Vietnam farmers confront Trump-era development as compensation offers draw ire
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
Farmers in Vietnam block construction of Trump’s luxury golf resort amid land compensation dispute, Bloomberg reports.
Trump’s luxury golf resort project in Vietnam faces major delays as local farmers protest over land compensation.
The luxury golf resort being developed under the Trump Organization brand in Hung Yen province, Vietnam, has run into serious difficulties as local farmers challenge the compensation rates offered by authorities and demand higher payments.
According to official data, compensation was set at around 320,000 dong per square meter (approximately $12 USD), roughly equivalent to an annual income from farmland for many villagers. Locals say the amount is insufficient, particularly for plots with long-standing fruit trees, and have filed petitions seeking to double the compensation.
The ambitious project, including five-star hotels, golf courses, and residential complexes, was expected to cover around 900 hectares along the Red River, with the first phase due for completion by late 2027 and the entire complex by 2029.
However, disputes with farmers and recent administrative reshuffles in the province have significantly slowed the land transfer process to developer Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corp.
Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, previously said the resort would "impress everyone," yet the area designated for the project remains covered with banana and orange groves, and construction has barely begun.
Land conflicts in Vietnam
Land disputes are a recurring issue in Vietnam and often lead to social tension. Farmers frequently contest official compensation rates, claiming they are set below market value. Some of these conflicts have escalated into protests, including a 2020 incident that left four people dead.
Officials in Hung Yen province have stressed the need to finalize compensation plans by the end of the month and prepare 95% of the land for transfer by year’s end, though progress depends on public consultations and farmers’ consent.
Until the dispute is resolved, the project’s timeline remains uncertain, and the Trump Organization’s costs could rise substantially due to local demands.
