Decree 349/2025/ND-CP, issued by the government on 30/12/2025, significantly changes the remuneration, healthcare, and support systems for athletes and coaches compared to the old Decree 152/2018/ND-CP. This new legislation, effective from 15/2, introduces substantial increases in bonuses for medalists at major international competitions, aiming to boost motivation and provide comprehensive support.

Under Decree 152/2018, bonuses for athletes winning Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medals were VND 350 million, VND 220 million, and VND 140 million, respectively. The new decree increases these bonuses tenfold. Athletes setting an Olympic record will also see their bonus increased tenfold, to VND 1.4 billion.

The revised bonus structure extends to other major games. Athletes winning Asian Games gold, silver, and bronze medals will also see their bonuses doubled, to VND 280 million, VND 170 million, and VND 110 million, respectively. Bonuses for SEA Games medalists will increase by 1.2 times, reaching VND 54 million for gold, VND 30 million for silver, and VND 24 million for bronze.

For example, an athlete who wins gold and silver medals and breaks an Olympic record, such as shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh at Rio de Janeiro 2016, would receive a total of VND 7.1 billion under the new decree.

Beyond bonuses, the new decree introduces changes concerning salaries, benefits, nutrition, educational incentives, healthcare, physiological care (specifically for female athletes), and injury treatment. These provisions reflect a more holistic approach to athlete welfare, covering both their competitive careers and post-retirement lives.

Salaries for national athletes and coaches have been doubled. A national team head coach will receive VND 1.1 million per day, while national team athletes will receive VND 550,000 per day. Key coaches and athletes with the potential to win gold medals at the Asian Games, Asian Para Games, Paralympics, or qualify for the Olympics or Paralympics, will receive 1.5 times the salary of national team coaches and athletes.

A new feature of Decree 349 is the monthly remuneration for high-performing athletes. From the time of achievement until the next major games, Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medalists will receive VND 40 million, VND 30 million, and VND 20 million per month, respectively. Asian Games and Paralympic gold medalists will also receive VND 20 million per month.

Le Thi Tuyet (left) and Nguyen Thi Oanh (center) won silver and gold medals, respectively, in the 10,000m race at the 33rd SEA Games at Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand, on the evening of 15/12/2025. Photo: Duc Dong

Le Thi Tuyet (left) and Nguyen Thi Oanh (center) won silver and gold medals, respectively, in the 10,000m race at the 33rd SEA Games at Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand, on the evening of 15/12/2025. Photo: Duc Dong

The government also places greater emphasis on addressing post-career opportunities for athletes after retirement. National medalists will be granted direct admission to high schools, while Olympic and Asian Games medalists will receive direct admission to universities in relevant fields. Athletes who win medals at the Olympics, Asian Games, and SEA Games will be employed as public servants at sports facilities if they meet the necessary conditions, without needing to pass a regular entrance exam.

Decree 349 also adds a monthly healthcare and physiological care regimen for female members of national and provincial teams, amounting to VND 1.1 million per month. Athletes will undergo regular health check-ups at least twice a year, along with in-depth psychological and biological assessments. Key athletes with special injuries may be sent abroad for treatment, subject to the decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Truong Minh Sang, head coach of the national gymnastics team, told VnExpress that Decree 349 provides a great source of motivation for coaches and athletes. "I am very happy that salaries, bonuses, meal allowances, and other benefits have all increased," he said. "This is a tremendous source of motivation for us."

Decree 349 will take effect on 15/2, at which point Decree 152 will be repealed.

Xuan Binh