Over 1,400 people living with or affected by HIV (PLHIV) in Vietnam have found a job or realized their dream of running their own businesses with support from the U.S. Government. This is one result of the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) workplace-based HIV prevention project funded under the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

USAID's Workplace-Based Prevention and Employment and Supportive Services for High-Risk Individuals (USAID HIV Workplace) project helped find job opportunities for PLHIV and prevent new infections among groups at risk of HIV since 2008, in cooperation with the Vietnamese government and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Through job placement support and training, the project helped more than 1,200 PLHIV find stable jobs or become self-employed. In addition, with project support, 220 PLHIV received over $100,000 in loans through three Vietnamese microfinance providers: the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies; TYM, a microfinance service provider under the Vietnam Women's Union; and M7/Community Financial Resource Center. The success of the microfinance model for PLHIV has encouraged these partners to commit $1 million in loans to this target group. Additionally, the project, in collaboration with other partners, conducted policy advocacy that resulted in new policies and practices to support HIV prevention and create economic opportunities for PLHIV.

"This project has shown that with fair opportunity and reduced stigma, people living with or affected by HIV can make significant contributions to society while improving their quality of life," said USAID Mission Director Joakim Parker at an event to mark the completion of this five-year project. "I am pleased that the achievements of the project will be sustained and scaled up with local funding."

The project has also expanded workplace-based HIV prevention activities to 118 enterprises in eight provinces and cities throughout the country (An Giang, Can Tho, Dien Bien, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nghe An and Quang Ninh) with over 100,000 people trained on HIV prevention. These corporate partners have contributed $750,000 for HIV prevention programs at their workplaces.

"The USAID HIV workplace project has helped us build up a national policy on provision of loans and job creation to the targeted groups with the project's practical technical assistance based on its good models and international experiences," said Mr. Le Duc Hien Deputy General Director of Department of Social Vices Prevention under Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. "This is a very fruitful and effective partnership."