Vietnam's teaching profession is on the brink of a major salary overhaul, with top-tier educators in certain localities and with special allowances potentially earning a total monthly income of up to 19 million VND (approximately $760). This increase is driven by two main factors: the general rise in the statutory pay rate and, crucially, special localized income adjustment coefficients, like the 1.5x coefficient approved in Ho Chi Minh City and proposed increases in preferential allowances to at least 70% for most teachers. The move is part of a national effort to enhance the status of educators and curb a growing teacher shortage.
The Mechanism of the Salary Increase
The potential for Vietnamese teachers to reach monthly incomes near VND 19 million ($760) is a result of compounding salary components, particularly special local policies and allowances, rather than just the basic salary.
Statutory Pay Rate (Base Factor): The national statutory pay rate (the base salary factor used to calculate civil servant pay) increased significantly to VND 2,340,000 per month from July 1, 2024. This increase provides a higher floor for all public sector workers, including teachers.
Salary Calculation Formula: A teacher's total income is calculated as:
- Total Income = (Salary Coefficient x Statutory Pay Rate) + Allowances + Bonuses/Additional Income
Highest National Salary: Even with the base factor, the highest projected national salary (excluding special local income) for a senior general education teacher is around VND 15.8 million per month. The jump to near VND 19 million or more comes from the specific "special coefficients".
The Impact of the "Special Coefficient"
The highest incomes for educators are currently seen in localities like Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), where special mechanisms allow for substantial top-ups:
- HCMC's Income Adjustment: Under National Assembly Resolution 98/2023/QH15 on special development mechanisms for HCMC, the city is allowed to pay an additional income adjustment coefficient. For 2024, this coefficient was set at a maximum of 1.5 times the official salary.
- Targeting Top Earnings: When applied to the highest salary coefficients for senior teachers, this multiplier can push total monthly earnings well over the national ceiling, providing the potential for incomes approaching VND 19 million ($760) or higher for top-performing educators.
Proposed Preferential Allowances
Beyond local multipliers, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has proposed significant increases in the preferential allowance, which aims to improve the standing of all educators nationwide.
- Minimum Allowance Hike: Recent drafts from MOET and Politburo directives commit to increasing the minimum preferential allowance for most preschool and general education teachers to at least 70% (up from the current 30-35%).
- Hardship Zones: Allowances for teachers working in especially difficult areas, border regions, or island communities are proposed to increase by 100% of their official salary.
- Purpose: These increases are intended to be a breakthrough policy that demonstrates governmental recognition of the profession's demands, helps retain experienced teachers, and attracts new talent to curb a critical shortage.
The new salary policies, driven by the Law on Teachers (set to take effect in January 2026), seek to fulfill the commitment that teachers' salaries shall be classified at the highest level in the public service pay scale, making the profession financially competitive with other high-skilled sectors.