In Vietnam, between 2000 and 2006, HIV rates among 15- to 49-year-olds in the general population have increased from 27% to 53%. The HIV epidemic is occurring in a context of rapid socioeconomic changes, which have brought about conflicting ideals and norms between "traditional" and "modern" gender roles. We discuss the processes for developing the Exploring the World of Adolescents gender-specific HIV prevention curricula for 15- to 21-year-old adolescents living in both rural and urban Vietnam. The curricula are modeled after an existing HIV prevention program previously adapted and evaluated in Vietnam (Vietnamese Focus on Kids) and based in social learning theory (prevention motivation theory) contextualized within socioeconomic changes. The overall capacity building and participatory strategies for program development included (a) review of the HIV/AIDS and socioeconomic conditions in Vietnam, (b) review of the Vietnamese Focus on Kids curriculum themes and the theoretical constructs from the protection motivation theory, (c) analysis of qualitative and quantitative needs assessment data to incorporate culturally significant issues of gender and sexuality, and (d) a review of themes and activities from existing evidence-based adolescent reproductive health curricula.