The aim is to encourage pregnant women to participate in taking HIV tests to learn about their health situation as well as full access to services that help prevent HIV transmission from mothers to children.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong emphasised that this year's campaign should focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV effectively with the support of the Party and the whole nation. Also, it is necessary to apply various forms of propaganda amongst the people to cope with the situation year by year, he said.

This year's campaign will be implemented in 63 provinces and cities with 225 destinations to provide services for raising public awareness of the need to prevent HIV transmission from mothers to children.

According to the Ministry of Health, around 6,000 pregnant women are infected with HIV each year and the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission might reach 35 percent if no preventive measures are taken.

The launch ceremony was co-organised by the Ministry of Health and the city's People's Committee.