Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong speaks at the "Living life to the fullest" festival, HCM city, November 30, 2024. (Photo: VNA)

The event also featured interactive workshops with experts, as well as numerous booths offering useful information on modern healthcare services.  

In her address, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong highlighted Vietnam’s comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS, including prevention, testing, treatment, reduction of stigma and discrimination, and the expansion of HIV/AIDS services.

Notably, 70,000 people have benefited from the new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program. In 2023, Vietnam led the Asia-Pacific region in access to PrEP, helping 98% of users avoid the risk of HIV transmission, she said.

In 2023, Vietnam reported over 13,400 new HIV cases and more than 1,600 deaths. The Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh city, and Southeast regions recorded the highest prevalence.