YEN TANG, Vietnam - Hillary Rodham Clinton visited a tiny, dusty village on the outskirts of Hanoi where small doses of credit are helping women entrepreneurs alleviate rural poverty. "For many years, I've believed in the power of small loans. You have once again proved what can be done by women, with some small help and hard work," she told a town meeting of women. Mrs. Clinton, who is with President Clinton on his historic trip to Vietnam, broke away Friday morning to visit one of her pet projects - a "microcredit" lending program similar to operations she's visited in twenty other countries.

Largely funded by aid agency Oxfam America, The Affectionate Fund* is modeled after the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, which gives loans to poor people who are seen as credit risks by mainstream banks. Since it began in Vietnam in 1992, loans of 300,000 to 8 million dong ($21 to $570) have been given to about 11,000 women in five provinces, said director emeritus Do Thi Tan.

Hundreds of villagers lined the streets watching the motorcade pass. Enthusiastic clapping again broke out as Mrs. Clinton made her way into the simple, wooden meeting hall of the program's members. The small room was packed with rows of women dressed in matching pink and aqua shirts who began the meeting chanting and singing songs about the program. "Together we go to fight against hunger and poverty. Together we stand side by side to try to make our country rich. ... friends, advance," they sang.

Mrs. Clinton also heard reports about how the average monthly income among the program participants has more than tripled, from 26,000 dong ($2) to 88,000 ($6), enabling women to educate their children, buy appliances and renovate their houses.

"I know women are a very important part of Vietnam's future, as you were a part of the past," Clinton told the group. "I hope I'll hear many more success stories because you are really making a better future for yourselves, your families, your village and your country.''

Tini Tran, The Associated Press.