The Consultative Group Meeting of December 2000 determined that urban development and management would be one of the priorities in Vietnam over the next decade. It was recommended that a “Vietnam Urban Forum” (VUF) be established, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders and the donor community, with the Government taking a key role. The Forum would be a platform for partners to share experi
ence and draw lessons learned which would contribute to further development of policies in order to implement the urban development and management in Vietnam. The Government supports this initiative and has assigned the Ministry of Construction, in co-ordination with the donors, to organise the VUF (letter No.1635/VPCP-QHQT dated 18.04.2001 and letter No.514/VPCP-QHQT dated 29.01.2003, signed by the Government Office). The VUF has been operating since May 2001. Co-operation among the partners has created some concrete outputs and has built up a partnership in urban management and development. However, a stronger commitment is needed among the partners to allow the VUF to continue its operations effectively. Therefore, a “Memorandum of Understanding” is to be signed by interested urban partners to emphasize their commitment to VUF activities in the future.
