Local HIV/AIDS info

The number of people living with HIV (all ages) in Vietnam is estimated at 228,680. The number of people living with HIV is expected to increase to around 280,000 by 2012, including about 5,500 children (approximately two per cent) however this will occur mainly as a result of the decrease in AIDS-related mortality due to increased access to anti-retroviral drugs. In fact, the rate of new infections has steadily declined from around 67 per 100,000 people in 2000, to 39 per 100,000 people by 2007 with national prevalence estimated to be 0.43 percent in 2009, down from 0.53 percent in 2005.

Geographically, HIV has now been reported nationwide in all provinces and cities. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vietnam is still in a concentrated phase, with the highest prevalence found among specific populations at higher risk (including IDUs, female sex workers and men having sex with men). However, there is a high risk of the epidemic spreading to other areas of the population, including partners of clients of sex workers, and partners of IDUs. Furthermore, it should also be kept in mind that the data on which these estimates are made is largely derived from sentinel surveillance carried out in a limited number of sites. For all these reasons, the estimated epidemiological picture may not accurately reflect the actual situation.

As well as the number of HIV cases increasing gradually over the years, there is a high level of stigma and discrimination in Vietnam. There have been numerous cases of children being denied access to schools because of their HIV status, and other stigma is common within families, within communities and within the workplace. Vietnam is in the process of developing a "stigma index" as other countries have done already, and this will be a very useful tool both to publicise the issue, and to monitor progress in addressing the issue.

For the latest data please check: UNAIDS Vietnam