The effectiveness of the online HIV self-testing model.

The online HIV self-testing model in Bac Ninh helps people easily access safe and confidential healthcare services. Discover how to self-test and connect with effective HIV treatment!

A new, more proactive approach to HIV prevention.

HIV self-testing is a method by which people can perform tests at home using test kits, especially oral fluid tests. This model is encouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO) and implemented by the Ministry of Health to expand access to HIV testing in a convenient and confidential manner.

Currently, diverse HIV testing and counseling models are being implemented, including: testing in healthcare facilities and community-based HIV testing. In addition, social enterprises, community-based organizations (CBOs), peer educators, and collaborators are also involved in providing HIV testing and counseling services and supporting the connection of communities to ARV treatment.

Illustrative image.

In 2022, the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control (now the Department of Disease Prevention) organized the provision of HIV self-testing kits via the website http://tuxetnghiem.vn in 35 provinces and cities so that people with risky behaviors could self-test for HIV and be connected to confirmatory HIV testing.

The HIV self-testing model (using oral fluid tests - Oral Quick Test) is a form of HIV testing for high-risk groups through an online system. With just a smartphone or computer connected to the internet, people can assess their risk of HIV infection and receive an accurate, convenient, safe, highly confidential, and completely free self-test.

High efficiency

Speaking with a reporter from the Health and Life Newspaper, MSc. Dr. Tran Xuan Thanh, Head of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department at the Bac Ninh Center for Disease Control No. 1, said that in Bac Ninh, the online HIV testing model via the website "tuxetnghiem.vn" has been implemented since June 2022 with support from the Global Fund Project for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control. The model addresses the urgent need in the former Bac Giang province (now Bac Ninh province) where in recent years, new HIV infections have increased rapidly among MSM – a high-risk population for HIV infection but difficult to reach and not yet ready to disclose their identity.

To effectively implement these activities, the Bac Ninh Provincial Center for Disease Control No. 1 assigned the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department to develop a plan, appoint staff to act as focal points for implementing the plan's contents; manage the website, manage test order requests, promote HIV test distribution activities on online channels, package reagents, contact customers receiving HIV tests; and assign staff to participate in counseling for customers according to the schedule on the website http://tuxetnghiem.vn. Community-based organizations (CBOs) review and notify customers with inappropriate behaviors.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention actively coordinates with Health Centers to direct commune and ward health stations in the area to widely disseminate this model so that individuals at risk of HIV infection can participate in risk assessment, receive free HIV testing, and perform HIV testing at home.

In addition, Bac Ninh organized direct outreach and guidance on online software for home HIV testing for peer groups of injecting drug users and men who have sex with men (MSM); and organized workshops and meetings for officials involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and control work in the province.

MSc. Dr. Tran Xuan Thanh, Head of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department, Bac Ninh Center for Disease Control No. 1.

Thanks to these coordinated activities, HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts have achieved many positive results. According to a report from the Bac Ninh Center for Disease Control No. 1, from June 2022 to November 2025, the website tuxetnghiem.vn recorded 784 visits, with 537 people successfully registering for self-testing for HIV. Of these, 131 were MSM (men who have sex with men), 97 were female sex workers, 105 were injecting drug users, and the remainder were other individuals. 110 clients submitted their self-test results to the system, of which 13 tested positive for HIV. 100% of clients with positive HIV test results were connected to HIV confirmatory testing laboratories to continue testing according to the Ministry of Health's guidelines.

Since the beginning of 2025, 111 clients have successfully received self-testing kits. Of these, 3 clients who tested positive for HIV were connected to confirmatory HIV testing and ARV treatment, and 15 clients were connected to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment.

According to Dr. Tran Xuan Thanh, Head of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department at the Bac Ninh Center for Disease Control No. 1, despite many positive results, the model still faces some difficulties in implementation. Some clients at risk of HIV infection do not know how to register online due to limited access to technology; some clients are hesitant or uninterested in sharing their self-test results; and some registered clients provide inaccurate phone numbers, making it difficult for healthcare staff to contact them and provide post-test support services.

In the coming period, the Bac Ninh CDC will strengthen communication about the benefits and security of the online HIV self-testing system, encouraging people to actively participate and provide accurate information to receive the quickest and most convenient support.

The model's goal is not only to detect new HIV infections early, help people access treatment early, improve health, and reduce the risk of transmission in the community, but also to contribute to the national goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vietnam by 2030.

Health and Life Newspaper In collaboration with the Department of Disease Prevention (Ministry of Health), they launched the ' National Journalism Award on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control'.

The National Journalism Award on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control is an award organized by the Health & Life Newspaper in collaboration with the Department of Disease Prevention (Ministry of Health), aiming to honor outstanding journalistic works that truthfully reflect exemplary individuals and groups across the country in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

THE RULES FOR THE "NATIONAL JOURNALISM AWARD ON HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL" ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1. Name of the Award

"National Journalism Award on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control"