Report on AUICK Associate Cities
Danang, Vietnam

Reported by Ms. Anh Thuy Nguyen, Head, Protcol and International Relation Division, Foreign Affairs Department, Danang People's Committee, Vietnam

Background

764 kilometres from Hanoi, Danang is in a key economic area of Vietnam. Danang is considered to be one of the fastest growing developers of infrastructure in the country, and is concentrating on developing tourism, services, manufacturing, agriculture and industry.

Administration and Revenue

The Danang People’s Committee, is headed by a Chairman, and is divided into four key administrative areas, each headed by a vice-chairman who oversees related departments and committees. The city also works collaboratively with local agencies of the central government.

Main Challenges Facing the City

Urban Planning
Danang is a young city with a fast growth rate. The city needs to be extended and developed as there is a pressing need for housing, removal of old buildings and resettlement of displaced residents. The city has completed a comprehensive design for urban renewal and is mindful of housing issues in general policy planning.

Hunger
Urbanization has seen many rural communities changed to urban wards, yet many of the affected residents have maintained their agricultural livelihoods. These people often have a low standard of living because poor mechanization, weak demand and low quality produce has made agriculture unprofitable for many.  Despite this, the agricultural sector remains relatively large.

Water
Fresh water and sanitation is a problem in rural areas. 65% of farmers live on alluvial coastal plains and underground water is aluminiferous. These low-lying areas are affected by salinity, become marshy during heavy rain and are prone to seasonal floods. Some surface water sources are also affected by tides, and there is an uneven distribution of water sources in mountainous areas. At times, residents in these areas face water shortages, particularly in the dry season.

Waste Disposal
In 2002, the collection capacity of waste reached only 85% of the city’s needs. The volume of waste is increasing, and untreated waste is causing pollution in several water sources.

Health care
In recent years Danang has made considerable achievements in reproductive and primary health care. Hospitals and major medical centres now have up-to-date equipment; however the equipment at commune medical stations remains insufficient and outdated.

Role and Relationship with AUICK

AUICK has trained 4 senior officials in the past six years. The Chairman of AUICK, Mr. Kazutoshi Sasayama, paid a working visit to Danang in February of this year. Danang is looking forward to the exchange of ideas and experiences with Kobe and AACs on emerging urban issues, and to the continued support of AUICK. Mrs. Nguyen Thuy Anh, Head of the Protocol-External Relations Division of the Foreign Affairs Department, has been appointed as the Liaison Officer for AUICK.

Other Information

The ‘Five Nos Policy’; No Beggars, No Illiteracy, No Murder for Robbery, No Hungry Households, and No Addicts, implemented by Danang People’s Committee, has achieved encouraging results; Danang now has no illiteracy, hungry households or beggars.