[Magens8]

Hello,
My husband and I are very interested in adopting from Vietnam. I have been following the news and checking websites and it appears that Vietnam is open (JCSIS) site. I have called two agencies and left messages last week, but have received no call backs. Can someone please clarify?

Also, if Vietnam is still closed, it is also considered closed to toddlers who have been residing in child homes for some time?

I also have one final question if you don't mind... For those of you in process or who are already parents - how much medical info did you receive on your kiddos and were you happy with the quality and accuracy of information you received?

Thanks so much

[Lctmtst]

Hi there,

I would love for Vietnam to be open again. I went to the JCICS website, however, and I don't see where they've made this announcement. Can you please provide a link to where you saw this on the JCICS website?

Thanks!

[Magens8]

Vietnam

This is what I saw, but is this correct?

[furrybluemom]

Our agency explained it this way. Vietnam is still working under the agreement it signed with the US government, so it is considered open. However, Vietnam is no longer accepting dossiers from the United States (after July 1, 2008) and will no longer send referrals after September 1, 2008. There are a great many families who would like to see a new agreement signed between our governments. Our agency and many others are working to get a new agreement in place as soon as possible.

[Magens8]

Thank you for the very helpful explanation!

[Bunnygirl]

I would NOT start the process in Vietnam right now, if I were you! The bilateral agreement is ending on September first and there seems to be a LOT of antagonism between Vietnam & the U.S. govt. regarding adoptions at the moment -- the USCIS & USDOS are refusing to approve a number of the referrals that Vietnam has made and Vietnam seems to now be reluctant to give more referrals because they don't think the US will complete the paperwork for these children before the agreement expires.

I do not believe that any agencies are still accepting applications for Vietnam. If you have found one that is, you should be VERY wary of them. The current situation is extremely precarious.

That said, HOPEFULLY, a new agreement will eventually be reached & adoptions will resume. My agency believes that it will take a couple of years before that happens though. Without an agreement in place however NO adoptions from Vietnam by U.S. citizens will be possible, regardless of the child's age or special needs.

[ksquilter72]

I completely agree that any agencies accepting Vietnam applications right now should be avoided. I also agree that it's going to take a while to re-establish an ethical adoption process with Vietnam. My agency says anywhere from a year to three. I also agree that these rumors of SN adoptions continuing are simply rumors - no adoptions will be allowed to continue until both the US and Vietnam agree on new standards.

However, I want to point out that USCIS and the DOS are approving referrals, and the Vietnam adoption authority is still giving and approving referrals. My agency has continued to receive referrals at a typical pace (2-5 referrals per month from what I have seen) and the DOS and Vietnam govt has not held up any of these referrals beyond the stated guidelines.

But unless you have a dossier in Vietnam right now, it's not possible to adopt from this amazing country until new standards are hammered out by our country and theirs. I hope we see a new agreement soon.