Vietnam Ministry of Home Affairs clarifies professional rank changes for public employees

The Vietnam Ministry of Home Affairs has provided guidance regarding the conversion of professional rank duration for public employees seeking promotion. The clarification addresses a specific inquiry from a public employee regarding whether time spent in a lower professional rank (Grade IV) after obtaining a university degree can be counted as equivalent time toward the requirements for a higher rank (Grade II).

According to the Ministry, changes in professional ranks are governed by laws on the recruitment, use, and management of public employees. Under Decree No. 232/2026/ND-CP, employees are assigned to a professional rank appropriate to their capacity and task requirements, with salary levels corresponding to those ranks. Such changes do not alter the specific job position currently held by the employee.