Owner of American International School Vietnam arrested for disrupting public order

The owner of the American International School Vietnam (AISVN) has been arrested for disrupting public order and inciting vandalism in front of the school’s gate.

Ho Chi Minh City police said Nguyen Thi Ut Em, 62, the school owner, and two other people, Do Linh Phuong and Nguyen Thanh Trieu, are under investigation on charges of « disturbance of public order. »

Investigators alleged that in late March, amid a dispute over the school’s management, Em and a group of individuals gathered at the AISVN campus gate and caused a public disturbance, affecting security and social order.

Ho Chi Minh City Inspectorate has also asked the police to probe into suspected illegal capital mobilization by the AISVN American International Education Joint Stock Company through loan and education investment contracts signed with students’ parents.

Founded in 2006, AISVN offers curricula under the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

Annual tuition ranges from VND280–350 million (US$11,000–13,750) for kindergarten, VND450–500 million for primary school, and VND600–725 million for middle and high school. The school employs around 130 foreign teachers, 26 Vietnamese teachers, and over 100 staff members.

AISVN drew public attention in late 2023 when a group of parents demanded repayment of debts. They claimed the school had borrowed tens of billions of dong without interest or collateral, under the guise of loan and investment contracts.

In return, their children were offered free tuition, with the school promising to repay the money after the students graduated or transferred to other schools. However, the parents said they never received the promised repayments.

By Quoc Thang – VnExpress.net – May 1st , 2025