This information is taken directly from the United States Department of State Website (updated August 2006.) As mentioned in my previous post on how to choose a country, please bear in mind that some agencies may enforce their own requirements that are not necessarily those of Viet Nam.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS:

According to the Vietnamese "Law on Marriage and the Family," adoptive parents must be at least 20 years older than the children they wish to adopt. Only one single person or one married couple may adopt. S/he or they must meet all of the following requirements: have not had their parental rights restricted by authorities, have good ethical qualities, and have the capacity to care for, support, and educate the adoptive child. If married, both persons must meet all requirements. Children up to and including the age of 15 can be adopted. Under Vietnamese law, a child over age nine must consent in writing to his/her adoption.

CIVIL STATUS OF PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS:

Vietnam law permits adoption by married couples (one man, one woman) and single heterosexual persons. Vietnam law prohibits homosexual individuals or couples from adopting Vietnamese children.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS:

None.

TIME FRAME:

The Department of International Adoptions and the other Vietnamese government entities involved in the adoption process have established time limits for certain steps of the process, as outlined below. In practice, however, prospective adoptive parents should not be surprised if these steps surpass the stated time frames. This does not necessarily mean there is anything wrong with the case.

ADOPTION FEES:

As of the publication date of this flyer, the Government of Vietnam has not yet posted its list of required fees in conjunction with intercountry adoptions. Currently, adoptive parents pay a 1,000,000 VND fee (approximately USD 65.00) for the submission of dossiers to the Department of International Adoptions.