Vietnam has set a target of reducing the number of underweight children that are less than five years old to below 20 percent by the end of the decade.

The target is included in the national nutrition strategy for five years up to 2010, which was announced by the Ministry of Health at a conference in Hanoi on Friday.

The strategy also calls for a reduction of over-weight children under five to less than 5 percent, virtual elimination of Vitamin A deficiency and control of non-contagious diseases caused by malnutrition.

Also... more

Grrrr...why should her case be handled any differenly than the general adopting public? And as an adoptive parent, why isn't she demanding equal treatment to ensure that her adoption is handled in an ethical, legal manner? But at least they're saying she worked with an agency~I wonder if it was a licensed one...

HOLLYWOOD movie star Angelina Jolie is set to adopt a Vietnamese boy in May after being fast-tracked through the system, the nation's top adoption official said today.

The process is being speeded up because... more

Just an interesting little news blurb that I came across...

Ethnic group stilt house to be displayed in Germany

A stilt house typical of the Tay ethnic minority group in northern Vietnam will be on display in Germany in July under a UNESCO-launched campaign for sustainable development.

Thestilt house was handed over to Klemens Van de Sand, Director in charge of the Asia region of Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, by Do Dinh Tien, Director of the Tam Dao National... more

The following information is from adoptionfilm.org :

Today, a revolution is unfolding in America and its effects are rippling through our society. According to one study, nearly six out of every ten people in the US are personally connected to adoption -- whether they are, or are close to, an adoptee, an adoptive parent, or a birthparent whose child has been adopted. The very face of adoption has changed dramatically. Just a couple of decades ago, adoption was regarded with shame and secrecy, but today... more

The Joint Council on International Children's Services issued the following information recently. I'm most interested in the following points made:

The process in Vietnam remains largely decentralized Vietnam has yet to publish a schedule of fees DIA (department of inter-country adoptiona) does not have the ability to address problems at the provincial or local level

The point that I find the most troubling is the fact that the DIA seems to have no power in the provinces. That is ridiculous. The bilateral agreement that created this department seems to have done nothing to remedy the fact that problems are occuring at the provincial level.... more

On Saturday, February 17, at 1:00 p.m., the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation will host a screening, with discussion, of the 2006 Telly Award-winning documentary film, "Operation Babylift-Homeward Bound," accompanied by a ceremony recognizing the late President Ford for his part in the humanitarian mission known as Operation Babylift. This program will be held at the Vietnam Era Educational Center in Holmdel, New Jersey,(Exit 116, Garden State Parkway on the grounds of the PNC NJ Arts Center).

On... more

Good news for families who will be traveling between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in the future! I know most choose to fly, but this new 'bullet train' could be an exciting adventure.

Vietnam plans to build a US$33 billion high-speed railway system that would cut the 1,600-kilometer (1,000-mile) trip from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City by two-thirds, the government has announced.

The new bullet trains would travel at speeds of 300 to 350 kilometers per hour, reducing the current 32-hour train trip to roughly 10 hours,... 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

The Chao Ban Newsletter is an amazing resource for families with kids adopted from Viet Nam. I bought a compilation of many newsletters while we were waiting and I loved reading through them. I plan on holding on to these issues because I am sure they are going to come in handy through the years.

The following information is about the newest edition of Chao Ban:

The winter issue of the Chao Ban Vietnam Adoption Newsletter is now available. http://www.chaobannewsletter.com

Subscribe or resubscribe to get your copy delivered to your home!

The newest issue includes: A report from Vietnam on... more

The Council on Accreditation is looking for feedback on adoption agencies who have applied for Hague Accreditation and Approval through the Council on Accreditation. If you follow this link you can check the list to see if your agency is listed. If so, you can leave your comment (negative or positive) to potentially help future adoptive parents avoid undesirable agencies.

This public comment period will only last until January 31, 2007.

Here is a press release that the Council released about this accrediting process:

Joint Council on International Children's Services and the Council on... more