Vietnam Brides International Matchmaker Now Middleman for Adoptions

A new Vietnamese law that passed in June 2010 and went into effect in January 2011 says that “foreign couples can adopt from Vietnam only if their home country has entered into an agreement on child adoption with Vietnam, according to Vietnam’s Justice Ministry’s website.” This law was enacted due to the “lucrative illegal trade of Vietnamese children.”

That didn’t stop Mark Lin of Vietnam Brides International Matchmaker from trying to help his client adopt a child destined for Singapore. But there is no agreement between Vietnam and Singapore, so the child cannot immigrate. She will be cared for by relatives of the client in Vietnam.

Adoption as Business Opportunity

“Mr Lin, 49, said that he hit upon the idea of offering Vietnamese babies for adoption after Mr Yap asked him for help to adopt a baby there.

He said in Mandarin: “I realised that this could be a business opportunity because I am familiar with dealing with the people and authorities in Vietnam and the culture.”

“He charges about $16,000 per baby and has two other customers who are waiting to get their Home Study Report approved.

He’ll ask his business associates in Vietnam to help look for a baby, either from those who are giving up their baby or from orphanages.

Nine years ago, Mr Lin was one of the first to matchmake local men with Vietnamese women here. But he has moved away from this line, blaming the intense cut-throat competition and declining matchmaking business here.”

Baby girl may be stuck in Vietnam
[The New Paper 4/9/11 by Desmond Ng]

REFORM Puzzle Piece