Last year CIHP organized a meeting of collaborators of the project “Internet-based intervention on men’s sexual health in Viet Nam” (Nam – man) in Hanoi. The aim of the meeting was to create a space for them to share experiences about the articles they have produced for the Nan-Man website.

The participants of the meeting included Luong Ngoc An, from the Culture and Art Magazine and Dr. Pham Vu Thien, the director of Nam-man website, as well as members of the Lighthouse Club and Green Faith Club who collobarated with the Nam-Man project in Hanoi. The meeting also warmly welcomed the participants from other MSM groups based outside of Hanoi these were Mr Huy Hien, the chairman of Night-star Club in Da Nang city, Dr Ton That Toan, from Center of Health Education in Khanh Hoa province and Multi-color Club, Mr Nhut Tam, an educator of Blue Sky Club in Ho Chi Minh City and Mr Thanh Vu, from Green Field Club in Can Tho province.

The meeting began with a presentation of Nam-men’s staff about the achievements of the website over the past year. . Around 50 articles per month are posted on the site from around 15 regular contributors. These articles cover a range of topics covering sexuality, sexual health, psychology, emotions and love and the promotion of health services for MSM.

Mr. Luong Ngoc An shared his knowledge, experiences and professional skills about how to produce interesting and capitivating articles and the contributors discussed how written articles could be used to help reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by MSM. Dr Pham Vu Thien also shared other ways that information could be shared for example voice recordings and video clips that could be used to diversify the means through which information is delivered. All of the participants agreed that the opportunity to discuss these topics was excellent and helped to improve the way creative media is used in promoting safer sex messges and tackling stigma and discrimination against MSM.