On the morning of November 11^th, 8^th Vietnam - France Conference on Decentralized Cooperation was formally opened at the Conference Center of Hai Phong City with participation of over 500 representatives from national ministries, agencies, provinces and institutions of the two countries, Vietnam and France.

The conference theme of "Vietnam - France decentralized cooperation: Intensified relation for a sustainable development" confirmed the great significance and importance of the cooperation among provinces from the two nations in the direction of an effective, stable and expanded cooperation in the future to meet prospective requirements of the bilateral relationship which has been increasingly and closely strengthened in various fields.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Haiphong City People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Van Thanh emphasized: the Vietnamese - French cooperation had been formed for ages and growing stronger and stronger through a number of diplomatic, cultural and commercial ties. This time, 8^th Vietnam - France Conference on Decentralized Cooperation in Hai Phong also earmarked the spirit of bilateral friendship. This was a golden opportunity for the two countries to discuss and seek for specific solutions and their commons in such issues of sustainable development and climate, training and research. It was also a good chance for Hai Phong city to learn and share experiences in development and cooperation with localities of the two countries, and thereby the city could introduce the images and potentials of their land and people in the course of the national socio-economic development.

The conference comprised two plenary sessions, taking place in 2 days November 5^th and 6^th, with five thematic workshops: Decentralized Cooperation Environment; Activities for Sustainable Development, Education and Training, Cultures - Heritages and Public Services.

In the morning session of the first day, the delegates heard statements made by representatives from Ile de France Council, Rhone-Alpes Council; Aquitene Council, Poitou Charentes Council, Toulouse city etc. of France, and Ho Chi Minh City, Thua Thien-Hue, Lao Cai, Da Nang, Yen Bai etc. of Vietnam.

In the afternoon of the same day, there were two thematic seminars. The first "Decentralized Cooperation Environment " workshop was presided by Thua Thien-Hue and Poitou Charentes. At the workshop, the participants exchanged and shared their discussion of the issues such as diversifying and establishing a network of decentralized cooperation, roles of the European Union in the decentralized cooperation process, roles of Vietnamese citizens and organizations in welcoming French people and agencies to Vietnam etc. The second workshop on "Activities for Sustainable Development" were co-chaired by Hai Phong City People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Van Thanh and Brest Metropolis Ocean Vice Chairman. The participants focused on discussion of three main issues: management of sustainable coastal development in association with environmental protection, biodiversity, climate change; urban planning; water resource management. At the workshop, Chairman Nguyen Van Thanh delivered a memoir on "Development of Hai Phong City: Eco-city, a model of sustainable economic development."