Nguyen Thi Ut Em, Chairwoman of the American International School Vietnam (AISVN), has been prosecuted and temporarily detained for disrupting public order. The incident took place at the very school she chaired, which is currently suspended from operating.

Modern façade, financial chaos behind closed doors

AISVN was established under Decision No. 432 on January 30, 2019, by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and authorized to operate in education under Decision No. 1473 dated June 13, 2019, issued by the Department of Education and Training.

The school piloted the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme and Middle Years and Diploma Programs. Located in Nha Be District, this modern campus charged tuition ranging from 450 to 725 million VND (approximately USD 17,500 - 28,200) per year for grades 1 through 12 under the leadership of Nguyen Thi Ut Em.

Although public outcry only erupted in recent years, financial troubles had brewed beneath the surface long before. Parents began demanding their money back years prior to staging public protests with banners. Many had lent large sums to Ut Em under the guise of educational investment.

Loans ranged from USD 120,000 to USD 600,000, in exchange for waived tuition fees for their children while they remained enrolled. The school promised to repay the loans upon graduation or official transfer of the students.

According to parent testimonies, AISVN owed them roughly USD 120 million, while actual figures reached USD 144 million across three types of contracts.

In one model, parents paid about USD 160,000 upfront for their children to attend from grade 1 to 12, with the promise of a refund upon graduation or transfer. Another model required a lump sum of USD 80,000 for full-course tuition without reimbursement. Lastly, some parents chose to pay tuition per academic term.

Under mounting pressure, Ut Em pledged to repay the debts gradually, citing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While other businesses were cutting back on employee compensation, AISVN maintained salaries and benefits, including housing, food, and airfare, for both domestic and international staff.

Ut Em promised a five-step financial restructuring plan to ensure education quality and long-term stability, but none of these promises materialized.

The situation worsened as teachers began resigning en masse, leading to class disruptions and students sitting idle at school. Parents filed complaints with authorities, including the Department of Education and Training and Ho Chi Minh City police, accusing Ut Em of being uncooperative, indifferent, and neglectful amid escalating turmoil affecting students, teachers, and families.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training demanded AISVN uphold students’ educational rights. While it deemed the loan agreements a private matter between the school and parents, the department initiated a full audit in cooperation with relevant agencies.

Coordinated intervention to safeguard students' education

In response to the scandal, the education department instructed Ut Em to comply with all regulatory requirements and quickly resolve staff shortages to ensure curriculum continuity. The school was also told to facilitate student transfers for parents wishing to withdraw their children.

Realizing the school could not sustain operations, many parents transferred their children to other institutions. The Department of Education urged public and international schools to accommodate students relocating from AISVN.

Prime Ministerial orders followed, requiring the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and Ministry of Education and Training to ensure students’ educational continuity without interruption.

To keep AISVN operational until the end of the 2023-2024 academic year, a tripartite meeting was held involving Ut Em, the Department of Education and Training, and parent representatives. Parents were encouraged to pay monthly fees of USD 400 to USD 800 depending on the student's grade level. A total of USD 5 million was needed to keep the school running until May 2024.

A joint bank account under the names of the education department, the school, and the parents was created to collect funds and pay staff salaries. However, parents contributed just over USD 1.2 million - insufficient for the school’s needs. This shortfall forced AISVN to end the academic year one month early. Over 70 seniors were still allowed to complete the IB exam cycle. The department also instructed other students to transfer out quickly.

Operations suspended, but the chairwoman causes disruption

After the school year ended, AISVN was officially suspended for 12 months beginning July 1, 2024, due to financial instability and failure to meet staff requirements. Ut Em was also issued a travel ban.

Despite the suspension, Ut Em continued acting as if the school was preparing for the new year. She announced a new investor and principal, conducted surveys on enrollment demand, and prepared for reopening - actions the Department of Education flagged and ordered to cease.

AISVN chairwoman detained for public disorder

Nguyen Thi Ut Em and two others have been officially charged and taken into custody.

On May 1, sources confirmed that the Ho Chi Minh City Police’s Criminal Investigation Department issued a decision to prosecute and detain 62-year-old Ut Em for “causing public disorder.”

Also charged were Do Phuong Linh and Nguyen Thanh Trieu. The prosecution and detention orders were approved by the city's Procuracy.

Authorities determined that a dispute over school management in late March led Ut Em and others to gather at the school gate, engage in vandalism, and disrupt public order, affecting community safety.

Additionally, the Ho Chi Minh City Inspectorate recently transferred documents to police to investigate AISVN's alleged illegal capital mobilization, which involved loan and investment contracts with parents.

Police are expanding their investigation into both the public disturbance and the school’s financial dealings.

Due to unpaid taxes, the Tax Department of District 7 - Nha Be has requested the revocation of AISVN's license. In March 2025, before her arrest, Ut Em led a group of staff and parents to the school’s gate, inciting unrest and damaging property. AISVN, once a prestigious international school, now stands for massive debt, scattered students, abandoned teachers, school suspension, and a chairwoman in jail.

Dam De