be conducted by the agency, organization, or unit responsible for implementing the program, task, or project on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, according to annual periodicity or after each implementation phase.

2. Evaluation criteria:

a) Progress in implementing the task as stipulated in the labor contract;

b) Quantity and quality of output products as stipulated in the labor contract;

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

d) Coordination, connection, and handling of arising issues during the implementation process;

e) Sense of responsibility, dedication spirit, and cooperation in work.

3. The evaluation results will serve as the basis for agencies, organizations, or units requiring to select experts to implement policies or terminate the labor contract with the expert.

Section 2

POLICIES FOR EXPERTS

Article 8. Salary, bonuses, working conditions, and welfare benefits for experts

1. The salary for experts shall be agreed upon in the labor contract, ensuring commensurability with the assigned tasks and alignment with the prevailing salary levels in the market for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

2. Annual bonuses shall be decided by the agency, organization, or unit responsible for implementing the program, task, or project on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation based on the evaluation results of the assigned task completion, not exceeding four months' salary as recorded in the labor contract.

3. Bonuses from leasing, selling, transferring, or transferring rights to use, self-exploitation, or utilization of scientific and technological research outcomes, innovation, and digital transformation results when contributing capital, cooperating, joint ventures, joint operations, service provision, or business establishment shall be implemented in accordance with point a, Clause 3, Article 28 of the Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation.

4. Initial support of one month's salary as recorded in the labor contract for accommodation stabilization, relocation, and essential purchases.

5. Housing rental support, transportation expenses, or provision of standard housing and transportation during the period of serving as an expert.

6. Reimbursement of travel expenses for scientific research and exchange abroad when dispatched by the agency, organization, or unit responsible for the program, task, or project on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation according to task requirements.

7. Health care, rest, and leave during the year:

a) Provision of a voluntary health care package annually not exceeding one percent of the annual salary recorded in the labor contract;

b) Each year, seven days of domestic rest leave and financial support up to one month's salary recorded in the labor contract for the expert and family members (including spouse and children under 18 years old);

c) Leave in accordance with labor laws, with reimbursement of round-trip airfare once a year for the expert and family members (including spouse and children under 18 years old) returning home.

8. Regarding honor and awards:

a) Honoring or recognizing the contributions of experts when officially accepting tasks in Vietnam and upon completion of the tasks as stipulated in the labor contract;

b) Meeting with high-level Party and State leaders, being commended, and reporting recommendations and proposals; participating in forums to exchange experiences on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation;

c) Awarded in accordance with the Law on Competition and Rewards; receiving titles and awards for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation both domestically and internationally, in compliance with Vietnamese law.

Article 9. Policy for Experts After Completion of Tasks

1. Foreign experts who wish to have reduced conditions considered when applying for Vietnamese citizenship according to the provisions of the law shall be eligible.

2. Vietnamese experts who wish to work as civil servants or public officials in Party, State agencies, political-social organizations but do not yet meet the required standards and conditions stipulated by the law on civil servants and public officials shall be considered and decided upon by the competent authority to take up positions; they may be appointed to leadership and management positions within Party, State agencies, and political-social organizations without necessarily meeting age requirements, planned career positions, theoretical political qualifications, or consecutive term duration.

Article 10. Policy for Family Members of Experts

In addition to the policies enjoyed together with experts as specified in points b and c, Clause 7, Article 8 of this Decree, family members of experts (including: spouse, children under 18 years old) when residing in Vietnam shall also enjoy the following policies:

1. Assistance in finding schools and support for tuition fees for children under 18 years old in public educational institutions.

2. Provision of a voluntary health care package for the family annually not exceeding 01% of the annual salary recorded in the labor contract of the expert.

3. Introduction and facilitation of access to suitable job opportunities in accordance with the Labor Code and other relevant laws.

4. Issuance of multiple-entry visas and temporary residence cards corresponding to the working period of the expert (if applicable).

Article 11. Policy for Agencies, Organizations, and Individuals Nominating Experts

After 12 months from the date of signing the labor contract, if the expert meets the program and task requirements, the agency, organization, or individual that nominated the expert shall be rewarded with one month's salary as recorded in the expert's labor contract.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 12. Implementation Funding

The funding for implementing the benefits and policies stipulated in this Decree shall be allocated within the budget for implementing scientific and technological programs, tasks, and projects on innovation and digital transformation.

Article 13. Application Provisions

1. If experts stipulated in this Decree fall under the application scope of other documents with lower benefit and policy provisions than those stipulated in this Decree, the benefit and policy provisions of this Decree shall be applied to negotiate accordingly.

2. If experts stipulated in this Decree are eligible for multiple benefits and policies stipulated in different documents, they shall only be entitled to the highest benefit or policy.

Article 14. Responsibilities for Implementation

1. Ministry of Science and Technology:

a) Develop and submit to the competent authority for issuance or issue within its authority the list of strategic technologies;

b) Establish a national database of science and technology experts, innovators, and digital transformation experts.

2. Ministry of Home Affairs:

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

b) Implement or propose the competent authority to commend, honor, and reward experts and enterprises, organizations, and individuals with outstanding achievements in developing science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation through various forms.

3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall direct subordinate agencies under its jurisdiction to develop programs to search for, attract, and support experts to nominate to agencies, organizations, and units requiring expert recruitment.

4. Ministry of Education and Training shall prioritize sending Vietnamese citizens abroad for training and development through scholarship programs managed by the Ministry to build a team of experts in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

5. Ministry of Finance shall be responsible for balancing and proposing the state budget allocation annually for the field of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in accordance with the state budget law, public investment law, and industry management laws.

6. Ministry of Public Security:

a) Lead in guiding, inspecting, and supervising the protection of state secrets, cyber security, and information security during the implementation of programs and tasks involving state secrets; provide training and guidance on technical security procedures, document classification, and handling cyber incidents for units participating in important scientific and technological tasks; implement measures to ensure personal safety and data security for experts;

b) Propose preferential policies regarding visas and temporary residence for experts stipulated in this Decree.

7. Ministry of National Defense shall inspect the implementation of regulations on technical security, integrated defense technology systems, military data, cryptographic platforms, satellites, and secure communications.

8. Ministry of Justice shall lead and coordinate with related agencies to examine and report to the competent authority on the granting of Vietnamese citizenship to foreign experts who have made significant contributions during the implementation of tasks.

9. Ministries, central agencies, provincial People's Committees, and municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for:

a) Developing and proposing programs, tasks, and projects in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation requiring expert recruitment;

b) Providing complete data, files, and information related to scientific and technological programs, tasks, and projects; allocating resources and creating conditions for experts to carry out their tasks; coordinating to resolve technical, legal, and financial issues proposed by experts;

c) Inspecting, supervising programs, tasks, and projects involving experts; reporting periodically to the Government, Prime Minister, and Ministry of Science and Technology on the situation and results of expert tasks within their fields and localities before November 15 each year, while sending reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs for monitoring.

Article 15. Effective Date

This Decree takes effect from the date of issuance.

Article 16. Responsibility for Implementation

Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and municipal People's Committees, and related organizations and individuals are responsible for enforcing this Decree.