Assessment of Female Sex Work in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Women’s Health in Ho Chi Minh City Project (1/11/2004 – 30/9/2006)
Implemented by Ho Chi Minh City AIDS Committee
with technical and financial support from Family Health International (FHI)

Assessment of Female Sex Work
in Ho Chi Minh City

Submitted to Family Health International, Hanoi

by
Nguyen Nguyen Nhu Trang
Hang Thi Xuan Lan

April 2005

Acknowledgements

This assessment was conducted with invaluable support from the collaborators of Quality of Life Promotion (Life) Centre and FHI/HCMCAIDS Project staff and under the thorough guidance of Dr Luu Thanh Tue from FHI. Dr Truong Trong Hoang from the HCMC Health Information, Education and Communication (HIEC) Center provided insightful advice from a sociologist’s perspective. The assessment also received valuable input from Dr Dang Thi Nhat Vinh from the HCMC AIDS Committee and Ms Nguyen Ngoc Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the HCMC Women’s Union. Interviews of the target group and key informants were arranged by Ms Le Dinh Hoang Phuc, the Project liaison officer and Ms Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hanh, Women’s Union staff and Director of Anh Duong Centre as well as the peer educators. Special thanks to the women who gave their time and stories in our discussions.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary 4
Chapter 1: An Up-to-date Overview of Female Sex Work in Ho Chi Minh City 7
Chapter 2: Research Overview 10
2.1 Research Objectives 10
2.2 Research locations 10
2.3 Research Duration 10
2.4 Research Methods 10
2.4.1 Research Sample 10
2.4.2 Sampling method 11
2.4.3 Data collection instruments 11
2.4.4 Data analysis method 12
2.4.5 Ethical considerations 12
2.5 Research Team 12
2.6 Limitations of the Research 12
Chapter 3: Findings 13
3.1 Social, cultural and economic characteristics 13
3.1.1 Social characteristics 13
3.1.2 Educational and cultural characteristics 13
3.1.3 Economic characteristics 14
3.2 Situation and scope of work of FSWs 15
3.2.1 Categories of FSWs 15
3.2.2 Areas and... [continues]

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