[Bailey88]

I am very happy to read about the new developments in the relationships with US and Vietnam to re-open adoptions in this country. I am very interested in researching agencies now in preparation for the official "start" I was wondering if anyone could pm me with the names of any agencies that specialize in Vietnam adoptions (understanding that many agencies have dropped this program and are all on hold).
Thanks so much!
Elyse

[brandydawn]

Elyse,

Just sent you a pm.

Regards,
Brandy

[Katie63011]

I would also be interested in a pm about agencies operating in Vietnam.

[mellenmc]

If you go to www.adoptvietnam.org, under the "Adoption" page they have a section on agencies that have Vietnam programs.

I have already called a few (and believe me, I was ot the first call they got!), and it looks like some are accepting applications now in anticipation of the re-opening of the program.

Best of luck to everyone!

[moelladeville]

I'd be interested, too!
Marjorie

[brendanod]

I am not sure that agencies are going to be licensed, it may be individual facilitators.

The US Government Department that will be in charge of foreign adoptions will submit a list of facilitators to the Vietnamese Department of Justice in Hanoi. The Ministry will then approve the facilitators involved.

I met the head of the Justice Ministry in Dublin, Ireland 3 weeks ago. The US Government will have to sign a separate agreement with the authorities in HCMC.

Post placement reports will be required on all future adoptions from Vietnam.

The one advantage of the new agreement will be the cost. We pay 6,750 euro about $8,000 this is a set fee that has been agreed with the Vietnamese. $4,000 to the facilitator, $4,000 to humanitarian causes, orphanages etc. You will have to pay travel expenses etc on top.

[KoughGirl]

I am also looking for Adoption Agencies for Vietnam and these are the ones that I have come across.

Adopt Aboard, America Adoptions (Spirit of Adoption), Florida Home Studies Adoptions, Adoptions from the Heart & New Beginnings. I'd check out Adopting.com also, it's an awesome site.

Hey have you looked in financing yet? If so any info on low intrest loans for adopting?

Thanks, Kristin

[brendanod]

Do not pay any money to any agency until they are licensed and agreed with the Vietnamese authorities. Nobody has been licensed yet.

[Bailey88]

If agencies will not be licensed, only facilitators: then how will that information get to us? I am sorry I am just confused!
How do you get the names of the facilitators?
Elyse

[caseymunn]

The agency we're using for China, Dillon International, is already excepting applications for Vietnam with the expectation of being licensed. They were previously licensed in Vietnam before it closed. The Dillon's, who founded the agency in 1972, were even invited to and attended the meeting on July 21 where the new agreement to open Vietnamese adoptions was made. If you have questions about Dillon, please PM me.

[moelladeville]

On a chat with the agency mentioned by caseymunn, they said they had only completed two previous adoptions from Vietnam. I'm confused.

[brendanod]

I have being talking to Mi Ling Sholan She currently handles adoptions from Ireland, Spain & Italy. She is the first qualified lady lawyer to qualify from HCMC. I think she will be nominated and accepted as a US faciliataor. She is a US citizen. I will ask her for her e-mail address. She will be able to help the people who are thinking of adopting from Vietnam.

[caseymunn]

I don't know how many Vietnam adoptions Dillon International has faciliated, but I would feel certain it's more than two! All I know is that they were licensed with them before and expect to be again. I'll ask my SW (who is the Dillon director for Arkansas) and get back to all of you.

[brendanod]

Why use an agency, Irish people do not. Agencies in the US have being charging $20,000 - $60,000 to facilitate intercountry adoption. We pay $8,000 to our Adoption Board and Facilitator to adopt from Vietnam.

Please find in the link below full details of the Irish/Vietnamese agreement. The US agreement will be very similar with the exception of immigration clearance.

http://www.adoptionboard.ie/booklets...ackMay2005.doc

[caseymunn]

I spoke to my sw at Dillon International and this is what she had to say about the Vietnam program:

• The Vietnam adoption guidelines are not set in stone yet, but they hope to be referring children in the next 2 to 4 months.
• Ages will be birth to 15 years.
• Travel will be one trip 7 to 14 days.
• Fees should be comparable to China program.

I am absolutely NOT an adoption expert, but I don't know of any agency that has charged $20,000, much less $60,000 for any adoption from any country. American agencies themselves seem to make somewhere between $3500 and $7000 per adoption. All of the other costs include governmental paperwork, foreign legal fees, and travel. My dh and I are adopting from China and YOU CANNOT adopt from China without going through an agency that is licensed with the CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) in China. Other countries are different, but I think for the most part the adoption agencies in the US are on the up and up and I would certainly hate to get through the legal and paperwork tangles of adoption without my agency.