A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Irelands and Vietnam expired on May 1, 2009. As a result, intercountry adoption is suspended until a new MOA is signed and implemented.

All adoptions from Vietnam are carried out under Vietnamese law. From an Irish perspective, the Adoption Board is responsible for assessing applicants as eligible and suitable to adopt, before they apply for adoption from Vietnam through an Adoption Mediation Agency. Single applicants may apply to adopt from Vietnam

In May 2006, the final stage of the Bilateral Agreement was implemented with the launch of the first Irish Adoption Mediation Agency , Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency, based in Cork, Ireland. .

No Upper Age Limit: In a statement issued in May 2007 by Helping Hands, the Irish government approved mediation agency, it indicated "There is no upper age limit for applicants who wish to adopt from Vietnam. However in general the Vietnamese Authorities wish to operate within a prac­tice guideline where there is a maximum age gap of 45 years between the child and younger ap­plicant".

After an applicant applies to HHAMA, the applicants' dossiers are forwarded to Vietnam, where it is authenticated and translated. The referral will be communicated back to HHAMA, and checked with the Adoption Board before being offered to the applicant(s).

VINAF: VINAF (the Vietnamese Irish Network of Adoptive Families) was formed in 2003. For fur­ther information see the VINAF website at:
www.vinaf.ie.  

Viet Irish Support http://www.vietirishsupport.net/ email: vietirishsupport@eircom.net

Helping Hands: Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency Forge Hill, Forge Lodge, Cork. Phone: 021 496 6805 /fax: 021 496 6815 email: info@helpinghands.ie www.helpinghands.ie