Nguyen Thi Huong, a Vietnamese farmer, endured sleepless nights since receiving orders to vacate her land for a luxury golf resort backed by the Trump family, according to Reuters.
Her compensation package, valued at approximately $3,200 plus rice provisions, stands in stark contrast to the $1.5 billion project poised to replace her livelihood. This development marks the inaugural partnership in Vietnam for the family business of US President Donald Trump, with approvals fast-tracked amid crucial trade negotiations between Hanoi and Washington.
Thousands of villagers face similar displacement packages for land supporting fruit farms cultivating bananas, longan, and other crops, according to six individuals with direct knowledge and supporting documents.
“The whole village is worried about this project because it will take our land and leave us jobless,” said 50-year-old Huong, who was told to leave her 200-square-meter plot in Hung Yen province near capital Hanoi for less than the average pay for one year in Vietnam.
Developers reportedly reduced their initial compensation forecast, which exceeded $500 million, shared one person familiar with the plans who declined to elaborate on the reasons. Construction is slated to commence next month.
Vietnamese real estate firm Kinhbac City and its partners secured the rights to develop the 990-hectare luxury golf club after paying the Trump Organization $5 million for brand licensing rights, regulatory filings and a source confirm.
While the Trump family business will operate the completed club, it is not involved in the investment or farmer compensation. Trump has stated his business assets reside in a trust managed by his children, though June disclosures revealed income ultimately accrues to the president.
The Vietnamese state manages farmland, assigning small plots to farmers for long-term use but offering minimal recourse during reclamations. Protests occur frequently but yield little success.
Authorities, determining final compensation based on land size and location, are expected to formalise rates next month. Five affected farmers indicated authorities signalled reimbursements between $12 and $30 per square metre of farmland, alongside additional payments for uprooted plants and several months’ rice provisions.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assured fair reimbursement for farmers during the project’s May groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Eric Trump, a senior Trump Organization executive.
