Hanoi attracts global talent for tech breakthroughs

THE HANOI TIMES — The Hanoi People’s Committee is drafting a resolution to implement special policies to promote science, technology, and innovation (STI) as a new growth engine for the capital city, according to the Hanoimoi Newspaper.

The draft aims to create a strong legal corridor to attract top-tier experts, scientists, and talented individuals from within Vietnam and abroad, including overseas Vietnamese, to contribute to Hanoi’s development.

This effort concretizes Article 16 of the revised Capital Law 2024 and is expected to address long-standing bottlenecks in human resource utilization, allowing skilled individuals to serve Hanoi’s transformation.

Creating policy breakthroughs

The capital is home to a wealth of leading intellectuals, but not enough elite experts capable of driving innovation, transferring technology, and fostering global linkages. 

The new draft resolution proposes targeted, flexible policies to engage two key groups: high-achieving Vietnamese citizens, both domestic and overseas, and international experts with a proven record of applied research and innovation. 

These individuals will collaborate on research, facilitate technology transfer, provide consulting services, and participate in scientific councils. The new draft resolution will grant agency heads the power to directly select experts based on operational requirements, reducing bureaucracy and improving alignment.

Remuneration packages will adhere to international standards, allowing income to be negotiated based on foreign salaries. Experts will also receive allowances for airfare, accommodations up to VND50 million (US$1,912) per month, work equipment, assistants, and translation services. They will have access to advanced laboratories and play key roles in major innovation programs. 

Recommendations

According to local insiders, policies must go beyond financial incentives. The most critical factor is an effective work environment that empowers experts to realize their full potential. 

Duong Thi Thanh Mai, former Director of the Institute for Strategy and Legal Science at the Ministry of Justice, emphasized Hanoi's need to prioritize fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and digital transformation. She also called on Hanoi to recruit interdisciplinary leaders with global experience, not only top researchers.

"To unlock their full potential, experts need clear mandates, performance-based contracts, and flexible mechanisms, such as the ability to work in both public roles and private ventures," she said.

Bui Thi Minh Hong, from VinUni, noted: "As a scientist returning from overseas, I care most about whether the institution has a bold vision and is addressing real-world challenges. Scientists aren’t looking for convenience; they want to learn, innovate, and contribute."

She said that a thriving research ecosystem with well-defined goals and large-scale, socially meaningful projects is key. "Competitive pay is important, but top minds will only come if they see a genuine opportunity to contribute and are respected for their scientific value," Hong said.