Nguyen Thi Huong, a farmer in northern Vietnam, has struggled to sleep since officials informed her that she must vacate her land to make way for a Trump family–backed golf resort. In exchange, authorities offered her just $3,200 and several months’ worth of rice provisions. The project, scheduled to break ground next month, has become a source of anxiety for thousands of villagers who rely on the farmland that has supported their families for decades.
Farmers in Vietnam
According to people with direct knowledge of the project, residents are being presented with modest compensation packages to leave. The resort marks the Trump family’s first business venture in Vietnam. The government fast-tracked approvals while it negotiated a crucial trade agreement with Washington. Yet, sources say developers have recently reduced compensation forecasts, which were once estimated to be more than $500 million. The site spans 990 hectares of farmland currently producing bananas, longan and other fruit.
Trump golf course
While some villagers see potential opportunity in the development, many — particularly elderly farmers — fear they will be unable to rebuild livelihoods in Vietnam’s youthful and competitive economy. “The whole village is worried about this project because it will take our land and leave us jobless,” said Huong, 50, who was told to surrender her 200-square-meter plot in Hung Yen province, near Hanoi, for less than the average Vietnamese annual salary. Vietnamese real estate firm Kinhbac City and its partners are leading the development after paying the Trump Organization $5 million for brand licensing rights, filings show. The Trump family business will operate the golf club upon completion, but it is not directly financing construction or compensation.
Trump’s offer
President Donald Trump has previously stated that his assets are held in a trust managed by his children. However, disclosures in June revealed that income from the ventures ultimately accrues to him. Officials say final rates will be determined based on land size and location, with formal approval expected next month. Farmers told outlets they were offered between $12 and $30 per square meter, along with small payments for uprooted crops and rice provisions. A source familiar with the plan confirmed the range, although local officials noted that farmland in Hung Yen rarely exceeds $14 per square meter — far lower than in other provinces.
Vietnam farmland
In Vietnam, the state technically owns farmland, allocating small plots to families for long-term use. However, when authorities reclaim the land, residents have little say in the matter. Protests are common but rarely succeed. Compensation is formally distributed by the state but financed by developers. Many villagers remain dissatisfied. Four of the farmers interviewed said their small holdings would yield payouts too low to rebuild their lives. One document indicated that thousands will be affected, with final decisions due in the coming weeks. Huong explained that she leases larger fields from neighbors but can only claim compensation for her officially allocated plot and the crops she cultivates. “What can someone like me do after that?” she asked. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pledged in May that farmers would be “reimbursed fairly” at the groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization — yet concerns amongst local farmers persist.
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Author: Joshua Wilburn
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