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I. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In 1986, Vietnam began its renovation (Doi Moi) process, opening opportunities for Vietnamese urban development. Given this context, in 1992, leaders of five cities of Da Nang, Hue, Nam Dinh, Vinh and Viet Tri initiated to establish an united and cooperative association of provincial cities and towns. In 1993, three other cities namely: Bien Hoa, Can Tho, and Nha Trang participated. January 1993 in Da Nang, with the attendance of leaders from eight cities: Nam Dinh, Viet Tri, Bien Hoa, Vinh, Can Tho, Nha Trang, Hue, and Da Nang, a mobilization board of Association of Provincial Cities of Viet Nam was been introduced.

After nearly ten years of performance with a lot of conferences, workshops, training courses were held, on the one hand, to absorb participation of cities and towns and build capacity for cadre and civil servants and, on the other hand, to prepare establishing procedure according to the laws. On July 17, 2000 Minister Head of Personnel Organization Department of Government made the Decision No. 45/2000/QD-BTCCBCP on permitting the establishment of Association of Cities of Viet Nam (ACVN).

The first Congress of ACVN with 47 member municipalities was organized successfully in Hue city on May 10-11, 2001. At this congress, regulations, orientation, and mission of ACVN had been approved and Executive Board including 13 members been appointed. Hue city was chosen as chairman city.

On April 1, 2003 an unusual meeting of ACVN was held in Viet Tri city and decided to amend the regulations to expend membership to central run cities. During August 24-25, 2006, second congress term (2006-2010) of ACVN was solemnly held in Hanoi with the attendance of 268 participants representing 82 member cities. At the congress, the activity report of 2001-2006 and activity orientation term 2006-2010 had been approved. The strategic development plan, revised regulations had also been approved. The congress appointed Executive board of 2006-2010 including 19 members. The Hanoi Peoples Committee was voted as chairman city.


II. FUNCTIONS, MISSIONS AND ORGANIZATION

1. Principles and Objectives

Association of Cities of Vietnam is a voluntary social association of the cities nationwide, being a bridge connecting cities and towns, promoting united and cooperative relationship among cities in the filed of urban construction, management and development. ACVN is also a representative organization of cities of Viet Nam in internal and external relations within the framework of a non-governmental organization.

2. Functions and Missions

+ Organizing cooperative activities bring back interests for members, creating favorable conditions for information exchange of knowledge, experience, seeking cooperative opportunities of mutual development.

+ From forums organized by the Association, reviewing experiences and building lessons form real-life practice in order to propose suggestion and comments to State agencies in making urban policies and guidelines. Play the social consultative function in giving comments on making and applying legal documents, orientations in urban section.

+ Organizing training courses in administrative and technical expertise for the professional staff of economic and technical management to enhance their managerial capacity in urban development and management.

+ Acting as focal point for establishing cooperation relations in urban fields with foreign cities, international organizations to exchange information, provide technical training exchange, managerial experience and seek for financial supports for the member cities for facilitating urban development.

3. Membership

Member of ACVN is cities and towns who want to attend on the voluntary basis. Chairman or Chairwoman of member city is representative for that city. There were 47 members at the first Congress. There are now 90 of total 92 cities and town nationwide including five biggest cities namely: Ha Noi Capital, HoChi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Can Tho.

4. Organization

The Executive Committee is voted by all member at Congress with term of five years. The Second Congress has voted Executive Committee comprising 19. One Chairperson and 04 Vice Chairpersons are be elected by the Executive Committee. Ha Noi capital is elected as chairman. Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, and Lang Son City are elected as vice chairmen.
Monitoring Committee is elected by the Congress comprising three members with term of five years. Vinh City is elected as Head of monitoring committee for the term of 2006-2010. Vinh City is elected as Head of Monitoring Committee. Bac Giang and Ca Mau are member of Monitoring Committee for the period 2006-2010.


EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE ASSOCIATON OF CITIES OF VIETNAM, TERM 2006-2010

Mr. NguyenThe Thao
Chairman of the ACVN
Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee

Mr. Le Hoang Quan
Vice Chairman of the ACVN
Chairman of HCM City People's Committee

Mr. Tran Thanh Man
Vice Chairman of the ACVN
Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee

Mr. Nguyen Van Cao
Vice Chairman of the ACVN
Chairman of Hue City

Mr. Dao Trong Tam
Vice Chairman of the ACVN
Chairman of Lang Son City

The Secretariat suggested by Executive Committee and approved by Chairman comprising 01 General Secretary and some secretaries in charge of advising Chairmen and vice chairmen to manage the Associations activities. Implement Congress Resolution, program, and plans of annual meetings also run office activities.

There are now three members in Secretariat including:

- General Secretary: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan
- Vice General Secretary: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Vinh, and:
- Vice General Secretary: Dr. Nguyen Ninh Thuc

ACVN office is assigned to implement administrative and financial tasks:

- Chief of office: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Thi Vinh
- Vice chief of office: Mr. Nguyen Quang Hung


III. ACTIVITIES

1. Internal Relations:

- ACVN is member of National Council for Urban Upgrading Assessment,

- ACVN is one of Vietnam Urban Forum members.

- Play roles in building laws and urban-related issues.

- Organize and promote exchanges among cities within a similarly ecological region, creating favorable conditions for mutual understanding and seeking solutions for urban-related issues.

- Organize training courses, seminars, workshops in order to enhance knowl-edge, capacity, and skills for city cadres and civil servants.

2. External Relations:

*Partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)

*Cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF) (Germany)

*Cooperation with International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT) Japan.

*Cooperation with the World Bank


CONTACT

Address: 389 Doi Can street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi
Tel.: 04.7629571; Fax: 04.7629571;
Email:acvn@fpt.vn, mail@acvn.vn;
Website: www.acvn.vn