Speaking on the occasion, Mr Carter expressed his delight at participating in the housing project for 32 households in Dong Xa fishing village. He said that during the past 26 years of working for Habitat for Humantity International - a non-governmental organisation, he and his wife have devoted much of their time to the project.

So far, the non-governmental organisation has helped build and repair nearly 300,000 houses for the poor in the world, introducing a safe, simple and low-cost housing model to some 1.5 million of people.

Habitat has co-ordinated with partners in Vietnam to help build houses and implement projects on safe water and environmental hyginene. It has participated in many projects in Hai Duong, Vinh Phuc, Kien Giang, Tien Giang, Dong Nai, HCM City and is planing to expand its activities into other areas in the near future.