The project goal is to reduce HIV prevalence among MARPs to increase safer behavior practices and reduce the initiation of drug use among core transmitters and vulnerable populations in Vietnam. The project will be implemented in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Dien Bien, Nghe An, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Lao Cai and An Giang. Target populations are IDUs, MSM, and FSWs and their clients. In COP 12, the project will work to reduce and better target distribution of fully subsidized HIV prevention products with partially subsidized (social marketing) or non-subsidized (commercial) products. Investments in a total market approach (TMA) will reduce requirements for donor subsidy to ensure access to essential HIV-prevention products in Vietnam. To ensure sustainability, PSI will strengthen the government of Vietnams (GVN) capacity in social marketing and BCC approaches through formal training activities, as well as joint-marketing planning exercises. To transition direct services to GVN, the responsibility for management of field-level outreach/interpersonal communication activities will be shifted from PSI to GVN and other local partners. Data collection, data quality assessment exercises (including regular field visits) and more formal studies will be used to monitor and evaluate performance against key indicators identified in the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan. Hiring vehicles are required to implement and monitor activities. Vehicles ensure timely, effective and quality delivery of project-supported social marketing, BCC and supervisory activities implemented in collaboration with GVN and other local partners.

COP 12 funding will be used to conduct a survey to better understand the dynamics between guesthouse operators, FSWs and their clients around the supply and demand for condoms within guesthouses. An outlet survey conducted in COP 11 found that while there was relatively high coverage of condoms in hotels and guesthouses, substantial gaps remain in our understanding of how condoms reach room customers, particularly those that are using rooms for commercial sex. The survey will inform how future activities with guesthouses and hotels are implemented, particularly in regard to the total market approach, contributing to the overarching goal of reducing HIV risk behaviors.

In the past several years, PEPFAR has dramatically expanded its support for HTC services in Vietnam through a variety of partners and mechanisms. PEPFAR Vietnam recognizes that demand creation and social marketing of these services to high-risk individuals is essential to increase service uptake. In COP 12, PSI will use innovative social marketing approaches to increase uptake of VCT among MARPs, reduce the stigma associated with VCT services, and strengthen linkages with care and treatment (C&T) services. The project will use evidence, insights from MARPs and inputs from partners to identify new, effective messages and channels to motivate MARPs to learn their HIV status. Mass media campaigns, as well as interactive tools will be designed to address VCT uptake barriers that are identified through research. The project will work closely with the Vietnam Administration for HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) and service-delivery partners to contribute to VCT accreditation efforts, and to provide marketing/branding support. PSI will work with VCT-implementing partners and local level sites to increase coverage of VCT promotion activities among MARPs groups not reached by other programs (FSWs, MSM, Male Clients, IDUs), such as through direct marketing activities in high-risk venues. PSI will conduct behavioral surveys among MARPs to monitor progress toward key indicators in the Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, as well as to collect information regarding barriers to VCT uptake. Routine MIS (Management Information System) data will be used to monitor exposure to communication activities among those accessing VCT services. PSI will work with Provincial AIDS Committees (PACs), Provincial Health Departments (PHDs) and implementing partners in the 9 PEPFAR-focus provinces to design and implement locally appropriate marketing and BCC strategies to promote uptake of VCT among MARPs.

Social marketing essential prevention commodities, and promoting related safer behaviors, are key to Vietnams HIV prevention portfolio. The project will help ensure sustainable, convenient access to HIV-prevention commodities by: 1) strengthening targeted distribution of social marketing and commercial brands through MARPs-accessible outlets, and 2) advocating for reduced, targeted distribution of fully subsidized prevention products in line with total market approach principles, MARPs willingness to pay and market trends. COP 12 activities include:-Purchase of branded Number One water-based lubricants due to USG restrictions on USAID Central Contraceptive Procurement mechanism (CCF) purchases. Number One products will be packaged and marketed together, and Protector Plus condoms, female condoms and generic lubricant will be distributed to MARPs. Lubricants will be packaged and promoted with condoms.-Develop marketing campaigns and outreach tools to motivate consistent condoms use among MARPs. Trade marketing investments will increase visibility and access of prevention products. Marketing joint marketing with commercial condom brands, male responsibility campaigns, and/or generic condom category promotion will aim to grow Vietnams total condom market.-Develop evidence-based and consumer-focused communication materials with target group input, and pre-test to increase effectiveness. Behavioral surveys of MARPs will track progress. In COP 12, the project will transition from directly supporting FSW outreach by phasing out management support in Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City. PSI will develop evidence-based, interactive tools, and provide training and monitoring to allow provincial governments to sustain quality sex worker outreach with reduced donor subsidies. PSI will monitor distribution of fully subsidized prevention products. PSI will facilitate discussions regarding which MARPs and outlets will receive fully subsidized commodities in COP 12. PSI will work with Provincial AIDS Committees (PACs), Provincial Health Departments (PHDs), NGOs and commercial partners to build GVN and provincial capacity to develop evidence-based, client-focused social marketing programs. PSI will offer advanced capacity-building activities to help partners implement sustainable social marketing and compelling behavior change campaigns.

In COP 12, PSI will use social marketing approaches to reduce unsafe injecting behaviors and promote safer sexual practices among IDUs and their partners in the 9 PEPFAR-focus provinces. Communications to reduce unsafe injecting behaviors and promote safer sexual practices among sex worker IDUs and their clients will be designed based on evidence and audience insights. The project will develop targeted materials and interactive tools to be used by outreach and service- delivery teams working with IDUs. In partnership with the Provincial AIDS Committees (PACs) and Provincial Health Departments (PHDs), PSI will support trainings and supportive supervision activities for IDU-peer outreach programs in selected provinces. Site visits and will be conducted to monitor interventions.