During a parliamentary group discussion on 4/8 regarding the draft law amending and supplementing several articles of 9 military and national defense laws, Representative Nguyen Cong Long, a full-time member of the Legal and Justice Committee, raised the issue that many citizens of military age do not have the opportunity to fulfill their military service obligation.

According to Long, there was a previous proposal for individuals not participating in military service to contribute financially. However, the approach and communication were inappropriate, leading to public outcry.

"I support the need for a plan that allows those who do not have the opportunity to join the military or perform military service to contribute to the nation in some form", Long stated.

The representative cited the experience of some countries where citizens not conscripted still fulfill their national obligations through other means after passing the age for military call-up. He proposed that the drafting agency research suitable mechanisms to both create opportunities for contribution and mobilize additional resources.

Representative Nguyen Cong Long speaking on 4/8. *Photo: Ngoc Thanh*

General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, stated that other forms of military duty currently exist, such as participating in the permanent militia or serving as youth volunteers in economic defense zones.

Many young people who have graduated from university or college are currently volunteering in economic defense zones along borderlines and in remote areas. The Ministry of National Defense will continue to research the possibility of expanding these forms of military service.

According to General Phan Van Giang, the percentage of young people with university or college degrees joining military service is increasing, with some localities reaching 30-40%. Many well-off families also wish for their children to join the military for discipline, awareness, and responsibility. After completing military service, citizens can continue working in the military or return to civilian employment in their specialized fields.

General, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang speaking on 4/8. *Photo: Ngoc Thanh*

Proposals for alternative service were previously raised by several National Assembly representatives during discussions on the revised Military Service Law project in 2014. Representative Nguyen Cong Hong at the time cited the experience of some countries that allow non-conscripted individuals to participate in labor or make financial contributions as an alternative, aiming to ensure fairness among citizens of military age.

Representative Huynh Van Tinh proposed that citizens unable to join the military could participate in building the all-people national defense, volunteer or shock youth teams, or defense and security projects, with timeframes and policies equivalent to performing military service.

Vu Tuan