Lunar New Year is the most significant holiday in Vietnam—a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and welcoming good fortune for the year ahead. But while communities across the country gathered to celebrate, Lighthouse Vietnam, a grantee of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, received devastating news: US government funding, which made up over half of their income, was being suspended.
“The information was really limited,” explained Tung, Director at Lighthouse Vietnam. “In the first few weeks, we didn’t really know what to do. It was a shock for everyone and it takes time to develop solutions. We all are genuinely concerned about the future of HIV services for the communities who rely on them for their health and well-being.”
As a result of the funding cuts, Lighthouse Vietnam had to lay off a significant number of staff: reducing peer educators from 19 to 7, psychologists from 3 to 1, and case managers from 4 to 1. Tung explains that this has “overwhelmed the team” as they work to respond to rising community needs.
Barriers to Care for People Living with HIV
Clients seeking HIV prevention and treatment services are also feeling the impact of the funding cuts.
To begin PrEP, individuals now face a $40 fee to cover the required laboratory costs as part of a PrEP co-payment pilot, which many, especially younger or lower-income clients, cannot afford. For people without valid health insurance the cost of starting HIV treatment is around $100 but disruptions to supply are forcing others to pay this fee out-of-pocket for treatment elsewhere. In some cases, these costs prevent people from showing up to the clinic and enrolling in care. Tung also shared how clinics providing HIV treatment in the area are in short supply, forcing clients to make more frequent visits for their medication. This has caused some people to drop out of care or find alternative ways to access their treatment. As a result, some people risk drug resistance by mixing medications that are available.
“We’ve had to become more flexible in how we deliver services,” said Tung. By using a service map—hosted on a website developed with funding support from the Foundation—Lighthouse Vietnam is able to refer clients to a wider range of clinics so that they get the care and treatment they need. In addition, Lighthouse Vietnam is prioritizing providing free services for young clients or those facing economic hardship, including purchasing health insurance cards, to ensure they don’t miss out on treatment and care. Meanwhile, clients with stable or higher incomes are encouraged to contribute partially to service costs if they are able to.
The Human Cost of International Funding Cuts
Tung shared the heartbreaking story of a 15-year-old boy diagnosed with HIV. After being forced to leave home for being gay, he faced major barriers to accessing life-saving treatment because of the legal requirement for parental consent. Lighthouse stepped in to provide mental health counseling and legal support which helped him get the care he needed. But even after overcoming these hurdles, the only medication he could access was a two-week supply of antiretroviral treatment. This was followed by a series of announcements about the potential instability of free medication supplies in the near future, changes in treatment regimens, and advice to prepare for purchasing medications out of pocket which is something he could not afford. He now feels anxious and uncertain about the future, haunted by the fear that his lifeline might be taken away at any moment while he is still struggling with family issues and financial hardship.
In 2025, no young person should be left wondering if they’ll be able to stay healthy simply because of who they are or where they live. But this is the reality facing him and so many others, as international funding cuts trigger supply chain delays, unstable services, and dangerous gaps in care—putting lives at risk.
Through our Rocket Response Fund, the Elton John AIDS Foundation is providing emergency support to partners like Lighthouse Vietnam. This support helps to:
- Keep essential staff in place
- Ensure the most vulnerable can access care
- Make sure no one is left with only two weeks of hope
“I have never seen a situation like this in the past 15 years working in the HIV sector,” Tung said. “We feel like all the doors are closing. We are really grateful that we still have some partners who believe in our mission and vision and support for emergency services for our community.”
Hope and Resilience in the Face of Setbacks
Lighthouse continues to adapt. They are expanding online services, raising funds through social enterprise activities, and strengthening partnerships with other community-based organisations. However, Tung worries that the setbacks they’re experiencing could undo years of hard-won progress in Vietnam’s HIV response.
