(Last updated 4/07)

The Children
After a two-year moratorium of adoptions, U.S. families can again begin adopting children from Vietnam with programs opening this Fall or Winter. Families should expect children to be ages 8-18 months or older at the time of referral, with many older children available and in need of their forever family. Prematurity and low birth weight, due to maternal malnutrition, are common and referral information is minimal. Travel will occur approximately 1-3 months after the family formally accepts the child referred to them.

Infants being placed for adoption in Vietnam are cared for in small provincial orphanages, where they are cared for until adoptive parents can travel to pick them up. They receive checkups and vaccinations. First time parents must be open to either gender, however, families already parenting a child may request a specific gender; those parents requesting an infant girl should expect to wait longer.

Parent Requirements
Single women and couples may adopt from Vietnam. In general parents should be no more than 50 years old at the time of placement. A minimum family income of $30,000 is required. There are no marriage or divorce requirements, but the stability of your present marriage will be considered. Vietnam will not allow the adoption of a child by a gay or lesbian person.

The Process
Families can expect to receive a child referral for a boy approximately two to six months after the dossier is submitted; wait times for girls can be from twelve to fourteen months. Families should plan to travel between one and three months after accepting their child referral. 

Travel and Costs

The Cradle strongly recommends that both parents travel to Vietnam to pick up their child, however, only one parent is required to travel.  During this trip, adoptive parents are sometimes able to meet their child’s caregivers and at the very least, they are able to visit and learn more about the country of their child's birth. Vietnam allows only one parent to travel to pick up their child. Parents should expect to stay in Vietnam for approximately 3-5 weeks.

Quick Reference Guide

All fees subject to change without notice.

* Other expenses include: air transportation to and from Russia, US CIS ���fee, hotel stay, meals, parents' and child's visa, and medical exam.