Going for Ella’s exit interview at the United States Embassy in Hanoi was a positive and interesting experience. The picture to the right shows us outside the building after the interview was over. I didn’t really know what to expect, but our time there was much more low key and calm than I had anticipated.

When we arrived our agency’s staff member Hoa had to wait outside. I didn’t realize that because she was not a U.S. citizen, she was not permitted in the building. We had our American staff member... more

I took this picture in the early part of our trip to Viet Nam while we were walking around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. I was instantly drawn to it for some reason before I even realized that I had just taken a picture of a wheel barrel of trash. But it was beautiful to me, so I didn’t really think twice about it till now.

Looking back I think I was so drawn to this wheel barrel because I was just fascinated by the non la hat that was placed on top of the just picked flowers. For some reason that non la... more

Listservs are online groups that "talk" to each other through email, but the emails are sent to the group for everyone to benefit from. I found the following yahoogroups to be extremely helpful during the research and waiting phase, and I know they'll be valuable now that Ella's home. Some of them are extremely busy and get dozens (or more) posts per day. If you don't want your email inbox to be full of these messages, there is an option to not receive emails and you can read them at your leisure on the main website through yahoogroups.

If... more

I thought we had it made with our direct Thai Air flight from JFK (New York) to Bangkok, Thailand and then a short flight into Hanoi. A direct flight would be so wonderful for families traveling to bring their children home; and even better on the way home if said child isn't too thrilled about flying!

Vietnam Airlines set to begin first ever direct flights to US Vietnam Airlines plans to start its first direct flight to the US by year-end, its vice general director, Pham Ngoc Minh,... more

Choosing an adoption agency can be extremely stressful. It is an emotional and uncertain time in your life, and I want to help you lower your blinders and make decisions with your head; not just your heart.

First off, it is very important to find out an agency’s policies regarding what will happen if you change your mind once you’ve signed on with them. Many agencies state that the amount of money that will be refunded if you decide to leave them depends on which step of their adoption process you are in. Red flags may not be raised... more

The Giving and Receiving Ceremony is a special highlight of adopting from Viet Nam. Often called the G&R, the Giving and Receiving ceremony is the actual event in which your child becomes legally yours in the eyes of the Vietnamese government.

G&Rs vary greatly from province to province. Some ceremonies are short and matter of fact; others are more elaborate and emotional. The overwhelming consensus that I have found, though, is that regardless of your style of G&R, it is an extremely unique and unforgettable experience.... more

According to the Department of State, the following is the list of document required for adoption from Viet Nam:

Two (2) sets of the following documents are required:

Adoption Application Form Copies of Passports Permission from the United Sates to adopt Medical Certificates that Prospective Adoptive Parent(s) are in good health, not infected with mental diseases and/or contagious diseases Written proof of financial ability to support the child Prospective... more

My previous post outlined the steps in the Viet Nam adoption process that occur when you are still home in the United States. The following are the steps that will happen once you arrive in Viet Nam.

Your family arrives in your child’s province for the Giving & Receiving (G&R) Ceremony. This ceremony finalizes the adoption according to the Vietnamese government. After the G&R, the Vietnamese passport application is submitted to the provincial police. The provincial police releases the sealed VN passport letter (this step can take anywhere from 1 to 5 days). The provincial part of the adoption process is now complete.... more

My previous posts outlined the adoption process in Viet Nam after your agency begins the process of matching you with your child. It can all be so confusing, so here is a simpler, easy to read break down of the full process. These steps begin when you have completed your dossier.

All agencies operate differently; some handle the authentication of your documents and take care of your travel arrangements. Others leave these steps up to you. These are important things to consider when choosing an agency.

These are the steps that we followed for our adoption in October of 2006.

Your dossier documents are certified at the Secretary of State in the state(s) where... more

Continued from parts 1 and 2….

Following its review of the case, including the findings of the Department of Public Security’s investigation, the Justice Department gives the completed paperwork and a recommendation for or against the adoption to the provincial People's Committee for review. The Justice Department may disapprove the adoption if it finds that criminal acts may have occurred in the processing of the adoption, if the child does not qualify for adoption under Vietnamese law, or if adoption is not in the best interests of the child. The People's Committee then has 60 days to decide whether to accept or reject the application for adoption. If further investigation... more