Four government officials from Vietnam visit Holt families and staff in Eugene as part of a final selection process to begin adoptions from Vietnam to the U.S. The two selected agencies will participate in a pilot adoption program for children with special needs.

Sixteen years ago, Hai and Valerie Nguyen traveled to Vietnam to bring home their twin 2-year-old daughters, Mai and Ly. This month, Mai and Ly will turn 18. Both girls love math and science, can solve a Rubik’s Cube in 46 seconds — blindfolded — and have big ambitions to be the first twins in space! They also speak fluent Vietnamese, an amazing feat considering they grew up in Eugene, Oregon and have only traveled to Vietnam twice.

Last Sunday, Mai and Ly had a unique opportunity to practice their Vietnamese when the Nguyen family welcomed a special delegation of officials from Vietnam to their home. Composed of four government officials, including Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, director of the Central Adoption Authority in Vietnam, the delegation traveled to Holt’s headquarters in Eugene as part of a final selection process for accreditation to facilitate adoption from Vietnam. While in the U.S., the officials will observe the operations and organizational structure of three agencies, and select two to participate in a pilot program for special needs adoption — placing the first children to the U.S since Vietnam and the U.S. declared a moratorium on international adoption to the U.S in 2008. Holt was excited and honored to host the delegation, and to be considered for this special adoption program.