Endemic corruption to end adoption agreement

Vietnam is to end a baby adoption agreement with the United States after being accused of allowing corruption and baby-selling, officials said yesterday.

The agreement was being considered for renewal but the two sides remained far apart over revisions, said Vu Duc Long, director of Vietnam's International Adoption Agency. The agreement is due to expire on Sep 1.

The decision was made after the US Embassy in Hanoi released a report earlier this month alleging pervasive corruption and baby-selling in Vietnam's adoption system.