Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and poverty are closely connected. In Vietnam, significant progress has been made in reducing poverty over the last few years. The number of people living on less than $1.90 a day fell from 37% in 2002 to 1.8% in 2018, and about 10 million people moved out of poverty between 2010 and 2020. However, that progress has not reached everyone equally.

Poverty remains a serious issue for ethnic minority communities, farming families and people living in rural and remote areas, especially in the Midlands and Northern Mountains and the Central Highlands. Many in these communities continue to struggle with low incomes and limited access to education, health care and jobs.

These challenges can be especially difficult for people living with HIV/AIDS, who may face additional costs for treatment and care. In 2022, an estimated 250,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam, and by 2024, that number had grown to roughly 270,000 people of all ages.

Groups Affected by HIV/AIDS

Groups vulnerable to HIV/AIDS in Vietnam include people who use drugs, men who have sex with men, transgender women and female sex workers. One main way HIV spreads is through sharing needles among people who inject drugs. This can occur because clean needles are not always accessible or affordable. A mother can also pass HIV to her child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding, and hundreds of infants contract HIV this way each year.

HIV and poverty are interlinked, exacerbating each other. People living in poverty often face conditions that increase their risk of HIV infection, including limited access to education, health care, stable employment and prevention services.

In Vietnam, many leave rural communities to find work in cities or across the country’s borders because they cannot earn enough to support themselves at home. These migrants, often young adults, may spend long periods away from their families and support networks. This isolation, combined with economic hardship, can increase their likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, commercial sex or injecting drugs.

Many women who migrate to urban areas for work may turn to sex work as a way to earn money. Meanwhile, men employed as truck drivers or construction workers may also face situations that increase their exposure to HIV.

As health declines, individuals may be unable to work, resulting in income loss while medical expenses increase.

HIV/AIDS not only impacts individuals but can also trap entire families in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to escape. Relatives may reduce their working hours or leave jobs to care for a family member living with HIV. If the person dies, funeral expenses and the loss of a wage earner can create additional financial hardship. Some households must use savings, sell productive assets or take on debt just to survive. These financial pressures can continue for years, affecting children’s education, nutrition and future opportunities.

Fear of discrimination remains a major barrier to ending HIV/AIDS in Vietnam, discouraging many people from getting tested or seeking health care and support services.

Addressing HIV/AIDS in Vietnam

To address these barriers, several organizations support the fight against HIV/AIDS in Vietnam; among them is LightHouse, also known as Hai Dang. This community-based organization has supported people living with HIV and other vulnerable communities since 2004, with a particular focus on the LGBTQ+ community.

Through education programs and community communication campaigns, Hai Dang works to increase awareness about HIV prevention, reduce stigma and provide accurate health information.

For example, it supported campaigns such as the K=K communication campaign from 2018 to 2022. This campaign aims to spread accurate information about HIV treatment and reduce stigma toward people living with HIV. The campaign explains that people living with HIV who take their medication as prescribed and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV through sexual contact. Hai Dang supported the campaign by connecting with communities, organizing events and sharing information through social media.

A major part of the organization’s work involves connecting individuals with health care services through its Hai Dang Clinic, which provides the following:

• General health check-up package
• HIV counseling, screening and prevention package – pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
• HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) counseling, examination and treatment package
• STIs service package
• Screening and counseling services

Conclusion

Organizations like Hai Dang show how community support can make a difference in preventing HIV/AIDS in Vietnam and reducing its wider impact on people’s lives. Its work also helps address the stigma and fear that often stop individuals from seeking services. By creating safe and welcoming spaces, it makes it easier for people to access health care, stay healthy and avoid the financial struggles that can come with untreated HIV.

– Daniela Escobar

Daniela is based in Huntington Station, NY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr