Removing the worry of "salary is not equal to maid's"

After 7 years of application, many regulations in the old decree have become outdated and no longer suitable for reality. If passed, the new decree is expected to resolve long-standing shortcomings, from low income to career concerns after retirement, helping athletes feel secure in dedicating themselves to and sticking with high-performance sports.

Turning point from long-term care and welfare policy

Compared to Decree 152, the new draft decree has many breakthroughs in terms of salary, bonus, allowances and training and employment policies. The draft proposes that the daily salary for training and competition of the national team head coach is expected to double, from 505,000 VND to 1,010,000 VND/day; the national team coach from 375,000 VND to 750,000 VND/day; the national team athlete from 270,000 VND to 540,000 VND/day; the national youth team athlete from 215,000 VND to 430,000 VND/day. Notably, for the first time, the medical staff serving the teams are included in the salary scale, contributing to overcoming the shortage of good doctors and technicians that has lasted for many years.

The reward system for achievements has also been improved. For example, it is proposed to increase the Olympic gold medal from 350 million VND to 3.5 billion VND, the Asian Games gold medal from 140 million VND to 700 million VND, and the SEA Games gold medal from 45 million VND to 60 million VND.

In addition, athletes with excellent achievements are proposed to receive monthly allowances for a 4-year cycle: Olympic medalists receive 40 million VND/month, Asian Games gold medalists receive 20 million VND/month, Paralympic medalists or Olympic qualifiers receive 10 million VND/month. This is an unprecedented level of remuneration, approaching the income of professional athletes in some countries, creating motivation for sports talents to strive and commit long-term.

In addition, the draft decree expands the scope of application, not only for athletes receiving salaries from the budget but also for young and talented athletes in localities. Medical staff, who work under high pressure but earn low income, are also recognized for their role and enjoy legitimate benefits.

Notably, Article 11 of the draft clearly stipulates: After retirement, athletes, if in need and qualified, will be supported with vocational training and job placement according to Decree 61/2015/ND-CP and the National Employment Fund.

Regarding education and improving qualifications, athletes and national team coaches who have graduated from high school and participated in major tournaments such as the Olympics, ASIAD, SEA Games, etc. will be admitted directly to the Sports or Physical Education majors at universities and colleges; sent to coach training in the country and abroad; and will receive tuition exemptions or reductions and support for study costs.

In particular, athletes who win medals at the Olympics and ASIAD are recommended to enjoy the following policies: Being recruited as teachers if they meet the required training qualifications, diplomas and certificates; being recruited as civil servants if they meet the conditions for registration and requirements of the job position or being given priority points in recruiting workers at sports facilities when they have the qualifications and professional capacity suitable for the requirements of the job position; during the probationary period, they are entitled to receive 100% of the salary and allowances of the job title corresponding to the job position.

This is a long-term policy, aiming to reduce the risk of unemployment after retirement, an issue that makes many athletes worry and hesitate when choosing a career in high-level sports.

Towards securing the future

One of the points highly appreciated by the sports community in the draft decree is the mindset of putting coaches and athletes at the center of the sports development strategy. When incomes are improved and opportunities for vocational training and finding jobs after retirement are expanded, the worry of “salary not equal to that of a maid” or the difficult life after leaving the field will gradually be resolved. This will not only help retain high-quality human resources but also encourage many families to boldly orient their children towards a professional sports career.

In fact, the life of an athlete is short and the glory on the stage cannot last forever. Therefore, in parallel with increasing financial regimes, the Sports industry also implements activities to support career orientation. On August 8, the Vietnam Olympic Committee coordinated to organize a Career Orientation Workshop for athletes in 2025, providing start-up skills, soft skills, career advice and opening cooperation opportunities with universities and businesses.

Here, experts emphasize the importance of preparing early for the transition period, exploiting skills of discipline, team spirit, and the will to overcome difficulties (which are trained from sports) to succeed in the new job.

When the new decree is passed, the policy will create a “closed circle” in caring for athletes: from training, competing, achieving results, to retirement and entering a new career. This is an inevitable step forward when Decree 152, issued since 2018, has revealed many limitations in the context of Vietnamese sports integrating deeply and aiming to reach the continental and world level.

The draft Decree replacing Decree 152 is not only a technical adjustment of salary, bonus or allowance levels, but also demonstrates innovative thinking in sports policy that values the value of athletes' contributions, ensures long-term occupational security and creates an environment for them to wholeheartedly strive.

If approved, this will be a strong boost, removing "bottlenecks" that have existed for many years, helping Vietnamese sports build an elite force, aiming for top achievements along with the sustainable development of each individual athlete.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/thao-go-noi-lo-luong-khong-bang-o-sin-160200.html