Vietnam makes quick progress because the people are very active and take responsibility for the development of their village. There is no bridge so that the children could go to school safely? The people meet, money and labor are put together. Those who have nothing to contribute? The village will share the burden, they may repay later.

Viêt Nam Plus was not enthusiastic in embarking into a program to make bridges and small roads in the delta. But this was the top priority for the villagers. Today we help with the preparations, the priorities are set -there is so much to do, and we cover 25% of the costs. We were right to trust the villagers: the value of their crops increase because they can better choose to whom they want to sell, they have more buyers to choose from. The children go to school earlier. In short, their village is better connected.

But would this not be the responsibility of the State? Probably. The government starts with the big roads, the small ones are still taken care of the local people (in the villages like in towns). When the local authorities see the villagers have done their part, then it is more enclined to connect the small roads together, with a big 25m bridge for instance, thus improving the general network.