Last week, the Vietnamese government decided to start subsidizing condoms to encourage their usage among students.
The new policy hopes to address public concerns over sex education after a couple in Hanoi made headlines for being hospitalized after using a plastic bag as protection in place of a condom.
Nguyen Van Tan, deputy general director of the General Office for Population and Family Planning, told Tuoi Tre that with the new subsidy, students can purchase condoms for about VND1,000 (US$0.04). However the agency did not specify how and where young citizens can procure these contraceptives at the reduced price.
Access to standard condoms has recently become an issue as Vietnam approaches middle-income country status and is no longer qualified to receive as much financial aid for contraceptives as before. According to NPR, before 2010, 80% of condoms in Vietnam were previously paid for by international donors. This explains why locals could once get them for free or at a maximum of five cents apiece.
However, in order to obtain condoms from the government, Vietnamese will have to register their name at local medical facilities. This requirement undoubtedly inconveniences shy Vietnamese youth, who tend to avoid sex-related topics due to years of improper sex education.
Since the free condom supply has gradually shrunk, Vietnam has started relying on the free market to get contraceptives. As of now, 85% of condoms are purchased at pharmacies, grocery stores or roadside stalls, a welcome change that provides young locals with more privacy than government agencies. However the quality of these commodities still remains an issue, as the majority of condoms sold on the market are substandard and tear easily.
Additionally, in spite of their accessibility and people’s willingness to pay for them, the mere mention of condoms can still make many Vietnamese blush. The stigma surrounding sex before marriage often prevents young couples from buying condoms as they fear being judged by sellers and fellow shoppers. This social stigma can also lead to more serious issues: Vietnam has one of the highest abortion rates in Asia.
[Photo via Flickr user Rorro Navla]
