In summary, stigma was reported to affect where MSM find partnersin both Hanoi and Thai Nguyen, but the effect of stigma on partner selection appears to be particularly strong in Thai Nguyen, where men frequently need to either go online or to a major city to meet other MSM. The social environment in Hanoi has allowed MSM to find sexual partners, explore their sexual identity, and find acceptance. This seems to have allowed the development of gay-friendly venuesin Hanoi.