Conscription After Myopia Surgery: Vietnamese Law Explained

In Vietnam, a man with severe myopia (7 diopters) who was deemed unfit for military service during a recent health screening has raised a question about his conscription status after undergoing eye surgery. According to legal counsel, Article 41, Clause 1(a) of the 2015 Law on Military Service states that citizens who are not healthy enough to serve in the military, as determined by the health examination council, will have their conscription temporarily postponed. Clause 3 of the same article further stipulates that citizens whose reasons for postponement no longer exist will be called up for service. Therefore, if a citizen is temporarily deferred due to myopia and subsequently undergoes surgery that restores their vision to normal, they will no longer be eligible for postponement and are likely to be called up for military service. Furthermore, Article 4, Clause 1 of Circular 105/2023/TT-BQP outlines the health standards for military service. The general criteria include being in health categories 1, 2, or 3, and not being addicted to narcotics. Specific health standards for conscription are also determined by the Minister of National Defence. According to Section II, Clause 1 of Appendix I of Circular 105/2023/TT-BQP, vision after myopia surgery is assessed as follows: - Right eye 10/10, total vision of both eyes 19/10: 2 points - Right eye 10/10, total vision of both eyes 18/10: 3 points - Right eye 9/10, total vision of both eyes 17/10: 4 points - Right eye 8/10, total vision of both eyes 16/10: 5 points - Right eye below 8/10, total vision of both eyes below 16/10: 6 points. These criteria indicate that the degree of vision recovery after surgery will determine an individual's eligibility for military service. In Vietnam's one-party system, the mandatory military service is considered crucial for national security and social order, with health status being a key factor in conscription. As Vietnam continues its economic growth, securing the young workforce is also a consideration, and the military service system plays a role in this context.