The new decree, issued on Dec. 30, 2025, overhauls benefits, healthcare and professional support for athletes and coaches. Under the new regulations, gold medal winners at the Olympics will receive VND3.5 billion (US$133,000), while silver and bronze medalists will be awarded VND2.2 billion and VND1.4 billion, respectively.

These figures represent a massive jump from the previous rates of VND350 million, 220 million and 140 million.

Athletes who set new Olympic records will also benefit from a tenfold increase in bonuses, reaching VND1.4 billion. For example, an athlete achieving a gold and silver medal while breaking an Olympic record, similar to shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh’s performance in 2016, will be eligible for a total bonus of VND7.1 billion.

The financial upgrades extend to other international competitions as well. Asian Games prize money will double, with gold medalists receiving VND280 million. SEA Games rewards will see a more modest increase of 1.2 times, raising the gold medal prize to VND54 million.

The new decree, which will take effect on Feb. 15, also includes changes to salaries, benefits, nutrition, educational incentives, healthcare, mental care (specifically for female athletes) and injury treatment.

Besides the one-time bonuses, the government is doubling the daily salaries of national coaches and athletes to VND1.1 million and 550,000, respectively. Key athletes and coaches preparing for major qualifiers or the Paralympics will receive 1.5 times the standard salary.

A new monthly allowance has also been introduced for high achievers, providing Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalists with VND40 million, 30 million and 20 million per month until the next Games.

Educational and career incentives for athletes after retirement are also a major part of the updated policy. National medalists will gain direct admission to high schools, while those who win medal at the Olympic or Asian Games will receive direct admission to universities within their fields. Furthermore, Olympic, Asian Games and SEA Games medalists can be recruited as civil servants at sports facilities without undergoing the standard selection process.

The decree also adds support for female athletes, including a monthly allowance of VND1.1 million. This accompanies broader healthcare initiatives, such as biannual check-ups and the possibility of overseas treatment for serious injuries sustained by key athletes.

National gymnastics head coach Truong Minh Sang described the changes as a massive source of motivation, noting that the improvements in salaries and food allowances provide essential stability.

Chess grandmaster Vo Thi Kim Phung added that the policy offers reassurance regarding her future.

“This encourages me to continue striving and working harder in training and competition,” Phung said. “I don’t have to worry so much about personal or family living expenses anymore, and I have more confidence to continue contributing.”