Vietnam military salary scale raised to 2.53 million dong base pay from July

The Ministry of Defence issued Circular 74 on 16 June 2026 setting a new base salary of 2.53 million VND per month for military personnel, replacing the previous 2.34 million VND. The change applies to officers, professional soldiers, defence workers and other staff in the armed forces, effective 1 July 2026.

Salary tables show that a full‑general will earn 26.312 million VND per month, while a colonel receives 20.240 million VND. Enlisted ranks receive between 1.012 million VND and 1.771 million VND. Leadership allowances are also adjusted, with the defence minister receiving an additional 3.795 million VND and other command positions receiving scaled allowances.

The update follows Decree 161 dated 15 May 2026, which established the new base salary and bonus regime for civil servants, public employees and the armed forces. Units must use the new tables to calculate pay and allowances, and any personnel transferred before the effective date will receive the differential according to the regulations.