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Poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes among youth are reflective of the many barriers members of this group face in accessing health services. This study provides an in-depth account of the unique challenges that young people face in accessing sexual healthcare services in Vietnam. We surveyed 130 men and women aged 18-24 years at two major reproductive health sites in Ho Chi Minh City. We identified and explored seven domains: health insurance status, modern contraception use, HIV/STI testing, cervical cancer screening, unintended pregnancy, reproductive coercion and the patient-provider relationship. Attitudes towards the national health insurance system suggest that it does not facilitate access to healthcare. Despite widespread and affordable services, fears, fallacies and fixed social mores created formidable barriers for unmarried youth to access sexual and reproductive health services in Vietnam.

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