HIV Awareness for the Youth of Vietnam

Rapid socioeconomic transformation in Vietnam in last 15 years has been followed by more liberation of sexual expression and representation of sexual identity among young people. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are now considered as one of the target groups in many HIV prevention programs. Our analyses based on replies from 99 MSM recruited through public place intercepts and cruising areas. Data document the linguistic classification, sexual relationships and behaviors, identity and process of homosexual identification, and the potential linkage between sexual identity and sexual behaviors of MSM in Vietnam. Data highlights the influence, effects and impact of media communication on condom use. With around 224,000 HIV infections detected in the past 25 years, Vietnam ranks fifth among countries with the highest number of people living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific region as of December 2014. Of the 224,000 infections, around 3,000 have been detected from the beginning of 2014. In light of the findings, we suggest that the continuing development and elaboration of a homosexual community in Ho Chi Minh City offers significant opportunities for targeted HIV/AIDS prevention activities in the Vietnamese MSM population. Thus, it is imperative to produce a video to further send out the information and awareness of HIV prevention. Awareness is definitely better than cure.