By: Adoption.com Staff | Date: 5/14/2026

Vietnam is open to U.S. families who want to adopt. The program follows the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, which means strong protections are in place for children, birth families, and adoptive families at every step.

Gladney was selected in February 2025 as one of only three U.S. agencies authorized to place children from Vietnam. That is not a small thing. Vietnam limits the number of agencies it allows to operate in the country on purpose. It is a sign of the trust Vietnam places in the agencies it chooses.

The children waiting for families in Vietnam include older children, sibling groups, and children with a range of medical and developmental needs. Families who are open and prepared are urgently needed.

This guide covers who can adopt, how the process works, what it costs, and how to raise a child with a strong connection to Vietnam.

Why Families Choose Vietnam

Vietnam’s Adoption History

Vietnam joined the Hague Convention on February 1, 2012. Since then, it has worked to build a stronger, more ethical adoption system. The country’s central adoption authority is the Ministry of Justice, Department of Public Records Administration.
Vietnam reopened adoption processing with the United States in September 2014 through a Special Adoption Program. That program was limited to children with special needs, children age 5 and older, and sibling groups. In December 2020, those limits were lifted. All eligible children in Vietnam may now be considered for intercountry adoption under the Hague Convention.
Today, only three U.S. agencies are authorized to place children from Vietnam: Gladney Center for Adoption, Holt International Children’s Services, and Alliance for Children. Working with one of these three agencies is required by the Vietnamese government.

Is Adopting From Vietnam Right for Your Family?

Who Can Adopt From Vietnam?

Vietnam’s program is more open than many. Both married couples and single adults may apply. The requirements below reflect Gladney’s current program criteria. Always confirm current eligibility with your adoption service provider before you begin.

• Age: Applicants must be between 25 and 55 years old. You must be at least 20 years older than the child you wish to adopt. Applicants 55 and older are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Marital status: Married heterosexual couples and single adults are eligible. Couples must have been legally married for at least one year. No more than two divorces per parent. Applicants with more divorces are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Same-sex couples: Vietnamese law does not recognize same-sex marriage. Applications from same-sex couples are not accepted.
• Children already in the home: Families with no more than four children currently in the home are eligible. Families with more than four children may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Health: Families must be physically and mentally healthy and able to provide for a child’s needs.
• Financial stability: Vietnam has no set minimum income. Families must show they are financially stable and can provide for the child’s care and education. At minimum, families must meet 125% of U.S. poverty guidelines, which is a USCIS requirement for all intercountry adoptions.
• Background: A stable home and strong relationship history are considered. Applicants with major arrest histories should contact Gladney before applying.
• Citizenship: At least one applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

Requirements are subject to change. Always confirm current eligibility criteria with your adoption service provider before beginning the process.

Requirements are subject to change. Always confirm current eligibility criteria with your accredited adoption service provider before beginning the process.

Cultural Considerations

When you adopt from Vietnam, your child’s Vietnamese identity comes home with them. It is part of who they are. Supporting that identity is one of the most important things you can do as a parent.

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Children coming home from Vietnam will speak Vietnamese. Keeping your child connected to their language matters. Look for Vietnamese language classes in your area. Connect with Vietnamese American communities near you. Vietnamese American communities are found across the U.S., with large populations in California, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

Vietnam has a rich and layered culture. It has been shaped by thousands of years of history, by Confucian values, by Buddhism and Taoism, and by a spirit of resilience and warmth. Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is the most important celebration of the year. It is a time of family, food, and renewal. Families can celebrate Tết together at home or through local Vietnamese community events. Many cities host Tết festivals that are open and welcoming to everyone.

Vietnamese food is beloved around the world. Cooking Vietnamese dishes together at home, visiting Vietnamese restaurants, and connecting with Vietnamese cooking classes are simple and joyful ways to keep your child’s food heritage alive.

For families adopting transracially, which is true of most Vietnam adoptions for U.S. families, cultural connection is not something extra. It is a core part of raising a healthy, whole child. Your child needs to see themselves reflected in the world around them.

Travel Requirements

Vietnam requires one trip. For married couples, both parents are required to travel to receive their child in person. One parent may attend with a Power of Attorney from the other parent if only one can travel, but both traveling is strongly preferred.

The trip is typically around 10 days to two weeks. Families travel to Hanoi and to the province where the child lives. The most important moment of the trip is the “Giving and Receiving” ceremony. This ceremony takes place at the provincial Department of Justice. It is the moment the child is officially placed in your care. After the ceremony, you will receive your child’s Vietnamese birth certificate.

After the ceremony, families complete the visa process at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi. Children enter the U.S. on an IH-3 immigrant visa, and most children adopted by U.S. citizens automatically become U.S. citizens upon entering the United States.

Travel requirements may change. Your adoption service provider will give you the most current guidance when you begin your process.

Start Your Vietnam Adoption Journey

Vietnam needs families who are ready to be patient, flexible, and open. The children waiting there are resilient and remarkable. The program is new in its expanded form, and Gladney’s team is on the ground and actively working to connect children with families.
If you are ready to take the first step, or just want to learn more, Gladney’s Vietnam team is here to help. We are one of only three agencies authorized to do this work, and we are honored to do it.

This page was last reviewed in April 2026. Program information is verified against the U.S. Department of State and current Gladney program materials. For the most current official information, visit travel.state.gov and search “Vietnam intercountry adoption.” Requirements are subject to change. Always confirm current eligibility criteria with your adoption service provider before beginning the process.