Ho Chi Minh City National University pays the lowest salary of 20-35 million VND/month to scientists.

Outstanding scientists when coming to Ho Chi Minh City National University receive a salary of 20-35 million VND/month, along with many incentives such as being assigned a project worth 0.2-1 billion VND, and one-time support of 60-350 million VND.

On the morning of February 28, Ho Chi Minh City National University held a seminar on "Attracting, retaining and developing excellent young scientists and leading scientists".

Dr. Le Thi Anh Tram, Head of the Personnel Organization Department, said that in the first phase of 2024, this university wants to recruit 65 scientists with a doctorate degree or higher, who have studied and researched abroad, and are capable of teaching and independent research according to the VNU350 project.

Candidates are divided into two groups: Young Scientists and Leading Scientists.

Group 1 must meet at least one of four criteria: having articles published in prestigious scientific journals and conferences; having inventions and patents; having transferred scientific and technological products; having new and promising research directions. In the first two years, they will be assigned a type C scientific research topic (maximum budget of 200 million VND). In the third year, this group will receive a type B topic with a budget of up to 1 billion VND; and will be supported with up to 10 billion VND to invest in laboratories in the fourth year. In the fifth year, the school will support them with the registration procedures to meet the standards for the title of associate professor.

Group 2 (leading scientists) must meet 5 criteria: head of a research group or laboratory; preside over a scientific and technological topic or project; have publications in prestigious scientific journals or own exclusive invention or patent rights; have experience in teaching and guiding graduate students; have domestic and international relationships and cooperation.

Ho Chi Minh City National University ensures that this group will be assigned a category B scientific research project with a maximum budget of VND1 billion. In the following years, they will be supported to invest up to VND30 billion in laboratories and establish a strong research group.

Dr. Tram said that Ho Chi Minh City National University is hosting many science and technology programs, so scientists can rest assured about this commitment.

In addition, they receive separate salaries and benefits, depending on their workplace. Currently, a PhD receives a salary based on their rank of 5.4 million VND, with a salary based on their job position of about 15-30 million VND per month.

Some member units also have a one-time attraction policy such as the University of Economics and Law, which spends 350 million VND for professor candidates, 250 million VND for associate professors and 150 million VND for PhDs. For An Giang University, this level is 60 million VND.

Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Hai Quan shares policies to attract talent, morning of February 28. Photo: VNUHCM

Associate Professor Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Director of Ho Chi Minh City National University, believes that there are three important factors to attract excellent scientists to work. The first is the space for autonomy and creativity, or in other words, empowerment. The second is the space for contribution and dedication, and the last is the opportunity for development and advancement. Therefore, the policies that this university has mentioned above are quite practical and reasonable.

"I have been very concerned because for a long time we have had many different policies but they have not been successful and I realize that we must have practical policies, if they are too idealistic, they will be difficult to implement," said Mr. Quan.

The director of Ho Chi Minh City National University told his own story when he returned to work in Vietnam in 2007, with a salary of only 3-4 million VND per month, no house, having to take care of his family and countless other difficulties. At that time, receiving a research topic with a budget of 60 million VND was very valuable.

Associate Professor Dr. Mai Thanh Phong, Principal of the University of Technology, said that the school's salary and income regime is based on the contributions of lecturers. The average income of a professor is 60 million VND per month, an associate professor is about 50 million VND, and a young doctor who has just joined the school is about 25 million VND.

At the University of Information Technology, the income of PhDs and professors is about 35-65 million a month, depending on the position. At the University of Economics and Law, this level is 28-51 million.

This is high compared to the average salary of lecturers nationwide. A report at the end of 2021 by the Ministry of Education and Training said that 60% of university lecturers only receive a salary of 8.3-12.5 million VND per month.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Cong Gia Khanh, Rector of the University of Economics and Law, in addition to salary, the school determines to create a space for development and creativity, so that scientists feel that their efforts and abilities are appreciated. He believes that when combining the general policies of Ho Chi Minh City National University and its member units, scientists will have good treatment and working environment.

Associate Professor, Dr. Mai Thanh Phong at the seminar on February 28. Photo: Le Nguyen

The two national universities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, are the key training institutions of the country. Ho Chi Minh City National University wants to be in the top 100 in Asia, while Hanoi National University wants to be in the top 500 universities in the world, by 2030.

To do this, increasing the number of international publications is very important because this is a criterion that has a high weight in the rankings. Currently, both universities are in the top 800-1,000.

Late last year, Hanoi National University also announced a strategy to attract outstanding scientists, investing a maximum of VND3 billion for each person to conduct research for three years.

Le Nguyen

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