In order to promote innovation, Vietnam is strengthening its legislative arsenal to support its young scientists. Between preferential policies and structural reforms, the goal is to remove administrative obstacles to retain talent.
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The Resolution No. 57 of December 22, 2024 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in scientific and technological development, innovation, and national digital transformation has opened up new prospects for scientists, especially young researchers. The Law on Science, Technology, and Innovation, adopted by the National Assembly on June 27, 2025, has clarified state regulations, guaranteeing the rights and interests of young scientists.
The government’s Decree No. 236, which details and guides the implementation of certain points of this law, specifies the criteria and preferential policies for talented young scientists. A talented young scientist is recognized when they meet criteria such as being under 35 years old, holding a doctoral degree, receiving prestigious distinctions nationally or internationally in the fields of science, technology, and innovation, and having published at least five scientific articles in internationally recognized journals in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
– Transforming research into an economic engine
Additionally, they must be responsible for a scientific, technological, or innovative project within a national program, the final evaluation of which confirms the achievement of set objectives.
For young people in social science and humanities, the conditions include publishing at least five scientific articles in journals with an ISSN code listed in the annual evaluation by the Council of professors by discipline or interdisciplinary, with at least three articles in internationally recognized journals according to the regulations of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Talented young scientists recognized under the Decree No. 236 will benefit from priorities in recruitment, favorable conditions for establishing strong research teams, and funding to implement their ideas in their field of expertise. They will also have priority for fully funded short-term internships and missions abroad, may be designated as project leaders in scientific, technological, and innovation projects by competent authorities, while benefiting from other preferential policies provided by regulations.
In recent years, numerous events and activities aimed at promoting the spirit of learning and scientific research among young people have multiplied. The Communist Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh City honors young scientists each year through the “Golden Globe” and “Pavilion of the Literature Constellation” awards, reserved for young researchers who have made significant contributions in the field of social sciences and humanities. In educational institutions, various programs and activities encouraging students to engage in scientific research are organized on a large scale every year.
According to Dr. D’ Thi Kim Anh from the Institute of Human Geography and Sustainable Development under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, young scientists are currently facing systemic bottlenecks.
The scientific management mechanism is still heavily marked by cumbersome administrative procedures: approval processes, final evaluation, and financial regulations are complex, depleting researchers’ time and energy.
Resource limitations also pose a major obstacle, whether in terms of funding, material infrastructure, or data. For young researchers, access to these resources is even more difficult due to a lack of academic positions and professional networks.
– Granting autonomy to scientists
In reality, remuneration policies and career prospects remain unattractive. Research-derived incomes remain low, publication pressure is high, and opportunities for career advancement are not clearly defined. This situation leads to psychological instability, forcing some researchers to engage in unrelated activities or even to redirect their careers.
In some places, the academic environment and innovation ecosystem are not truly open yet. A mentality that favors seniority over skills persists, without sufficiently encouraging the young to experiment and take risks. At the same time, the links between institutes, universities, and businesses remain weak, preventing many research outcomes from being applied in practice. Support policies for young scientists are considered positive but require transparent and fair implementation mechanisms to allow them to progress confidently on their path.
Dr. D’ Thi Kim Anh emphasizes the need for profound reform of the scientific management system, providing more autonomy, reducing administrative procedures, and focusing on result evaluation. It is necessary to strategically invest in programs for young researchers, create specific research funds based on transparent competitive mechanisms, develop open research infrastructures and a national system of accessible databases.
In the long term, it is essential to innovate remuneration policies by linking them to research results, establish clear and transparent career paths, and expand international integration opportunities for young intellectuals. Additionally, developing the innovation ecosystem, strengthening links between institutes, universities, and businesses, and encouraging businesses to commission research and support scientific and technological entrepreneurship are crucial.
– Nguyễn Thành/CVN
