Joint Circular No. 29/2013/TTLT-BYT-BVHTTDL-BCA-BLDTBXH guiding the implementation of measures to reduce harm through condom distribution for HIV prevention at accommodation service establishments.

JOINT CIRCULAR

GUIDELINES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HARM REDUCTION INTERVENTIONS IN HIV PREVENTION THROUGH CONDOM USE AT LODGING SERVICE BUSINESSES transmission ofHIV through condoms at accommodation service establishments

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CamendPursuant to Decree No. 164Article 10Decree No. 8/2007/NĐ-CP dated June 26, 2007 detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS Infection;amenddetailed implementation regulations for 2007 concerningi certain provisionsonDecree No. 63/2012/NĐ-CP dated August 31, 2012 stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;ẽDecree No. 3/2013/NĐ-CP dated July 16, 2013 stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

CamendDecree No. 77/2009/NĐ-CP dated September 15, 2009 stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Public Security;12/Pursuant to the above decrees, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Minister of Public Security, and the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs issue this Circular. organization This Circular provides guidelines on the implementation of harm reduction interventions in HIV prevention through condom use at lodging service businesses.policies;

Based on Decree No. 76/201This Circular applies to lodging service businesses as defined in Article 1 of this Circular and relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in implementing harm reduction interventions in HIV prevention through condom use at lodging service businesses. organization Article 3. Principles for Implementing Harm Reduction Interventions in HIV Prevention Through Condom Use at Lodging Service Businessesamend1. Ensuring the availability of condoms in accordance with the provisions of this Circular at all lodging service businesses.development tourism and Sports l2. DECISION PERMITTING THE PRODUCTION OF FILMS USING STATE BUDGET FUNDS (FORM NO. 02).

2. Publicizing information about the provision of condoms to customers. organization of the Ministry of Public Security;

Decree No. 106/201This Circular stipulates the management of environmental tasks using state budget funds managed by the Ministry of Transport, including: drafting, approving, organizing the implementation of plans, outlines, budgets; inspecting, accepting, transferring products, disseminating results; terminating contracts and settling accounts. 12, 2013. The implementation of harm reduction interventions in HIV prevention through condom use from programs or projects must comply with the regulations of those programs or projects. organization of the Ministry of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs;

a) Implementing activities to prevent and control infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS: monitoring, early detection, vaccination, preventive treatment, implementing epidemic control measures, and mitigating the consequences of epidemics; preventing and controlling risk factors for the emergence and spread of epidemics and diseases;policiesArticle 4. Implementation of Harm Reduction Interventions in HIV Prevention Through Condom Use at Lodging Service Businesses l1. Providing free informational materials on condom use at the reception desk and in all guest rooms within the business.i2. Providing condoms at the business according to at least one of the following methods: la) Free distribution of condoms in guest rooms or at the reception desk;ib) Selling condoms at the reception desk or placing them in guest rooms with specific prices for each type of condom;

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

c) Installing automatic vending machines for condoms in easily accessible areas of the business.

Article 2. Applicability

d) In addition to the methods specified in points a, b, and c of this Clause, the business may organize other appropriate methods of providing condoms based on its business characteristics and actual conditions.

Article 5. Rights and Responsibilities of Lodging Service Businesses

1. Selling or providing free condoms that have been licensed for circulation and are still within their expiration date at the business. If a program or project specifies that condoms should be provided free of charge, they shall not be sold.

2. Receiving free informational materials on harm reduction interventions in HIV prevention through condom use.

3. Participating in training courses on harm reduction interventions in HIV prevention through condom use.

4. Cooperating with harm reduction intervention programs or projects in the area to provide condoms at locations specified in Article 4 of this Circular.

5. Creating conditions for social marketing of condoms at the business.

6. Creating conditions for authorized agencies, organizations, or individuals to conduct related communication activities regarding condoms at the business.

a) Providing free condoms in guest rooms or at reception desks;

b) Selling condoms at reception desks or placing them with specific prices for each type of condom in guest rooms;

c) Installing automatic condom vending machines in easily accessible areas within the establishment.

d) In addition to the condom provision methods specified in points a, b, and c of this Clause, the establishment may organize other suitable provision methods in accordance with its business characteristics and actual conditions.

Article 5. Rights and Obligations of Establishments

1. Selling or providing free condoms that have been licensed for circulation and are still within their validity period at the establishment. In cases where programs or projects stipulate that condoms should be provided free of charge, they shall not be sold.

2. Receiving free educational materials on interventions to reduce harm in preventing HIV transmission through condoms.

3. Participating in training courses on interventions to reduce harm in preventing HIV transmission through condoms.

4. Cooperating with programs and projects aimed at reducing harm in preventing HIV transmission in the locality regarding the provision of condoms at locations specified in Article 4 of this Circular.

5. Creating favorable conditions for social marketing of condoms at the establishment.

6. Creating favorable conditions for competent authorities to conduct related communication activities concerning condoms at the establishment.

Article 6. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Health

1. Incorporate harm reduction intervention activities using condoms into the National Condom Program for HIV Infection Prevention.

2. Assign units to monitor the implementation of this Circular.

3. Direct and guide provincial health departments in organizing and implementing the provisions of this Circular, including:

a) Coordinate with provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism in organizing, summarizing mid-term results, and concluding the implementation of the provisions of this Circular within their respective jurisdictions;

b) Provide sufficient communication materials on implementing harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention to relevant facilities;

c) Forecast annual condom usage needs of accommodation service businesses within their jurisdiction to develop plans ensuring condom supply;

d) Participate in inspecting the implementation of harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention at relevant facilities within their jurisdiction.

Article 7. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

1. Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Security in organizing, inspecting, summarizing mid-term results, and concluding the implementation of the provisions of this Circular.

2. Assign units to monitor the implementation of this Circular.

3. Organize inspections of the implementation of harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention at relevant facilities.

4. Direct and guide provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism in organizing and implementing the provisions of this Circular, including:

a) Take the lead and coordinate with provincial health departments, provincial labor departments, social affairs departments, and public security agencies in organizing the implementation of harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention; summarizing mid-term results, and concluding the implementation of the provisions of this Circular within their respective jurisdictions;

b) Prepare budget estimates for implementing this Circular to report to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities for consideration and allocation of funds;

c) Organize inspections of the implementation of harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention at relevant facilities within their jurisdiction.

Article 8. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs

1. Assign units to monitor the implementation of this Circular and participate in inter-sectoral inspection teams regarding the implementation of harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention at relevant facilities.

2. Direct and guide provincial Departments of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in organizing and implementing the provisions of this Circular, including:

a) Coordinate with provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism in implementing harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention; summarizing mid-term results, and concluding the implementation of the provisions of this Circular;

b) Participate in inspecting the implementation of harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention at relevant facilities within their jurisdiction.

Article 9. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Public Security

1. Assign public security units to monitor the implementation of this Circular and participate in inter-sectoral inspection teams regarding the implementation of harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention at relevant facilities.

2. Direct provincial public security organs to organize and implement the provisions of this Circular, including:

a) Coordinate with provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism in implementing harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention; summarizing mid-term results, and concluding the implementation of the provisions of this Circular;

b) Participate in inspecting the implementation of harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention at relevant facilities within their jurisdiction.

Article 10. Responsibilities of Provincial People's Committees and Municipal People's Committees under Central Government

1. Issue guidance documents for implementing this Circular to ensure that all facilities within their jurisdiction carry out harm reduction interventions using condoms for HIV infection prevention.

2. Allocate funds from local budgets and other sources as stipulated by the State Budget Law and current legal documents to organize the implementation of this Circular at the local level.

3. Create favorable conditions for programs and projects to operate and develop networks of condom distribution points within their jurisdiction according to their management authority.

4. Appoint provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism as the leading agency in organizing, summarizing mid-term results, and concluding the implementation of the provisions of this Circular.

5. Direct provincial health departments, provincial labor departments, social affairs departments, public security organs, and related agencies to cooperate with provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism in organizing and implementing the provisions of this Circular within their respective areas of management.

Article 11. Effective Date

This Joint Circular takes effect from December 1, 2013.

During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, units and localities are requested to report to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs for consideration and resolution.