Comments on: Dr. Long Interview With Vietnamese Press

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:19:25 +0000

Great analysis. Did anyone respond to you concerning adoption without an agreement.

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:30:17 +0000

Someone brought up this question on another group, and I think it is a really good one… notice how Dr. Long said “If they are from another country that does not have bilateral agreement with Vietnam, more paperwork is required.”

I thought in order to adopt from Vietnam by law, there had to be a bilateral agreement. This statement seems to indicate that this is NOT the case, but that additional paperwork is required. Does anyone know anything else about this? Is it possible that US citizens could still be able to adopt from Vietnam even after the MOU expires, assuming they submit this additional paperwork?

By: Nicki

Nicki — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:03:18 +0000

I think many share this fear. You are right, it isn’t as simple as just enacting new laws and setting things up differently. I wonder if change would have to happen on a cultural level individually in each province in order for a central authority to be really effective in Vietnam.

By: Ruby Hill

Ruby Hill — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:40:39 +0000

There is a famous saying in Viet Nam-The Emperor’s Authority Ends at the Village Gate-this makes me think that a central authority there cannot ever work as it does in China because it is counter to their culture.

By: K

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 02:09:51 +0000

I also read an interview with a judge in Nam Dinh who talked about the safeguards they had as well. I feel that Dr. Long and this judge point to local control and the possibility and issues of irregularity. They also talk about their inability to police the local control aspect of adoptions. But point out that THEIR procedures are transparent and above reproach. Obviously, the need for reform is evident to all of us but still the systems do not cross nor does it seem like either of these gentlemen wants them to. To warn officials to get their act together, it seems to me that oversight and investigation of past adoptions is not really where they want to go.

Even though China has a central system, the news stories about baby selling are resurfacing, complete with evidence that children are being trafficked from VN to China for large sums of money. With recent stories about China and these about VN, I do wonder if it is possible to ever have a fair and just system with money exchanging hands.
This whole situation seems to point to the fact that innocent PAPs, innocent birth families, and innocent children are the losers. Corrupt government officials and agencies with high fees seem to be the winners until the stuff hits the fan.

All of this makes me sick because I have to someday justify international adoption to my children.

By: sue

sue — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:32:52 +0000

I see that the province which my agency works with (Hoa Binh) is listed here, yet my agency never received one referral for an entire year. I was just informed that there will be no more referrals before September 1st. Looks’ like I am the one being punished.

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:41:29 +0000

I do hope if there are future adoptions from Vietnam that Vietnam adopts the centralized matching system that China has. That seems fairer and more easily controlled than all these provinces doing their own thing…

That being said, I’ve become very cynical. I’m just intriqued that this flurry of activity by the DIA comes as the MOU is expiring. I hate to say it, but part of me thinks its a little grandstanding for the U.S.’s benefit. “Look, we are cracking down on corruption!” Especially as the U.S. has said repeatedly that it reports irregularities to VN and VN doesn’t act on the reports.