A recent UNC-led study in Vietnam has demonstrated the promise of a supportive, community-based counseling program in helping individuals stay engaged with ongoing care and wellness services. The program, an adapted version of the Friendship Bench, was tailored for participants receiving care for long-term health conditions, including HIV. Led by Drs. Bradley Gaynes, Brian Pence, and Tran Viet Ha, the UNC Project-Vietnam study explored how structured, conversation-based support could be delivered by both professionals and trained community members. The adapted Friendship Bench builds on a successful model developed to provide practical, solution-focused sessions in community settings. The UNC team modified the approach for the local context in Vietnam, with an emphasis on accessibility and cultural fit. Participants received six weekly sessions with either a professional counselor or a peer trained through community health networks. A third group continued with enhanced usual care. The goal: to determine whether regular, structured conversations could promote greater overall wellness and treatment engagement. The UNC Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases has used variations of the Friendship Bench in several countries, including trials focused on wellness support in Malawi, care for new mothers (Periscope), and adolescents living with HIV (HEADS-UP). This growing body of work highlights UNC’s leadership in developing practical, person-centered strategies to support HIV care and overall health in diverse settings.