Objective: To identify prevalence, genotype distribution of HCV among Drug Intravenous User (IDU) and Female Sex Worker (FSW) groups in Vietnam northern coastal area. Subject and methods: Plasma samples were collected from 1566 subjects among two groups (IDU: 1155
FSW' 411) in Vietnam northern coastal area. Plasma viral RNA was extracted from samples that were positive for anti-HCV. 5 'UTR-core va NS5B regions oj HCV were amplified by RT-PCR and Nested PCR. PCR products were sequenced directly or after cloning, and genotyped. Results and conclusions: Anti-HCV prevalence was 65,37 percent and 22,38 percent among IDU and FSW groups in Vietnam northern coastal area. Ten HCV genotypes/subtypes were confirmed. Subtypes 1a
1b
6a
6e
3b was predominant. the authors dint find out genotype 4
5 and subtype 2
6n
6u among IDU and FSW groups. There is no significant difference of the HCV genotype distribution in each group of five provinces in Vietnam northern coastal area. Style of co-infection/recombination of HCV (6a/1a (23,53 percent)
1a/6a (11,77 percent)
6e/1a (11,77 percent)
6a/1b (8,82 percent)
6a/6e (8,82 percent)) were most common in Haiphong. The establishment of the HCV database as trend of HCV prevalence
genotype distribution
routes of HCV transmission among IDU and FSW would be needed for monitoring of hepatitis C in Vietnam northern coastal area