Da Nang dissolves 122 non-compliant foreign language centers in January-October

The Da Nang Department of Education and Training issued a press release on the case involving Thien Lap Nhan English Center on Tuesday.

The move was made following the prosecution and detention of its director, Truong Van Thien Tu, on charges of fraud and appropriation of property related to the Prinberk Academy program.

In addition to inspecting and handling violations at Thien Lap Nhan English Center, the department has instructed commune- and ward-level authorities to coordinate in reviewing foreign language and computer training centers operating in their areas, promptly identify violations, and report them for coordinated action.

The department has also worked with the Department of Finance, social insurance agencies, and tax authorities to review the operational status of these establishments and dissolve those that are no longer registered to operate.

The department has required foreign language and computer training centers to submit reports every six months, updating information on enrollment, training activities, teaching staff, employees, and curricula, according to its leadership.

In 2024, the department inspected 16 foreign language centers, handling complaints concerning four foreign language centers and one life skills center. 

It temporarily suspended the operations of two foreign language centers, and shut down 10 centers that failed to meet the requirements for continued operations.

In 2025, it inspected 18 foreign language centers and disbanded 19 that were unable to meet operating requirements.

From the beginning of 2026 to October 30, the department inspected 10 foreign language centers and shuttered 122 that failed to meet the requirements for continued operations.

Earlier, Da Nang police said Thien Lap Nhan English Center had only been licensed to provide foreign language training, including English programs for children.

It was not authorized to teach the general education curriculum or enter into educational and training partnerships with foreign institutions.

However, since 2019, Tu had presented himself as the principal of Prinberk Academy, purportedly based in the United States, to recruit students and provide full-time general education under a homeschooling model at Thien Lap Nhan English Center.

More than 200 students aged five to 16 in Da Nang attended classes from Monday to Friday each week, with monthly tuition fees ranging from VND7 million (US$272) to VND8 million ($311) per student.

During enrollment consultations, Tu personally assured parents that Prinberk Academy was an international school registered and licensed in the United States.

He promised that upon completing the program, students would receive school records, transcripts, and certificates issued by Prinberk Academy in the U.S., which would be recognized for admission to subsequent education levels in the country.

However, no private school named Prinberk Academy existed at any time from 2019 through the end of 2024.

Furthermore, Prinberk Academy was not accredited under U.S. law, had no authority to award academic qualifications, and could not sponsor students for further studies in the States.

Although all the documents were fabricated in Vietnam, Tu falsely told parents that they had been issued by Prinberk Academy in the United States.

He then asked parents who wanted to obtain transcripts to pay an additional $100-120, purportedly to cover shipping fees from the United States to Vietnam.

Tu also had envelopes printed with the U.S. national flag and a return address in California to make parents believe the documents were being sent from the States.