Can conscription be carried out twice a year in Vietnam?

Can conscription be carried out twice a year in Vietnam?

In the locality where I reside, there was a case where the Military Command called for a second enlistment. But as far as I know, there is only one round of military service each year. So, did the military command board comply with the law?

Answer: Pursuant to Article 33 of the 2015 Law on Military Service, there are regulations on time of conscription and performance of military service in the People’s Police force as follows:

Annually, citizens shall be conscripted and requested to perform military service in People’s Army or People’s Police in February or March; in case of necessity for defense purposes, the conscription shall be carried out the second time. Regarding areas with disaster or dangerous epidemic, time for conscription and service in People’s Army or People’s Police shall be adjusted.

Thus, according to the above provisions in Vietnam, in case of necessity for reasons of national defense and security, the conscription shall be carried out the second time. Therefore, the Military Command where you reside has done the right thing according to the law.

What are drafting requirements in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 4 of Circular 148/2018/TT-BQP, drafting requirements to participate in military service are as follows:

1. Age:

a) Citizens from the age of 18 to under 26.

b) Graduate male citizen who enters university or college and postpones conscription for a training course of a level will be drafted until he turns 28.

2. Political requirements:

a) Comply with Joint Circular No. 50/2016/TTLT-BQP-BCA dated April 15, 2016 of the Minister of National Defense – the Minister of Public Security on provisions for political requirements for conscripting citizens into the Vietnamese People’s Army.

b) Drafting for crucial and classified agencies, units and positions in the Army; ceremonial battalion; professional National Guards and Military shall comply with regulations and law of the Ministry of National Defense.

3. Health requirements:

a) Draft citizens with health type 1, 2, 3 as specified in Joint Circular No. 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP dated June 30, 2016 of the Minister of Health – the Minister of National Defense on provisions for pre-enlistment check-up.

b) Drafting for agencies, units and positions specified in Point b Clause 2 of this Article must ensure separate standards as regulated by the Ministry of National Defense.

c) Do not conscript citizens with health type 3 and eye disorders (1.5 dioptre myopia or higher, hypermetropia at all degrees); drug addicts, those contracted with HIV, AIDS.

4. Cultural requirements:

a) Draft citizens who finished 8^th grade or higher in descending order. In areas where the drafting quota cannot be guaranteed due to hardship, request the competent authorities to consider and decide to draft citizens who finished 7^th grade.

b) Communes in remote and isolated areas, in areas with economic - social hardships according to regulations and law; ethnic minorities below 10,000 people shall draft no more than 25% of the citizens who finished primary education and the citizens who finished lower secondary education are drafted to fill the rest.

What diseases are exempt from registration for military service in Vietnam? 

This year I am in grade 12. Next year I will be old enough to join military service. However, I don't want to join but I want to bribe money so I don't go to the army, can I? And if I have any disease, am I exempt from registering for military service?

Answer: Firstly, how much money do you need to bribe to avoid military service?

According to Article 6 of the 2015 Law on Military Service, the military service obligation is as follows:

1. Any male citizen at the call-up age shall perform the military service in regular armed force of People's Army.

2. Any female citizen at the age for military service in peacetime may perform military service in regular armed force if such citizen volunteers and on the demand of the armed force.

Thus, performing military service is the obligation of male citizens from full 18 years old to the end of 25 years old in Vietnam (except for citizens who have been trained at college or university level and have been postponed from being called up for military service until the end of 27 years).

Currently, there is no provision that allows citizens to pay money to avoid military service. Therefore, if the conditions are met, the citizen must perform military service in Vietnam.

This is a citizen's duty and right, and you should comply with the regulations in Vietnam. Failure to comply may result in fines or criminal prosecution depending on the case.

Please refer to: Is it possible to accept to bribe to avoid military service examination?

Second, if you are sick, you are exempt from military service registration

According to Section III, Appendix 1 of Joint Circular 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP, diseases that are exempt from military service registration and are not admitted to the standing army include:

Third, about the standard for military service

In Article 4 of Circular 148/2018/TT-BQP stipulating the selection and calling of citizens for military service, issued by the Minister of National Defense, effective from November 20, 2018, there are regulations on drafting requirements as follows: 

1. Age:

a) Citizens from the age of 18 to under 26.

b) Graduate male citizen who enters university or college and postpones conscription for a training course of a level will be drafted until he turns 28.

2. Political requirements:

a) Comply with Joint Circular No. 50/2016/TTLT-BQP-BCA dated April 15, 2016 of the Minister of National Defense – the Minister of Public Security on provisions for political requirements for conscripting citizens into the Vietnamese People’s Army.

b) Drafting for crucial and classified agencies, units and positions in the Army; ceremonial battalion; professional National Guards and Military shall comply with regulations and law of the Ministry of National Defense.

3. Health requirements:

a) Draft citizens with health type 1, 2, 3 as specified in Joint Circular No. 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP dated June 30, 2016 of the Minister of Health – the Minister of National Defense on provisions for pre-enlistment check-up.

b) Drafting for agencies, units and positions specified in Point b Clause 2 of this Article must ensure separate standards as regulated by the Ministry of National Defense.

c) Do not conscript citizens with health type 3 and eye disorders (1.5 dioptre myopia or higher, hypermetropia at all degrees); drug addicts, those contracted with HIV, AIDS.

4. Cultural requirements:

a) Draft citizens who finished 8^th grade or higher in descending order. In areas where the drafting quota cannot be guaranteed due to hardship, request the competent authorities to consider and decide to draft citizens who finished 7^th grade.

b) Communes in remote and isolated areas, in areas with economic - social hardships according to regulations and law; ethnic minorities below 10,000 people shall draft no more than 25% of the citizens who finished primary education and the citizens who finished lower secondary education are drafted to fill the rest.

Best Regards!