3 salary and allowance policies take effect from January 1, 2026

Officially increase regional minimum wage

The Government issued Decree No. 293/2025/ND-CP stipulating the minimum wage for employees working under labor contracts, effective from January 1, 2026.

According to Decree 293/2025/ND-CP, the minimum monthly salary in 4 regions is stipulated as follows: Region I: increased by 350,000 VND, from 4,960,000 VND/month to 5,310,000 VND/month; Region II: increased by 320,000 VND, from 4,410,000 VND/month to 4,730,000 VND/month; Region III: increased by 280,000 VND from 3,860,000 VND/month to 4,140,000 VND/month; Region IV: increased by 250,000 VND from 3,450,000 VND/month to 3,700,000 VND/month.

The minimum hourly wage in region I increases from 23,800 VND/hour to 25,500 VND/hour, region II from 21,200 VND/hour to 22,700 VND/hour, region III from 18,600 VND/hour to 20,000 VND/hour, region IV from 16,600 VND/hour to 17,800 VND/hour.

Thus, the above minimum wage increases from 250,000 VND - 350,000 VND/month (equivalent to an average rate of 7.2%) compared to the current minimum wage stipulated in Decree 74/2024/ND-CP.

Teachers' salaries are prioritized as the highest

The Law on Teachers has 9 chapters and 42 articles, effective from January 1, 2026. Notably, teachers' salaries are ranked highest in the administrative career salary scale system. Vocational allowances and other allowances depend on the nature of the work and by region according to the provisions of law.

Preschool teachers; teachers working in ethnic minority areas, mountainous areas, border areas, islands and areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions; teachers teaching at specialized schools; teachers implementing integrated education; teachers in some specific sectors and occupations are entitled to higher salary and allowances than teachers working under normal conditions.

The salary of teachers in non-public educational institutions is implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law on labor.

Teachers working in sectors and occupations with special regimes are entitled to special regimes according to the provisions of law and are only entitled to the highest level if that policy coincides with the policy for teachers...

Implementing a special allowance regime for cadres, civil servants, public employees and armed forces

The Minister of Home Affairs issued Circular 24/2025/TT-BNV guiding the implementation of special allowances for cadres, civil servants, public employees and armed forces.

People working in remote island areas and border areas with particularly difficult living conditions as prescribed in the appendix issued with this Circular are entitled to special allowances, including:

1. Officers, professional soldiers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, cadres, civil servants, public employees, and workers have been arranged according to the salary table prescribed by the State, and are workers in the payroll of agencies and units under the Vietnam People's Army, the People's Public Security, and key organizations.

2. Cadres, civil servants, public employees and contract workers (including those on probation) have been classified according to the salary table prescribed by the State for working in state agencies, state public service units, associations and non-governmental organizations established by competent authorities.

Accordingly, special allowances are calculated in percentage of the current salary plus leadership position allowances and seniority allowances exceeding the framework (if any) or current military rank allowances for non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the armed forces. The allowance includes 3 levels: 30%, 50% and 100%; applied depending on the working area of the beneficiary.

Circular 24/2025/TT-BNV takes effect from January 1, 2026.

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