Sexual transmission now dominates HIV cases in Vietnam, health ministry says

Vietnam is seeing a sharp shift in HIV transmission, with most new infections now occurring through sexual contact, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM), according to new data from the Ministry of Health

The country recorded 13,351 new HIV cases and 1,905 HIV-related deaths over the past year.

« Sexual transmission now accounts for over 80%, especially among MSM and transgender people, reflecting a clear shift in how HIV is spreading, » said Nguyen Luong Tam, deputy director of the Department of Preventive Medicine.

Since 2010, transmission patterns have changed dramatically. HIV spread through blood exposure has dropped, while sexual transmission has become the dominant route. Mother-to-child transmission has almost disappeared. At the same time, the group most affected by sexual transmission has shifted, from sex workers to predominantly MSM.

A nationwide study involving 428,450 MSM found a new infection rate of 7.2%. MSM who use drugs face eight times higher risk of infection compared to those who do not. Rates of other sexually transmitted infections remain high, while condom use remains low.

The Ministry of Health estimates that MSM make up 1–2% of the male population aged 15–49 in Vietnam.

New HIV cases have remained stable in total numbers, but 68% of newly detected infections are concentrated in the Mekong Delta, the southeast region, and Ho Chi Minh City. Rising infections are also being detected in provinces that previously were not hotspots, fueled by risk behaviors such as synthetic drug use and group sex.

Health officials warn that although the MSM population is growing and infections are rising, service access has not kept pace. Vietnam has medications, technology, and a wide service network, but many people still hesitate to get tested or use PrEP and ARV treatment. « Stigma weakens all of our efforts, » Tam said.

Vietnam is also falling behind on its goal of ending AIDS by 2030. The country has not met the 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people with HIV knowing their status, 95% of diagnosed patients receiving ARV treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression.

The country has reached only 87% and 79% on the first two measures, said Doan Thi Thuy Linh of the National HIV and Chronic Infectious Diseases Division.

Funding challenges add further pressure. Budget shortfalls, difficulties procuring test kits and cuts to donor-funded PrEP programs are limiting prevention and treatment.

International funding is declining sharply, threatening essential services such as case finding and access to PrEP and second-line ARVs, warned Raman Hailevich, UNAIDS Country Director. He noted that while Vietnam has relatively stable domestic resources, it must accelerate plans for full financial self-reliance by 2029.

Both the Ministry of Health and UNAIDS emphasized the importance of public communication. Only when people understand the epidemic and can access services, they said, will Vietnam move closer to its 2030 goal.

The ministry urges high-risk groups, such as MSM, transgender women, sex workers and people who inject drugs, to use PrEP, a once-daily pill that prevents HIV infection.

For people living with HIV, early and consistent ARV treatment can suppress the virus after about six months, preventing sexual transmission and reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

Many people with HIV in Vietnam are now able to marry and have healthy children thanks to this treatment pathway.

By Le Nga – VnExpress.net – November 26, 2025