Different agencies may have a different demographic of children available for adoption. Agency X may only work in one province and their baby center (orphanage)houses ten children. Agency Y may be licensed in three provinces and one of their centers is a large, government run facility. You have every right to ask agencies all about their baby centers and the children that they currently have available for adoption.

Here is some information about the children available for adoption from Viet Nam:

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  Although there are both boys and girls free for adoption, your wait may be slightly (or significantly, depending on your agency) shorter if you request a boy.


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  Infant, toddler, older child (up to age 15)and special needs adoptions are available.


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  Children over nine years old need to consent to the adoption in writing.


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  Children may be abandoned or relinquished by their birth family.



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  Most children are abandoned or relinquished due to poverty and/or the social stigma of being an unwed mother.



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  Any and all information that Viet Nam has on your child will be given to you upon the finalization of the adoption.


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  Generally, the health of Vietnamese children being cared for in baby centers is good.


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  When you receive your referral, you will likely be given (at a minimum) your child's height, weight, and blood test results for HIV and Hepatitis.
  



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  Although there are some larger baby centers (orphanages), there are many small baby centers that provide care for only a few children at a time. Most of these centers employ caring nannies who provide excellent care to the children. Be sure to ask your agency about the baby center where your child will be living.

On the whole, Vietnamese children living in baby centers are generally healthy and well cared for. Also, many agencies have special programs and incentives for families wanting to adopt older or special needs children.