What are the tasks of the militia and self-defense forces in Vietnam?

What are the tasks of the militia and self-defense forces in Vietnam? (Internet image)

1. Who are the militia and self-defense forces?

According to Clause 1, Article 2 of the Law on Militia and Self-defense Forces 2019, militia and self-defense forces refer to mass armed forces not separated from production and work, called “militia” if organized locally and “self-defense forces” if organized in regulatory authorities, political organizations, socio-political organizations, public service providers and economic organizations (hereinafter referred to as “agencies and organizations”).

2. What are the tasks of the militia and self-defense forces in Vietnam?

 Tasks of militia and self-defense forces include:

- Be ready to fight, fighting and assistance with fighting to protect local and central divisions, agencies and organizations.

- Cooperate with People’s Army, People’s Public Security and other forces within the division to protect sovereignty, security of national border, islands, territorial waters and airspace of Vietnam; participate in developing people-based national defense, national security defense and protection zones, ensure social security and safety, and participate in prevention and fight against crimes and violations as per the law.

- Conduct tasks regarding military training, political and law strengthening, sports games and drills.

- Participate in adopting measures regarding information warfare and cyberspace warfare according to regulations and law, and decisions of competent authorities.

- Prevent, counter and remediate consequences of disasters, accidents, natural disasters, diseases, fire and explosion; search and rescue; protect forests and environment and conduct other civil protection tasks as per the law.

- Publicize and mobilize the people to follow guidance and viewpoints of the Communist Party, policies and regulations and law of government on national defense and security; participate in developing local and central government strengthened, completed and adopt social policies.

- Conduct other tasks as per the law.

(Article 5 of the Law on Militia and Self-defense Forces 2019)

3. Age and duration of participation in militia and self-defense forces during peacetime in Vietnam

- Male citizens from 18 years of age until 45 years of age inclusively, female citizens from 18 years of age until 40 years of age inclusively are responsible for joining militia and self-defense forces; in case of voluntary participation, militia and self-defense force duties may last up to the age of 50 inclusively for male and 45 inclusively for female.

- Duration of participation in on-site, mobile, marine, anti-aircraft, artillery, scouting, information, engineering, chemical defense and medical militia and self-defense forces is 4 years; duration of participation in standing militia is 2 years.

Based on requirement and tasks of national defense and military of local governments, agencies and organizations, duration of participation in militia and self-defense forces may be extended for no more than 2 years; for marine militia, self-defense forces and commanders of militia and self-defense forces may be extended without exceeding the age specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

- Chairpersons of People’s Committees of communes and districts that do not have communes, heads of agencies and organizations shall decide to prolong the age group and duration of participation of militia and self-defense forces as specified in this Article.

(Article 8 of the Law on Militia and Self-defense Forces 2019)

4. Eligibility to be selected in militia and self-defense forces in Vietnam

Eligibility to be selected in militia and self-defense forces in addition to being Vietnamese citizens and within the age groups:

- Defined background;

- Stringent compliance with policies and viewpoint of the Communist Party, policies, regulations and law of government;

- Adequate health to perform tasks of militia and self-defense forces.

(Clause 1, Article 10 of the Law on Militia and Self-defense Forces 2019)

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