The Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption entered into force for Vietnam on 1 February 2012. The ratification of the Hague Convention by Vietnam, the associated changes in Vietnamese law and the arrangements being put in place to support on the ground implementation represent significant changes in the inter-country adoption regime in that country.
Under section 72 of the Adoption Act 2010, the Adoption Authority may enter into administrative arrangements with another contracting State. In this context, the Authority has prepared and submitted to the Vietnamese authorities a suggested scheme of administrative arrangements to be established between Ireland and Vietnam for the resumption of inter-country adoption between the two States. The Authority is awaiting the response of the Vietnamese authorities to this proposal.
In January I had a very positive visit to Vietnam focussing on inter-country adoption. It provided the opportunity for direct, personal engagement with the Vietnamese authorities, and the fostering of cooperation between our two countries on inter-country adoption. My visit coincided with a visit of a delegation from the Adoption Authority of Ireland to Vietnam to discuss administrative matters in relation to inter-country adoptions on foot of Vietnam's recent ratification of the Hague Convention. I have recently written to the Vietnamese authorities formally inviting them to visit Ireland in the coming months at both Ministerial and official level.
The Adoption Authority registered one accredited body for the purposes of adoption mediation within Vietnam. Further applications from other bodies remain under consideration by the Authority and a decision is anticipated shortly in this regard. Agencies accredited by the Adoption Authority of Ireland also require the approval of the Vietnamese authorities.