The report is based on life history qualitative research conducted in two sites in Viet Nam: Hue and Phu Xuyen. It aims to look in-depth at individual men’s life histories to understand what factors push men towards more violent notions of what it means to be a man, and what factors cause men to associate being a man with more gender-equitable, non violent practices. These research findings have particular significance for prevention work on gender based violence in Viet Nam. Ultimately, this research shows that violence is not inevitable and that change is possible.