Still Select Citizens with Tattoos for Military Service in 2018

- If tattoos or subcutaneous engravings cannot be removed with chemicals and fall under the following cases, they will not be selected for military service:

+ Tattoos or engravings that contain content opposing policies, inciting ethnic division, are horror-themed, bizarre, sexually provocative, or violent;

+ Tattoos or engravings that are offensive, misrepresent religions or beliefs, or contain content that is incompatible with the customs, traditions, and culture of the Vietnamese people; that reflect pessimistic, negative attitudes towards life; superstitious beliefs, or carry symbols of foreign armed forces... in visible positions, such as face, head, neck, hands...

- In cases where the tattoos or engravings can be removed by chemicals and do not contain the aforementioned content, the individual may be selected for military service.

(According to the guidance in Joint Circular 50/2016/TTLT-BQP-BCA dated April 15, 2016, by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security prescribing political standards for the selection of citizens for military service).

According to the directives of the Ministry of National Defense, to ensure social fairness and prevent the misuse of tattoo regulations to evade military service, the Local Military Service Council and the Local Medical Examination Council must accurately inspect and evaluate the nature and level of tattoos and engravings on citizens' bodies to determine whether they can be removed, and decide on eligibility for enlistment. Simultaneously, they should implement measures for public education and advocacy, urging citizens to remove tattoos or engravings and refrain from getting new ones before enlistment.

Receiving military units must coordinate with local authorities to thoroughly review the cases of those with tattoos or engravings to consider and resolve any issues before the conscription day.

See more Official Dispatch 14445/BQP-TM December 2, 2017, on the implementation of the selection and conscription of citizens for military service in 2018.

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