unaids.org
UNAIDS


Feature Story
Impact of US funding cuts on HIV programmes in Vietnam
19 March 2025
19 March 2025 19 March 2025Current Coverage and ServicesPre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): According to the National AIDS authori...
Current Coverage and Services
- Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): According to the National AIDS authority, as of January 31, 2025, there are 210 health facilities nationwide providing PrEP services, with 44,780 people using the service. Of these, 92 facilities with 31,639 clients (70.7%) are funded by PEPFAR in 11 provinces. Antiretrovirals for PrEP committed by PEPFAR in COP 2024-2025 have been delivered by one third. Current stock can cover for PEPFAR-supported PrEP clients until end of May 2025. Relevant medical facilities supported by US CDC have resumed full package service, while those supported by USAID only provide PrEP medicines from available PEPFAR stock but do not cover associated costs, which fall on patients paying out-of-pocket. The development and implementation of the AIDS Information Management System, including PrEP management system, is on hold.
- Antiretroviral Treatment (ART): ART is mainly financed by social health insurance funds and partially by the Global Fund. Technical assistance to the supply chain and treatment information system, mostly through USAID, has been affected.
- HIV Testing and Treatment: Community outreach and lay testing have been heavily affected. All treatment facilities and service points are operating at full capacity. Prevention of vertical transmission and pediatric services are also functioning without disruption.
- Supplies: ARV supplies, HIV tests, viral load tests, and condoms are available with minimal disruption. According to the Viet Nam Administration of Disease Prevention, PEPFAR committed to support about 40,000 PrEP clients in 2025. The Global Fund is supporting 23,000 PrEP clients in 2025 and 25,000 in 2026.
Immediate Risks and Disruptions
- Funding Freeze: The freeze on PEPFAR funding has significantly impacted the expansion of PrEP coverage. This has led to disruptions in access to PrEP and reduced capacity for HIV prevention services, particularly affecting men who have sex with men, and transgender people.
- Stigma and Discrimination Programs: Almost all PEPFAR supported initiatives addressing stigma and discrimination have been halted and those allowed to continue with support through US CDC are requested to not refer to transgender persons and other key populations, which could exacerbate challenges faced by key populations.
- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): There has been a reduction or suspension of services provided by CSOs, limiting their ability to participate in essential HIV services, policy discussions, data collection and reporting, and access to government or donor support.
Politically Relevant Updates
- Government Response: The Vietnamese government, through the Viet Nam Administration of Disease Prevention, has formed an informal task team to receive feedback from organizations of people living with HIV and key populations.
- Precise numbers of the affected CBO community workers are not available. The government is not assuming the costs for the community workers affected by the PEPFAR freeze.
- International Support: The US funding cut has led to the suspension and/or termination of USAID-funded projects, including critical healthcare programs for tuberculosis and HIV prevention and strengthening of systems for health/HIV. Despite these challenges, the Vietnamese government remains committed to prioritizing resources and implementing effective measures for HIV prevention and control.