The present invention discloses development of a model live vaccine for HIV, using an attenuated strain of Salmonella engineered to surface express specific HIV proteins and testing of this vaccine in mice. There are provided two recombinant plasmids, containing the Lpp-OmpA genes required for surface exposure, followed by the genes for the HIV-1 proteins, Reverse Transcriptase or Transactivating protein (Tat). These plasmids are electroporated into an attenuated strain of Salmonella, and antigen expression is verified. These live vaccines are then used to orally inoculate mice and the vaccinated mice are tested for fecal IgA response and helper T cell response specific for the HIV antigens.