Continued from parts one and two.

When the bilateral agreement was signed between the U.S. and Viet Nam there was a happy buzz throughout the adoption community. It was hoped (and, likely, assumed) that the new adoption system would be centralized and predictable and the U.S. would be able to have a long, positive relationship with Viet Nam while finding families for the country's children.

Although adoptions are up and running today (the first agencies were licensed in January of 2006), and many children are now with their forever families, the system is not without its faults.

The Joint Council on International Adoption posted this on their website in September 2006:

note: ASP=Adoption Service Provider

September 26, 2006
The Vietnamese government does appear to be working on long-term reform to the adoption process, including eventual accession to the Hague Convention, but the near-term fixes to the immediate problems are more difficult. Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Maura Harty and Children's Issues office director Ellen Conway were in Vietnam on September 13-14, stressed the importance of complying with Vietnam's current obligations under the U.S.-Vietnamese bilateral agreement, including real assessments of ASPs before granting licenses, some sort of enhanced oversight of independent facilitators, and the publication of transparent and uniform fee schedule as soon as possible. The Department of State also continues to stress to the Department of Intercountry Adoptions (DIA) the need for greater accountability in humanitarian assistance projects, which are prerequisite for DIA licensing. Many ASPs, including a number of JCICS members, have reported shakedowns and bribery solicitations by Vietnamese government officials, and much of DOS' emphasis with the DIA continues to be how they can work to combat this.

January 2007: To date there are 36 U.S. adoption agencies who have recieved licenses to conduct intercountry adoptions with Viet Nam (I will be posting the list later in the week.) I am hopeful that Viet Nam will be diligent in assuring its system promotes ethical adoption practices. Time will tell how this year old system will work out, and I'll be sure to keep you updated of any new information.