The Ministry of Defense of Vietnam has recently addressed public inquiries regarding the eligibility criteria for military conscription, specifically focusing on the presence of tattoos and refractive vision errors. This clarification follows recommendations from the National Assembly's Committee on Citizens' Rights and Oversight, which suggested that the Ministry review and amend regulations to better align with current realities.

According to the Ministry, there are specific guidelines regarding citizens with tattoos and those suffering from refractive errors. Under the existing regulations, individuals with tattoos that contain content opposing the state, promoting violence, or are deemed inappropriate in visible areas are not eligible for military service. This includes tattoos on the face, neck, and significant portions of the arms and torso.

Despite these regulations, the Ministry noted that many young individuals with minor tattoos are still eligible for conscription, as the majority of tattoos fall into the category of small and non-offensive designs. However, there have been instances where individuals have attempted to exploit these regulations by getting tattoos just before the conscription examination to avoid military service.

In terms of vision standards, the Ministry has specified that individuals with myopia greater than 1.5 diopters are not eligible for military service. This policy is outlined in the Ministry's circulars and aims to ensure that only those with adequate health standards are selected for military duties.

Furthermore, the Ministry is committed to ongoing assessments and updates of the selection criteria to address any emerging issues and ensure that the conscription process is fair and effective. They will continue to monitor the situation and propose necessary legal amendments to facilitate the recruitment of qualified individuals into the military.