HIV/AIDS and STI

Country profiles on HIV/AIDS


Viet Nam

HIV cases have been reported nationwide with an estimated HIV prevalence of 0.4 percent in adult population in 2009. The epidemic was described to be still at concentrated level. Highest prevalence was observed among specific populations with high-risk behaviors including injecting drug users, sex workers and men having sex with men.

Due to growing political support at all levels, utilization of existing health service delivery structures, extensive mobilization of peer educators and other stakeholders and external funds, needle syringe programme and condom use programme targeting injecting drug users and sex workers have been expanded throughout the country. Opioid substitution therapy with methadone is being expanded following the successful pilot initiatives. As the only country in WP Region to receive PEPFAR support, together with a large scale funding from the Global Fund, Viet Nam has a growing coverage of ART for those at need. WHO plays a central role in providing technical assistance to the Health Sector response to HIV and facilitates collaboration between different health programmes in the context of health system strengthening.

Core HIV and AIDS epidemic and response data


Indicator 2001 2007 2008 2009
 No. PLHIV
     Total 160 000 290 000
     Adults 150 000 180 000
     Adults pre. % 0.3 0.5
     Women (15+) 37 000 76 000
     Children < 15 years ... ...
AIDS Death 5500 24 000
HIV Pre. of MARPs
     IDU % 23.1(a) 20 18.4
     FSW % 4.2(a) 3.1 3.2
     MSM % 9.0(a) 9 14.2
 No. people on ART
    Total
17 000 27 059 37 995
    ART coverage % 26 34(b)
    No. pediatric patients on ART 789 1462 1987
 No. receiving ARV for PMTCT 744 1354 1372
    PMTCT coverage % 19

(a) Data of 2006.
(b) Estimate based on 2010 WHO ART guideline.

Sources and notes:
  • 2001 and 2007 data: UNAIDS/WHO 2008 Update: Epidemiological Fact Sheet on HIV and AIDS.
  • 2008 and 2009 data: WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF: Towards Universal Access: Scaling up Priority HIV/AIDS Interventions in the Health Sector, Progress Report 2009 and 2010.
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