The Vietnam’s methadone maintenance treatment program, including the dispensing medication and psychosocial supports have been seen as a great success to control HIV/AIDS among people who use and inject opioid or heroin. Vietnam has one of Asia’s fastest growing HIV rates. By the end of 2015, the number of people living with HIV was approximately 250,000. To date, the HIV epidemic has been concentrated among people who inject drugs (PWID), primarily heroin and those using amphetamine type stimulants (ATS). Piloted in 2008, initially as an harm reduction approach, as of July 2021, approximately 53 thousands patients are on treatment at 361 specialized methadone clinics in all 63 provinces of Vietnam.

The government of Vietnam has seen Methadone very cost effective in controlling HIV epidemic and in improving all aspects of life. The program has been also proven in increasing HIV testing, putting those HIV positive and adhere to ARV treatment. When treated and recovered well, patients reduce using drugs and sharing needle, as such reduce HIV infection and other blood born diseases such as hepatitis B and C. Building an effective substance use disorder treatment system and skilled workforce capable of responding to changes in drug use problems requires innovations, such as using technology to ensure patients adhere to treatment and therapies, including counseling, group recovery and social supports.

We would like to share our summer experience on having an internship to work in Dai Dong Methadone clinic and suggest few solutions for improving treatment and recovery efforts