Trump Organization  -  the multinational conglomerate owned by U.S. President Donald Trump and his family  -  is reportedly planning multiple multi-billion-dollar investments in Vietnam, centered around its core strengths: golf courses, hotels, and high-end real estate.

The company’s $1.5 billion project in Hung Yen is just one of several initiatives being considered. According to international media, Trump Organization is preparing to launch a series of real estate and hospitality developments in Vietnam, with construction on the Hung Yen complex scheduled to begin this May. A second project may be announced later this year, with a total of three to four developments under review. These properties will be operated by Eric Trump, President Trump's son.

Charles James Boyd Bowman, general director of Trump Organization’s projects in Vietnam, previously revealed that the Hung Yen project  -  an upscale urban, eco-tourism, sports, and golf complex worth $1.5 billion  -  is expected to be completed by March 2027, in time to serve APEC 2027.

During a meeting with Mr. Bowman on March 18, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh encouraged Trump Organization to consider Vietnam a strategic business hub, to expand investments into other provinces and across sectors in which the group excels  -  particularly those that align with Vietnam’s development priorities. He also called for deeper collaboration with Vietnamese companies and support for their integration into Trump Organization’s global ecosystem and supply chain.

The news comes as Vietnam–U.S. economic relations continue to grow. The two countries officially established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023, and U.S. investment in Vietnam  -  while still modest  -  is expected to expand significantly in the years ahead.

For many years, the U.S. has remained one of Vietnam’s largest trading partners. As of 2024, Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. account for around 30% of its GDP, with a substantial trade surplus.

Amid evolving global trade dynamics, President Trump  -  upon returning to the White House  -  has again imposed higher tariffs on a wide range of goods and set April 2 as a deadline for implementing reciprocal trade measures with key partners.

In response, Vietnam has actively worked to deepen its economic ties with the U.S., pledging to increase imports of American goods, reduce tariffs, and cut non-tariff barriers. Vietnamese companies, including VietJet, have signed major deals with U.S. partners.

Notably, on March 23, the Vietnamese government granted SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, approval to pilot satellite-based telecom services using low-Earth orbit technology. The five-year trial permits unlimited foreign ownership of shares or contributed capital. Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, may serve up to 600,000 subscribers during the trial period.

On February 14, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien met with U.S. Ambassador Marc E. Knapper. Ambassador Knapper clarified that the new tariffs were not directed at Vietnam, adding that the U.S. remains committed to fostering a strong, positive bilateral trade and investment relationship.

He further emphasized the willingness of both U.S. government and private sectors to increase cooperation with Vietnam in key emerging areas such as energy security, climate resilience, food security, and high-tech innovation.

Trump Organization: Legacy of luxury and global ambition

Trump Organization is a diversified private conglomerate wholly owned by the Trump family. It is globally recognized for its high-end investments in real estate, luxury hotels, and golf resorts. Founded in 1927, the company originally focused on construction and real estate development in New York City. When Donald Trump took over in 1971, he expanded the business into hospitality, golf, entertainment, asset management, brokerage, and marketing.

During his presidency from 2017 to 2020, Donald Trump formally stepped away from the business to avoid leveraging his political role for financial gain. Control of the company was transferred to a trust, and operations were handed over to his children. Ivanka Trump oversaw hotel operations, Donald Trump Jr. managed the golf division, and Eric Trump took charge of the winery and new developments.

Manh Ha