Fistful of dollars for Viet farmers displaced for Trump golf club

Project fast-tracked by Hanoi as it negotiated trade deal with Washington

- 

HUNG YEN, Vietnam — Vietnamese farmer Nguyen Thi Huong has slept poorly since authorities told her to vacate her farm for a Trump family-backed golf resort, offering just US$3,200 (S$4,100) and rice provisions in return.

The golf resort, for which construction is scheduled to begin in September, is offering thousands of villagers such compensation packages to leave the land that has provided their livelihood for years or decades, according to six people with direct knowledge and documents seen by Reuters.

The project is the first partnership for the family business of US President Donald Trump in Vietnam, which fast-tracked approvals as it negotiated a crucial trade deal with Washington.

Developers are now cutting compensation forecasts from an initial estimate exceeding US$500 million, said one person familiar with the plans who declined to elaborate on reasons for the reduction.

The 990ha site designated for the golf course currently supports fruit farms growing bananas, longan and other crops.

While some see opportunity, many farmers are elderly and fear they will struggle to find alternative livelihoods in Vietnam's vibrant economy with its largely young demographic.

"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-sq m plot in Hung Yen province near capital Hanoi for less than the average pay for one year in Vietnam.