Thousands of Vietnamese farmers are being asked to leave their land to make way for a luxury golf resort backed by the Trump family. Many have been offered modest compensation packages that include small cash payments and rice provisions.
Nguyen Thi Huong, a 50-year-old farmer from Hung Yen province, said she was told to vacate her 200-square-metre plot. In return, authorities offered her just $3,200 and several months’ worth of rice. Like many others, she fears losing her only source of income.
The resort project is linked to the Trump Organization and marks the first partnership between the Trump family business and a Vietnamese developer. The site, spanning 990 hectares, currently hosts fruit farms growing bananas and other crops.
According to documents and multiple sources, initial compensation estimates exceeded $500 million. However, developers are now reducing those forecasts. Farmers say the proposed rates range between $12 and $30 per square metre, which they argue is far below market value.
In Vietnam, farmland is state-owned. Farmers are assigned plots for long-term use, but have limited say when authorities reclaim land. Compensation is paid by the state, but the developer covers the cost. Protests against such land acquisitions are common but rarely succeed.
Some villagers, especially older farmers, are concerned they will not find new work. Others, like 65-year-old Le Van Tu, see opportunity. Tu plans to upgrade his eatery to serve wealthier visitors. Land prices in the area have reportedly increased fivefold since the project was announced.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh promised fair compensation during the groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Eric Trump. However, many farmers remain uncertain about their future.
While the Trump Organization will run the resort, it is not responsible for compensating displaced villagers. The project reflects a broader trend of rural displacement in Vietnam’s growing economy.
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