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Adopting from Vietnam

The official flag
Source: cia.gov.

Map
Source: cia.gov.

Map
Source: cia.gov.

Rice paddy fields
Source: Wikipedia.org.


Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.


About Vietnam

The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the communist North and anti-communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under communist rule. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies, the persecution and mass exodus of individuals - many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants - and growing international isolation. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The communist leaders, however, maintain control on political expression and have resisted outside calls to improve human rights. The country continues to experience small-scale protests from various groups - the vast majority connected to land-use issues, calls for increased political space, and the lack of equitable mechanisms for resolving disputes. Various ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards of the Central Highlands and the Khmer Krom in the southern delta region, have also held protests. Source: www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/vm.html

Vietnam Adoption Alert

There have been multiple adoption alerts for Vietnam over the years. To learn more please read the Vietnam Adoption Alert page.


Hague Convention Information

Vietnam is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Hague countries must be done in accordance with the requirements of the Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); and the IAA’s implementing regulations, as well as the implementing legislation and regulations of Vietnam.


Intercountry adoptions between the United States and Vietnam are suspended at this time. Adoption service providers (ASPs) and prospective adoptive parents should not seek or accept adoption referrals from Vietnam until the Department of State, as the U.S. Central Authority under the Hague Adoption Convention, has determined that Convention adoptions may proceed.


On July 22, 2013, Vietnam’s Central Adoption Authority, the Ministry of Justice, Department of Adoption (MOJ/DA), announced that it would accept and consider applications from U.S. Hague-accredited adoption service providers for authorization to operate a limited intercountry adoption program only for children with special needs, as defined by Vietnamese law. Should such a program enter into effect, children from Vietnam who may become eligible for intercountry adoption by U.S. citizen parents would include, as per Vietnamese law, children with certain medical needs, children older than five, and children in biological sibling groups of two or more. The MOJ/DA also announced that only two U.S. ASPs may eventually be authorized, but did not provide a specific timeline for their selection. The Department of State is providing the information below for general reference in preparation for Vietnam’s possible authorization of U.S. ASPs.


Please review the July 22 Adoption Notice announcing Vietnam’s acceptance of U.S. ASP applications and continue to monitor adoption.state.gov for further information, as it becomes available.


SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=vietnam