Domestic and foreign experts shared experience in forming adoption models at a conference in Hanoi on February 27.

The event was co-organised by the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the Care for Children organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Addressing the seminar, MoLISA Deputy Minister Doan Mau Diep said Vietnam has more than 400,000 children who are receiving social allowances and living in community-based centres, and about 170,000 adopted by families.

Over the past years, the country has issued many policies and laws on disadvantaged children such as the Law on Protection, Care and Education of Children and the Law on Adoption, among others, he said.

Children will have a chance to fully develop both materially and spiritually living in families, Diep said, adding that orphanages are a last resort.

The official also pointed out bottlenecks in the adoption process caused by the lack of regulations.

During the two-day event, the experts also shared adoption models in foreign countries like China and Canada and discussed the UN’s guidelines on child care and adoption.

They contributed opinions to complete Vietnam’s legal framework on adoption, especially relevant regulations stated in the revised Law on Protection, Care and Education of Children.-VNA