Gladney Blog

Gladney Launches India & Vietnam Adoption Programs

Written by Gladney Center for Adoption | 4/9/25 9:50 PM

 

Now Open: India and Vietnam Adoption Programs

Gladney is proud to announce the official opening of our India and Vietnam International Adoption Programs. These new programs reflect the expansion of Gladney’s global work in international adoption—rooted in ethics, collaboration, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing family environment.

Families across the U.S. can now take the first steps toward international adoption through these newly opened, fully accredited programs.

Groundwork and Partnerships: A Visit to Vietnam and India

To prepare for this program launch, members of Gladney’s international team traveled to Vietnam and India to build on long-standing partnerships and ensure systems are in place to support prospective adoptive families and children.

The team—including Gongzhan Wu, Tina Ji (Director of Asia Programs), Đậu Khắc Lễ (Head of Gladney’s Vietnam Office), Mark Melson (Gladney CEO), Diana DeGroot (VP of International Adoption), and others—met with in-country officials, visited care centers, and spent time understanding the cultural, legal, and child welfare landscapes of each country.

In Vietnam, a highlight of the visit was a March 31 meeting with the Ministry of Justice, including the newly formed Department of Public Record Administration, now overseeing intercountry adoption. These conversations helped reinforce the shared commitment to a program rooted in transparency and centered on the best interest of the child.

“We are honored and grateful for the privilege to work in Vietnam and are excited to officially launch our Vietnam program.”
— Tina Ji, Director of Asia Programs

The team also visited cultural landmarks and community spaces—many of which future families may explore as part of their adoption travel. In both countries, these moments were a reminder of the importance of cultural respect and building lifelong connections to identity and heritage.

India Program Now Open

Gladney’s India Adoption Program is open and accepting applications from families ready to adopt children with identified medical or developmental needs, older children, and sibling groups.

Program Highlights:

  • Children: Primarily ages 2–8; children are placed in care due to a range of circumstances and are legally cleared for intercountry adoption

  • Eligibility: Married couples (2+ years) and single women; at least one applicant must be a U.S. citizen

  • Process: Governed by India’s Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and compliant with Hague Convention standards

  • Travel: At least one in-country trip is required

Families with Indian heritage (NRI/OCI) may request to adopt a child with no known medical needs, though mild or correctable conditions are still common. Families without heritage must be open to adopting a child with special needs, a child age 8 or older, or a sibling group of three or more.

Learn more about adopting from India

Vietnam Program Now Open

Gladney’s Vietnam Adoption Program is designed to match families with children:

  • Over age 5 (with or without identified medical needs)

  • Children of all ages with moderate to significant developmental or physical needs

  • Sibling groups

These children are typically in the care of government-run childcare centers and have experienced various family hardships. Vietnam prioritizes domestic adoption first and ensures children are legally cleared before international placement is considered.

Program Highlights:

  • Eligibility: Married couples (1+ year, with no more than two divorces per parent) and single applicants

  • Age Range: Applicants 25–55; older considered case-by-case

  • Process: Overseen by Vietnam’s Department of Adoption and compliant with Hague Convention practices

  • Travel: One required trip, typically 10–14 days

Vietnam also maintains a Waiting Child List, and families may express interest in children listed, especially those with higher medical needs, older children, and sibling sets.

Learn more about adopting from Vietnam

Our Approach: Prepared Families, Transparent Process

Gladney’s international programs are grounded in partnership, preparation, and ethics. We work closely with central authorities, orphanages, and legal professionals in each country to ensure a process that is thorough, compassionate, and supportive of each child’s right to permanency.

We provide:

  • Pre-adoption education focused on medical needs, cultural identity, and trauma-informed parenting

  • Comprehensive home study and dossier support

  • Matching assistance in partnership with each country’s adoption authority

  • Full support through the travel, finalization, and post-adoption stages

Our goal is to support families who are prepared and committed, and to provide children with the stability and opportunity that comes from joining a permanent, loving home—not as a rescue, but as a relationship built on mutual respect and lifelong commitment.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re exploring international adoption and feel a connection to the programs in India or Vietnam, Gladney is here to walk with you through each stage of the process. Whether you're early in your research or ready to begin, our specialists can help you navigate next steps.

These programs are now open. The process is ready. And your next step could start today.

Explore the India Program 
Explore the Vietnam Program