I asked GROK AI this:
An expat man named Vincent writes in an online, Vietnam Forum, that he has been HIV positive for more than 20 years. He writes: "there is a question about obtaining a work permit for which it is necessary to pass a medical examination in which HIV tests are present. Can I be denied a work permit in Vietnam because of that? And how does Vietnamese society treat HIV-positive people?"
Could you please compose a response to Vincent, according to the facts you know about Vietnam labor & immigration law, and based on your general assessment of Vietnamese cultural attitudes regarding HIV positive individuals in their communities?
Thanks 🙏
GROK REPLIED
**Hi Vincent,**
Thanks for sharing your situation openly—managing HIV successfully for 20+ years is a real achievement, and it puts you in a strong position here. I'll answer your two questions directly based on current Vietnamese law (as of 2026) and general cultural realities. I'm not a lawyer or doctor, so this is for information only—**strongly recommend consulting an immigration/work-permit specialist** (e.g., in Hanoi, HCMC, or Da Nang) and a reputable international clinic for personalized advice.
### 1. Can you be denied a work permit because of an HIV-positive result in the medical exam?
**Legally, no—you should not be denied solely because of your HIV status.**
- Vietnam’s **Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control** (2006, with amendments) explicitly prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV in employment, education, and public services. The Labor Code 2019 and related decrees reinforce this: foreigners must be “fit for work,” but HIV itself is not listed as an automatic disqualifier.
- The mandatory health certificate for work permits (governed by **Circular 32/2023/TT-BYT**, effective 2024) requires a general fitness assessment. An HIV test is **not compulsory** on the official form (per older Circular 14/2013/TT-BYT that still applies). Some authorized clinics include it anyway, but the key point is this: **controlled HIV (on ART, undetectable viral load, good overall health) is not considered an active communicable disease that blocks clearance**. Only untreated/active conditions posing a real transmission risk or severely impairing work ability lead to rejection.
- You are not required to disclose your status to your employer or the Department of Labour (DOLISA). You can import your personal ARV medication with a prescription and proof it’s for your own use (Circular 39/2013/TT-BYT).
**In practice**:
- Most authorized hospitals/clinics (Vinmec, FV Hospital, CarePlus, Family Medical Practice, etc.) issue the certificate if your records show stable, well-managed HIV and no other red flags (uncontrolled hypertension, active TB, etc.). Bring your latest viral-load/CD4 results and treatment summary—they help the doctor confirm fitness.
- Anecdotes from expat forums vary (some teachers have had smooth processes; others report extra scrutiny), but official guidance from UNAIDS Vietnam is clear: HIV+ expats with good health are eligible and work here every day.
- Tip: Do the medical exam in Vietnam at a reputable international clinic (costs ~VND 2–4 million / $80–160, takes half a day). Foreign certificates are accepted but need legalization/translation and are only valid 6 months. Get the certificate within 12 months of your work-permit application.
If a clinic pushes back unreasonably, you have grounds to request a second opinion or appeal via DOLISA—the law is on your side.
### 2. How does Vietnamese society treat HIV-positive people?
Vietnam is generally polite and non-confrontational, but **HIV still carries some stigma**, especially outside big cities or among older generations. Here’s a balanced picture:
- **The context**: HIV was historically linked to “social evils” (drug use, sex work), so there’s residual moral judgment + fear of casual transmission (even though education has improved dramatically). Studies and surveys show stigma is more common in families and communities (avoidance, gossip, or reluctance to share meals/utensils) than in healthcare settings. Self-stigma and fear of disclosure are also real.
- **The good news**: Attitudes have improved a lot thanks to government campaigns, near-universal ART access, and younger/urban populations. In Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, or expat-heavy areas, most people are pragmatic—especially if you’re healthy, working, and not visibly ill. Discrimination is illegal, and many Vietnamese PLHIV live normal, open lives with support networks like the Vietnam Network of People Living with HIV (VNP+).
- **For expats specifically**: The foreign community is usually very supportive and discreet. Vietnamese colleagues and neighbors are often warm and respectful as long as the topic never comes up. Most people simply don’t ask personal health questions. If you keep it private (which the vast majority of PLHIV here do), you’ll face zero daily issues. Disclosure is a personal choice—only share with trusted close friends or partners.
Bottom line: You can live and work here comfortably, especially after 20 years of successful management. Urban Vietnam (and the expat bubble) is far more accepting than rural areas or the 1990s–2000s era.
If you’d like, feel free to message me privately for clinic recommendations, lawyer contacts, or links to the UNAIDS Vietnam FAQ on expat HIV rights (very helpful official page). Wishing you a smooth process—Vietnam is a great place to live and work, and plenty of long-term HIV+ expats are thriving here.
Take care, and best of luck!
GROK
