From the May of 2009, PHAD has officially been selected to work with Abt Associates Inc. together with COHED, ISDS, Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, Boston University to implement HPI Project. The project was funded by USAID using the fund from PEPFAR. HPI project started from 2008 and will ended in 2013.

The HPI project was designed to assist the collaborative efforts of the Government of Vietnam, U.S. Government, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders to develop and implement evidence-based and best practice-driven laws, policies, plans, and programs for HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment and impact mitigation in Vietnam. The HPI Vietnam task order aims to achieve three key results:

1. Adoption and implementation of national and local HIV/AIDS policies, plans, and programs based on international best practice;
2. Strengthen and support for effective public sector and civil society advocates and networks to assume leadership in the policy process; and
3. Development and deployment of timely and accurate data for evidence-based decision making.

Many organizations, views, and interests are involved in and influence the development of laws, policies, and programs addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vietnam. There are many sensitive issues involved and the political landscape is extremely complex. Abt Associates’ overall concept of the ongoing development and improvement of HIV/AIDS-related laws, policies, and programs in Vietnam comprises the following continuous steps:

Making laws, policies, and plans;

• Disseminating information on laws and policies to program implementers (so they know what they can legally do and should do, and to policy makers so they can understand the inconsistencies, gaps, and weaknesses, as well as the strengths, in the legal and policy environment;
• Implementing programs according to law and policy (i.e. translating law and policy into action);
• Monitoring and evaluating laws, policies, plans, programs, and resource allocation; and thus
• Providing a continuous feedback loop so that further revisions and improvements to laws, policies, and programs may be achieved.

In seeking to influence positively this process, Abt Associates Inc. considers the following principles to be integral to our work on HPI Vietnam:

• Work closely with all stakeholders, including government, civil society, UN agencies, and others;
• Listen, encourage, and gather input on HPI activities;
• Assess the needs and gaps in all activity areas;