Vietnam relocates ancestral graves for Trump-linked golf course amid local backlash
The project, located in Hung Yen province, has led to the dismantling of a long-standing rural cemetery
Farmers are reportedly exhuming ancestral graves in northern Vietnam to clear land for a $1.5 billion golf course and luxury development linked to the Trump Organization and its local partners.
The project, located in Hung Yen province, has led to the dismantling of a long-standing rural cemetery.
The site now shows disturbed graves, broken nameplates, and markings indicating relocated remains, as villagers struggle with the emotional and spiritual impact.
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"It's a spiritual thing, people don't want to disturb the graves," said farmer Tran Minh Hai.
The development, spanning about 990 hectares, is expected to include five-star hotels, ultra-luxury villas, and a golf course.
It is widely seen as politically significant, coming at a time when Hanoi is working to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with Washington.
The project was fast-tracked by Vietnamese authorities amid broader trade tensions with the United States.
At one point, the US under Donald Trump had threatened tariffs of up to 46% on Vietnamese goods before later reducing them, with analysts noting that Vietnam's export-heavy economy made it sensitive to such pressure.
Farmers voice anger over ancestral grave relocations
Farmers express anger and sorrow over the removal of ancestral graves for the project.
Many say the land takeover threatens both their heritage and livelihoods.
Nguyen Duc Theo, resident and farmer, said, "When they [first] told us about the golf project, the people were excited and supported the project for the development of the country."
"It's painful," said Hoang Do, another resident affected by grave relocation.
"I'm outraged by the compensation price [for land takeover]," he added.
"The grave of my great-grandparents has been there since 1967, before the establishment of this country… so why should I move them?" said Hoang Anh Xa, a local of the area.
A visiting fellow at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, Nguyen Khac Giang, said, "There is a growing sense that Vietnam needs to do more in order to please the Trump administration in terms of trade, tariff and intellectual property concerns."
Despite government approval of compensation and resettlement plans, the project has faced resistance from more than 4,000 affected households, with some residents refusing relocation or demanding higher payments.
Officials argue the development could boost jobs and tourism, while critics say it threatens fertile farmland and long-standing rural livelihoods.
