Gender and Sexuality

From its earliest years, ISDS has been pioneering unique studies of gender, sexuality and sexual health in Vietnam. Two most notable studies are a qualitative inquiry on social construction of sexuality in Vietnam in 2003; and a national survey on sexuality and sexual health in 2009.

In addition to the studies of the general population, ISDS also conducted scientific investigations of sexual minorities of men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, unauthorized rural-urban migrants, commercial sex workers, people living with HIV (PLWHIV), and trafficking victims. Both the state and mainstream society severely stigmatize and discriminate these groups, largely by linking their sexuality to the spread of HIV in the country. Many publications and research papers have been published and widely disseminated.