On March 7, 2023, the Central Economic Commission (CEC) of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Ministry of Construction in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), have jointly organized the first seminar amongst its series on urban resilience at national level. This seminar is organized under the framework of WARM Facility funded by the European Union to improve Vietnam’s resilience to water-related hazards, through more resilient cities and territories to climate change and natural hazards. 

Seminar “Sustainable planning and development of urban areas

The seminar creates a forum to exchange views on how to support Vietnam to achieve its objectives of (i) building resilient cities and provinces, and (ii) reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting the environment. 

After 35 years of development, the urban planning in Vietnam has reached remarkable results, with urban growth at a high rate (40% in 2022/30.5% in 2010), contributing to about 70% of the country’s GDP, steadily improving the well-being of people in urban areas. However, the process of urbanization still occurs many limitations: rapid growth without a global vision, urban infrastructures asynchronously constructed with socio development and environmental protection, waste of land and natural/human resources, lack of management capacity. A unified strategic urban planning is consequently required to harmonize the above-mentioned issues moving forward to climate-resilient green growth and the net zero emission target by 2050. 

“One of the main tasks of the construction industry for the next coming years is to efficiently implement the Resolution n°148/NQ-CP. This resolution is expected to make an important change in quantity and quality of urban planning. Having a permanent role in international cooperation in the field of urban development, the Ministry of Construction actively participates in activities at international level, including with France and other countries of the European Union. This seminar is one example of such international cooperation”, said by Mr Nguyen Tuong Van, Vice–Minister of Construction.

Mr Nguyen Tuong Van, Vice-Minister of Construction

Speaking at the seminar, European Union H.E. Ambassador Giorgio ALIBERTI emphasized: “The European Union remains strongly committed to support the Government of Vietnam in achieving sustainable development path: that's why we have created the WARM facility, financing the preparation and implementation of strategic infrastructure investment projects to enhance Vietnam’s capacities in adapting to climate change. The experience gained from these projects feeds into Europe's sectoral policy dialogue with the Vietnamese government”.
Building upon the 20-year long history of cooperation between Lyon and Ho-Chi-Minh-City in urban planning and management, the experts from Lyon (France) have brought in experiences who have successfully paved the way towards a resilient urban development for Lyon. "France stands ready to ramp up its support to the Vietnamese authorities in their actions against climate change, be it through attenuation or adaptation. Climate change is a challenge that we are all facing, and that is why I believe the experience provided by the experts from Lyon can contribute to shed a new light on the climate change adaptation strategies for the cities and provinces in Vietnam”, said Nicolas WARNERY, Ambassador of France to Vietnam.

Mr Nicolas WARNERY, Ambassador of France to Vietnam

The seminar gathers many speakers from central and local authorities in charge of urban development and experiences sharing by experts from the French Authority of Lyon Metropolitan Area, France on using French tool for dialogue and negotiation between local public authorities and private operators in urban development operations.

Overview of the seminar