Vietnam seeks global top-20 talent ranking with recruitment policy changes
Conclusion No. 105 proposes annual state spending of about 0.1 per cent of GDP on talent initiatives, alongside changes to incentives for skilled professionals.
Vietnam has set a 2045 goal of reaching the global top 20 for talent competitiveness, with a policy conclusion calling for changes to recruitment and incentives. It also proposes devoting about 0.1 per cent of gross domestic product each year to talent programmes through the state budget.
Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Deputy Prime Minister and secretary of the Party Central Committee, presented Conclusion No. 105, which addresses attracting talent and encouraging skilled people to stay. The proposed measures span pay, tax, accommodation, immigration and welfare provisions for professionals and their families.
Overseas Vietnamese and experts from other countries are among those Vietnam wants to attract. The conclusion urges changes in the identification, selection, deployment and assessment of talent, drawing candidates from domestic and overseas sources. It also advocates international partnerships and directing resources into industries designated as strategic or high priority.
Vietnam's position in the 2025 talent competitiveness index was 76th among 135 economies, placing it fifth within ASEAN. Its rankings for individual components were 71st for enabling talent development, 76th for attraction, 67th for development and 79th for retention.
More than 1,500 outstanding graduates and young scientists have entered public-sector positions through recruitment or talent-attraction efforts since 2018. Companies including Viettel, Vingroup, Petrovietnam, VNPT, FPT and Phenikaa have also used opportunities on major technology projects to draw skilled professionals.
