Vietnam Adoption

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Holt is one of just three trusted U.S. adoption agencies approved to unite families with children from Vietnam.

In Vietnam, children waiting for permanent, loving families are typically older and may have developmental, physical or emotional special needs. Holt’s history in Vietnam is long and significant, and through the years, our local staff has developed an uncommonly strong relationship with the Vietnamese government. Our staff also has many years of experience working in international adoption, and personally visits the children on track for adoption to provide thorough child updates for families while they wait to unite with their child. Throughout your adoption, our Vietnam team will work closely with you to ensure you feel informed and prepared every step of the way. A limited number of families may apply and wait for a match through the Vietnam program every year. Please contact our adoption team at [email protected] before applying.

Did you know Holt does relative adoptions from Vietnam? Learn more

Children in Vietnam Who Need Families

Children most in need of adoption are older children (5-10+) who may or may not have special needs other than age, and children of all ages with moderate to major developmental, physical or medical special needs. Learn more about Disabilities & Medical Conditions in Special Needs Adoption.
Older sibling groups (typically age 10+) may be waiting for families.
Most children are cared for in government-run child care centers.
Parental eligibility requirements for the Vietnam program are generally more open and can be flexible depending on the needs of the specific child.

Meet the children waiting for a family

To preserve children’s confidentiality, you will be asked to log in or sign up before you access the waiting child photolisting.

Waiting Child Photolisting

Eligibility Requirements & Fees

Eligibility Requirements to Adopt from Vietnam

Parent’s Age

Applicants should be married couples or singles who are 25 years of age or older.
Parents 55 years or older will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants must be at least 20 years older than the adopted child.

Length of Marriage

Couples must be married for at least one year before applying.

Divorce

Each applicant may have up to two divorces.
Applicants with more than two divorces are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Children in Family

There can be four children already present in the home.
Families with more than four children will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Single Applicant

Vietnam is open to single applicants.

Travel

Both parents are required to travel and should expect to spend about 2-3 weeks in Vietnam.

How Long It Takes

The process time frame may vary from province to province.

Waiting Child Program

For children placed through our waiting child program, the process and eligibility requirements are the same as the standard program.

Additional Information

Minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required for both parents.
Parents with major medical or arrest histories, please contact us before applying.
Prospective families must speak with Holt’s Vietnam adoption program staff prior to submitting an application.

Note

Vietnam is a Hague Convention country.

Fees for Vietnam Adoption

We are open and transparent about our fees and want you to be aware of all potential costs involved in an adoption, including third-party costs and travel.

Holt is a Christian, private, nonprofit, licensed and accredited child welfare and family service organization. Our adoption work is entirely financed through adoption fees and donations. It is not government subsidized. We believe that children are the highest priority, and we want as many children as possible to have families. To that end, we strive to keep our fees within a reasonable range. All fees are subject to change and are charged at the rate that is current at time of billing. Holt may increase fees if adoption expenses in the foreign country increase substantially after time of application. Families will be notified in writing of any fee increase. Holt International accepts the following for adoption fees: check, cashier’s check or money order. If you would like to pay by credit card, there will be a 3% convenience fee added to your total. Fees due upon invoice.

download vietnam fees pdf

Application

Due with completed application. This is a non-refundable fee.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Application Fee	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$350

Adoption Fee 1

Due when Holt approves your application.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Agency Fee 1	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$5,065

Homestudy Assessment (Holt branch office states only)

Due before your first homestudy visit. Find out if your state has a Holt branch office.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Homestudy Fee	Holt	Homestudy	$2,500 – $2,900
Homestudy Update Fee (if needed)	Holt	Homestudy	$750
Travel for Home Visits (if Holt provides)	Holt	Mileage/Travel	Varies

Homestudy Assessment/Post Adoption Reporting Fees (non-Holt branch office states)

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Homestudy Fee	Service Provider	Homestudy	$1,500 – $5,000
Homestudy Update Fee (if needed)	Service Provider	Homestudy	$250 – $1,000
Post Adoption Reporting Fees	Service Provider	Post Placement/Adoption	$1,500 – $2,000
Travel for Home Visits	Service Provider	Mileage/Travel	Varies

Adoption Fee 2

Due when Holt approves your homestudy.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Agency Fee 2	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$6,500
Program Fee 1	Holt	Foreign Country Program Expenses	$3,000
Foreign Country Fee 1 – Pass through to Department of Adoption in Vietnam	Holt	Translation and Documentation Expenses	$528

Adoption Fee 3 & Post Adoption Reporting Fees

Due when you accept the assignment of a child. In the case of siblings, Agency Fee 3 is increased by $3,815 per child and Foreign Country Fee 2 is increased by $2,200.

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
Agency Fee 3	Holt	U.S. Expenses	$3,000
Program Fee 2	Holt	Foreign Country Program Expenses	$7,460
Foreign Country Fee 2 – Pass through to Department of Adoption in Vietnam	Holt	Translation and Documentation Expenses, Contributions, Care of the Child	$2,822
Post Adoption Reporting Fees (if Holt provides)	Holt	Post Placement/Adoption Reports	$1,500
Travel for Home Visits (if Holt provides)	Holt	Mileage/Travel	Varies

Additional Fees to Anticipate

Description	Paid To	Fee Type	Amount
USCIS	USCIS	Third Party	$860 – $1,330
Adoption Education Classes	Varies	Third Party	$150 – $500
Psychological Exam	Provider	Third Party	$250 – $2,500
Dossier Preparation	Varies	Third Party	$100 – $1,000
Pre-Adoption Medical Review of Child Material	Provider	Third Party	$250 – $1,000
Airfare, Lodging, Meals & Transportation	Provider	Mileage/Travel	$5,000 – $10,000

Summary of Estimated Fees

Description	Amount
Homestudy	$1,500 – $5,000
U.S. Expenses	$14,915
Foreign Country Program Expenses	$10,460
Care of the Child	$1,000
Translation and Documents Expenses	$850
Contributions	$1,500
Post Adoption Reporting Fees	$1,500 – $2,000
Third Party Fees	$1,610 – $6,330
Travel Costs and Accommodations	$5,000 – $10,000
TOTAL	$38,335 – $52,055

Fee Refunds

Agency Fees are non-refundable.
Program Fees are non-refundable
Pass Through – 100% refundable until tendered to Department of Adoption
Post Placement Reporting Fees are refundable if not required

Any fee refund will be processed within 60 days.

Financial Assistance for Adoption

Holt believes finances should not stop a child from having a loving family. Although many resources exist to help adoptive families offset the cost of adoption, it’s not always clear where to start looking or what opportunities are best suited for your family. To help you consider all your options, Holt provides an outline of financial assistance, as well as a list of resources categorized by type.

Financing Your Adoption

couple sitting at home viewing virtual adoption financing webinar on their laptop

Need help funding your adoption?

Families adopting through Holt receive free, professional guidance and support from a one-on-one finance coach throughout their adoption process. Even if you’re just considering adoption, email us to set up your first consultation today!

email [email protected]

Stories About Adoption from Vietnam

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Vietnam Adoption FAQs

Why do children from Vietnam need families through adoption?

As everywhere, children in Vietnam are placed for adoption for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons in Vietnam, however, are the stigma of single parenthood, poverty and family illness or other family crises. Without the resources to care for them, many families also relinquish children born with special medical or developmental needs. Children are either relinquished by their birth parents or left at child caring facilities or in other public places.

Who cares for my child during the adoption process?

What does “special needs” mean?

How long does it take to adopt from Vietnam?

What are the travel requirements?

Can I adopt a relative from Vietnam?

Vietnam children in orphanage waiting to be adopted

Help Protect International Adoption for Children

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Start Your Journey in Adoption

Whether you are considering adoption or are ready to apply to adopt, we have many free ways for you to explore our programs or get started.

Request Free Adoption Information

Click below to complete our inquiry form or email us at [email protected] to connect with one of our adoption specialists.

Adoption Info Meetings

Check out our free, virtual adoption information meetings open to families in all 50 states!

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Apply Online

Ready to start your adoption journey? The first step is to create a Holt portal account, then submit an application. Click below to log in or create a new portal account. If you’re already in touch with Holt or have worked with Holt previously and do not have a portal login, email [email protected] to access your account!

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