Opening Doors: Gladney’s International Team Visits Vietnam and India

As part of our ongoing commitment to finding loving, permanent families for children around the world, members of Gladney’s international team recently traveled to Vietnam and India to take significant steps toward launching new international adoption programs.

The team—Gongzhan Wu, Tina Ji (Director of Asia Programs), Đậu Khắc Lễ (Head of Gladney Vietnam Office), Mark Melson (Gladney CEO), Diana DeGroot (VP of International Adoption), and other members of Gladney’s international adoption team—engaged in meaningful conversations with adoption authorities and immersed themselves in the rich cultural landscapes of each country.

Vietnam

A key highlight of the Vietnam portion of the trip was the March 31 meeting with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Vietnam’s Central Adoption Authority. The team met with the Director, Deputy Director, and several officials from the newly established Department of Public Record Administration—the office now overseeing inter-country adoptions. This foundational meeting helped lay the groundwork for a collaborative, transparent, and child-focused partnership moving forward. Tina Ji says, “We are honored and grateful for the privilege to work in Vietnam and are excited to officially launch our Vietnam program.”

Outside of official meetings, the team visited places that many hopeful adoptive parents may one day explore with their children during in-country stays—moments that can create lasting memories and deepen a family’s connection to their child’s heritage. From Hanoi’s famous Train Street, where homes and cafes sit just a meter from the passing railway, to the enchanting Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, a traditional art form born in Vietnam’s rice paddies, each experience was a reminder of the country’s vibrant culture. The visit to Ngo Son Temple, also known as the Temple of the Jade Mountain, on the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake, offered a space for reflection—an opportunity to honor Vietnam’s history while looking toward the future.

After their time in Hanoi, the team continued their trip to India, bringing with them valuable insight and renewed enthusiasm for expanding Gladney’s international adoption work.

India

Although our time in Delhi, India, was short, it was incredibly productive and full of promise. Over two days, the team met with several highly qualified in-country coordinator candidates, held insightful conversations with U.S. Embassy officials responsible for adoption visas, and enjoyed a warm and encouraging meeting with the CEO and Deputy Director of Inter-Country Adoption at the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), India’s central adoption authority. These meetings laid the foundation for a collaborative and ethical program centered on transparency, care, and the best interests of the child.

Gladney was officially authorized by CARA to facilitate intercountry adoptions from India in November 2024. Children in India who are eligible for adoption range in age and often have mild to significant special needs or are part of sibling groups. Most are placed in care due to the loss of birth parents, relinquishment, or abandonment, and have been declared legally free for adoption by Indian authorities.

Families of Indian heritage (NRI/OCI) may request to be matched with a child with no known medical needs, though should be prepared for possible delays and minor issues. Non-heritage families must be open to older children, sibling groups, or children with identified needs.

Outside of formal meetings, the team took in the vibrant atmosphere of Delhi—its colors, energy, and deep history—further reinforcing the significance of cultural connection in international adoption. From the initial conversations to the promise of future matches, every step underscored our shared goal: to help children in India find the safety, stability, and love of a permanent family.

Gladney’s visits to Vietnam and India mark the beginning of two meaningful partnerships rooted in transparency, collaboration, and a shared vision for children in need of forever families. We’re honored to walk alongside these countries and the families who feel called to adopt.

If you’re interested in learning more about adopting from Vietnam or India, or if you're ready to begin your adoption journey, we invite you to submit a Prospective Adoptive Parent form or explore our international programs.