Initial information from the Ho Chi Minh City authorities, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em - Chairwoman of the Board of the American International School (AISVN) was prosecuted and temporarily detained for disturbing public order.
Also prosecuted and temporarily detained with Ms. Ut Em were two other subjects, D.P.L and N.T.Tr. These decisions have been approved by the People's Procuracy of Nha Be District, Ho Chi Minh City.
According to initial information, on March 26, 2025, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em led a group of parents and staff to the gate of My International School in Long Thoi commune, Nha Be district to destroy, disrupt, and disrupt social order and safety in the locality.
According to the development of the incident up to now, the scandal at the American International School began around October 2023 when many parents came to the school gate, demanding to meet Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em, demanding that Ms. Ut Em pay according to the refund contract.
These parents said that their children studied at the American International School, received regular training and were exempted from tuition fees during their time studying at the school.
The condition is that parents will lend to the school, the school will refund the loan from the time when students learn from 12th grade and complete the procedure to terminate the main training program or complete the procedures for stopping at the US International School.
However, many parents said that after their children have finished their school days, they have not yet received their refund.
Also in October 2023, the American International School held a parent meeting, publicly announced financial difficulties and discussed overcoming plans by mobilizing parents to contribute some additional funds.
Many parents continue to contribute more times to the school according to Ms. Ut Em's call.
On March 18, 2024, the American International School announced that it would temporarily suspend students because most of their teachers did not go to school to teach. The reason is that the school is facing financial difficulties and cannot pay full and on time salaries to teachers and staff.
On March 19, 2024, American International School announced its resumption of operations, but according to parents, most of the students going to school are divided into self-study sessions, playing in canteens, libraries, and soccer fields. Many parents take their children to school but have to return to pick them up.
On March 30, 2024, at a meeting between parents and the school council, with the participation of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Police, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em called on parents to contribute about 125 billion VND more to pay teachers' salaries and operate until the end of June.
An account was created later, with nearly 750 parents contributing more than 31 billion VND. By April 26, 2024, the American International School had ended the school year early instead of the end of May as usual.
At the same time, in March 2024, Ho Chi Minh City authorities implemented a measure to ban Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em from leaving the country due to personal income tax debt.
On June 28, 2024, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City issued a decision to suspend the operation of the American International School from July 1, 2024 due to insufficient financial capacity and human resources to maintain teaching. The suspension period is 12 months.
In August 2024, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City organized a transfer course for parents of students at the American International School.
By March 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee had issued a document directing the implementation of the inspection conclusion of the city inspectorate for signs of violations at the American International School.
In particular, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department was assigned to direct the Investigation Police Agency to receive information and documents for consideration and handling according to the provisions of law for American International Education Joint Stock Company AIS.
Consider and handle according to the provisions of law for US AIS International Education Joint Stock Company in mobilizing capital through loan contracts or educational investment contracts for the purpose of training and educating students but the school uses them to pay interest...
