Jolie Leaves Vietnam Orphanage With Boy

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — Actress Angelina Jolie picked up a 3-year-old boy from a Vietnamese orphanage Thursday and headed to a ceremony where she was expected to adopt the child, officials said. The star, who arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday night, carried the boy from the Tam Binh orphanage to a waiting Toyota van. They were expected at the Department of Justice in Ho Chi Minh City where an official ceremony will be carried out to complete the adoption.

Vietnamese adoption officials confirmed to The Associated Press that she planned to adopt the boy. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to talk to the media.

Jolie arrived at the orphanage carrying her 5-year-old son Maddox, whom she adopted in neighboring Cambodia in 2002.

About 20 children dressed in traditional Vietnamese tunics, called ao dai, and offering flowers welcomed the pair as they arrived at the orphanage.

Jolie, dressed in a black skirt and shirt, was preceded at the orphanage by a phalanx of private security guards.

After the official ceremony, Jolie is expected to meet with U.S. consular officials, who must review the adoption before a passport can be issued for the boy.

If all goes as planned, Jolie could take the child home by the weekend, officials said.

Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt, Jolie's partner, did not accompany her to Vietnam.