A person living with HIV/AIDS will join the cast of the Youth Theatre's production Con Muon Den Truong (I Want to Go to School) for a college and university tour of the nation's central region between March 23 and April 8 that will include the provinces of Nghe An, Thanh Hoa and Kon Tum.

HIV-positive Tran Hoang, a member of "For a Bright Future" network, will also participate audience in question-and-answer sessions after each performace to help students gain a better understanding of HIV/AIDS.

The performances aim to raise community awareness about discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS, and gain sympathy for people who simply wish to lead a normal life, said performance director Bui Nhu Lai.

"We hope many young people will have a chance to see the show with a view to reducing discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS," Lai said.

The Youth Theatre performances will also include a second short play entitled Noi Tiep Nhung Giac Mo (Dreams Succeed). The performances were sponsored by the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and last year toured colleges and universities in Hanoi and HCM City . The current tour has received additional support from the Philippine Educational Theatre Association and Kon Tum province

"Our performances have been warmly received by both faculty and students," Lai said. "The audience enthusiasm put fire into our performances. The audiences cried and then gave hugs and shook hands with the HIV/AIDS patients."

After the performances, the cast will share the stage with the audiences./.