The city says competitive salaries are no longer enough to attract and retain experts in fields important to its development. Its strategy combines flexible recruitment with modern research infrastructure, greater professional autonomy and evaluation based on results.
At the HCM High-Tech Agriculture Park, demand is growing as research expands into biotechnology, gene editing, robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, digital technology and the green transition in agriculture. Between 2015 and 2023, the park hired seven scientists specialising in plant and animal breeding and applied biotechnology.
Nguyen Thanh Hien, the park's deputy head, said recruitment must be accompanied by effective use, support and empowerment. The park sets tasks, expected results, timelines and professional authority in advance, and prepares working conditions and research facilities before scientists arrive.
The park respects independent scientific views and considers technical feedback. Experts can propose solutions, choose research methods and carry out tasks within their authority.
Managers acknowledge that high-tech agriculture still lacks clear recruitment criteria. Some scientists have strong academic credentials and many international publications but limited production experience. Others have fewer academic qualifications but can master processes, solve practical problems and transfer technology from laboratories to production lines.
Demand for qualified staff is expected to grow as the network of high-tech agricultural parks expands. The park currently needs nine specialists in strategic planning, biotechnology, crop and livestock production, aquaculture, digital transformation and AI systems.
At the Saigon High-Tech Park laboratories, demand is tied to priority technology development and international integration. Before 2018, several foreign experts worked there on strategic research and consultancy, but compensation then fell sharply. Together with the impact of COVID-19, this made recruitment harder.
Since 2022, the laboratories have contracted two foreign experts. One is a scientific director, while the other leads a gas sensor project for biomedicine, smart cities and agriculture.
The Department of Science and Technology said the city needs 43 senior personnel: 39 experts, three exceptional talents and one project architect.
The city changes its approach to attracting specialists
Ho Chi Minh City is developing a policy covering identification, recruitment, assignment, remuneration, evaluation and retention. It has three tracks: attraction, recruitment and selection. Experts will be contracted for key programmes, while the city will recruit new high-level personnel and select strong candidates from its existing workforce.
Pay will be linked to contributions. Specialists hired under special attraction contracts may receive a one-off allowance of 15 to 100 times the Region I minimum wage, or VND80 million to VND530 million ($3,080-$20,400). Their projected monthly income is 20 to 50 times the regional minimum wage, or VND100 million to VND265 million ($3,850-$10,200). Pay will also be linked to the value of commercialised products.
For regular high-level personnel, monthly income support will be linked to performance evaluations.
The city plans to set major national and municipal tasks, provide access to laboratories and data, and allocate research funding, equipment and support staff.
Trinh Xuan Thang, director of the laboratories, said the city is focusing on major tasks and recognition for Vietnamese specialists. He said foreign experts should be allowed to hold positions abroad, work remotely and be assessed by deliverables rather than administrative hours.
He proposed initial research funding of VND300 million to VND500 million ($11,550-$19,250) a year, depending on the scientist's position. The money would let newly recruited specialists start work without waiting for lengthy project approval procedures.
Sources: Vietnam News
