Why are so many roads in Vientiane damaged and remain unrepaired for so long?

Many roads in the city are potholed and remain unrepaired for a long time, especially in the rainy season. It’s often because they were poorly built and quality controls were not enforced, while road surfaces are often too weak to support heavy trucks. Vientiane Times asked some local residents for their thoughts on this chronic issue. 

Ms Champa Punyavong from Xieng Khuang province: I have lived and worked in Vientiane for many years. I think there’s been a big increase in the number of vehicles on our roads, which has caused quite a lot of damage. I don’t enjoy driving because the roads are so dirty and many sections are potholed, even some of the small roads in the city centre. I don’t know how to solve this problem but I think it’s the duty of the government to make sure that roads are clean and in good condition, as well as being safe for drivers.
 
Mr Xaypanya, a resident of Vientiane: I really don’t understand why so many roads in Vientiane are in such poor condition. I would say that only the roads around Lang Xang Avenue are good, but Vientiane is the capital and things should be better, so why is this not the case? We cannot rely on roads to be well surfaced and have to drive carefully all the time in case we encounter a broken up section or a missing manhole cover. If we compare our roads to those in neighbouring countries, theirs are always better even if they aren’t in the capital or a main town. I often hear foreigners complain that there are a lot of luxury cars on the roads and a lot of fancy houses, but that so many people in Laos are poor. I feel bad about this because it indicates that there’s a big problem with corruption.
 
Mr Khamyod, a company employee in Vientiane: This is an interesting issue and I think we have every right to complain about the state of the roads here more so than in the countryside, because it’s clear the government is unable to improve matters. Why are the roads so bad in the city centre? I think it’s because of corruption, but people aren’t allowed to complain about it openly; we just have to accept the fact. Any construction company should comply with the MOU or contract that was signed with the government concerning the project, such as the length of time it will take to build a road and how long it can expect to be used for. When construction is complete, checks should be carried out and if the road surface breaks up the company should repair it immediately or be fined if the road is of poor quality. What I have seen is unacceptable, although I don’t know what the government does to try to resolve the problem. It’s not only roads that are an issue – there are other things that need improvement.
 
Ms Noun Keomany, a businesswoman in Sisattanak district: The roads in my village of Donnokkhoum are in very bad condition, even the main road that’s asphalted, because they get flooded so often. It’s like some of the roads were never properly built in the first place and have never been finished in the years since. I feel like no one can be held responsible now, but some sections are quite dangerous. And there are lots of small side roads that are always dusty and some that are almost impossible to use. Driving on such roads every day is unpleasant. Villagers sometimes band together to carry out repairs, but they don’t last for long because there are so many big trucks plying the route from Donnokkhoun to Sangwuey.

By Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
(Latest Update September 26, 2022)