Officials in Vietnam's home province of the country's top leader recently solicited residents' signatures to support the Trump Organization's plans for a $1.5 billion golf community near Hanoi. Many, including resident Le Van Truong, expressed reluctance, fearing the project would uproot ancestral cemeteries and farmland. Despite reservations, Truong signed, stating he felt powerless against the project.
This development, alongside plans for a Trump skyscraper in Ho Chi Minh City, marks the Trump family's first ventures in Vietnam. Legal experts noted that Vietnam is bypassing its own laws to expedite the project, with officials acknowledging the need for special government support due to its connection to President Donald Trump.
Amidst trade negotiations with the U.S., the Vietnamese government is under pressure to finalize a trade deal, as President Trump has threatened tariffs on Vietnamese exports. Eric Trump attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the golf project, emphasizing the family's commitment to the region.
The White House stated that the president's trade discussions are unrelated to the Trump Organization's ventures, asserting there are no ethical issues as the president's sons manage the business. However, President Trump's financial disclosures indicate he continues to benefit from these projects.
As development progresses, Vietnamese officials have allowed the golf project to bypass several legally required procedures, raising concerns among residents about the loss of land and livelihoods. The golf community will occupy nearly four square miles in Hung Yen province, displacing local families who have long-term rights to the land.
At town-hall meetings, residents expressed outrage over compensation offers, which were significantly lower than market value. Many fear losing their investments and the security their land provides. Legal experts criticized the rapid approval process as unprecedented and unfair to other investors.
The project has faced scrutiny due to its location in a flood-prone area with unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War. Despite these concerns, the Vietnamese government expedited the planning process to align with Eric Trump's schedule.
During the groundbreaking, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh promised support for displaced residents, while also emphasizing the project's potential to strengthen U.S.-Vietnam relations. Critics argue that prioritizing Trump-related projects undermines Vietnam's efforts to create a fair business environment.
The Trump family's involvement in Vietnam began with two former Marine Corps officers who sought to foster connections between the U.S. and Vietnam. They facilitated Eric Trump's entry into the Vietnamese real estate market, viewing the golf project as a means to improve perceptions of Vietnam.
Vietnamese officials hope the development will serve as a goodwill gesture amid trade tensions with the U.S., but analysts caution that prioritizing political connections over merit can erode public trust and lead to long-term issues. Residents near the project are increasingly concerned about the rapid pace of development and its implications for their future.
As the situation unfolds, local residents remain apprehensive about losing their land and livelihoods, questioning the motivations behind the swift progress on the Trump golf community.