Vietnam proposes pay of up to VND300m a month for tech chief engineers

Vietnam proposes pay of up to VND300m a month for tech chief engineers

4 October 2026: Chief engineers who lead strategic research and development programmes in Vietnam could earn up to VND300 million (US$11,500) a month under a proposed funding framework, VnExpress reports. The same framework would let the state pay up to 100% of the cost of government-commissioned projects.

Not yet independently verified. Single source: one news outlet's report of a conference on 23 September. We have not seen the ministry's guidelines or an official notice. We will update this when it can be confirmed, and remove this note.

Officials presented the updated financial guidelines at a national conference on breakthrough science, technology and innovation programmes on 23 September. Dao Ngoc Chien, head of the executive office at the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development, said the pay packages drawn up by the Ministry of Science and Technology are meant to be globally competitive.

The figures are ceilings, not fixed rates. Project directors are eligible for up to VND150 million a month, core researchers for VND90 million to VND120 million depending on seniority, and technical support staff for VND45 million. Chien said companies, research institutions and universities can propose up to these levels, but every proposal "must still undergo rigorous appraisal and approval by the program review board".

State support depends on the type of project:

• Projects commissioned directly by the government to master core technologies, strengthen defence and security, or take on high-stakes scientific risk can receive up to 100% public funding.
• Initiatives that yield products with immediate commercial potential can receive up to 70% state backing, with the recipient covering the rest.

Each project will have its own milestones with measurable deliverables and dedicated budget lines, and funds will be released stage by stage. Intellectual property generated by the programmes passes to the participating organisations for commercial use, unless it is explicitly designated as state-owned.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh said the state commissions research but does not mean to displace market forces. Commissions must come from real product demand, with end users named, and firms, research centres and universities should join early to set out products and delivery plans.

The report calls the scheme a proposal, and no call for projects or closing date is given.

Sources

• VnExpress International: Chief engineers at key tech missions eligible for monthly salaries of $12,000, 4 October 2026