Urbanization is bringing many new pressures for example, natural hazards pose major risks to dykes and embankments along rivers; energy demand is driving the development of dams and hydroelectricity systems; greenhouse gas emissions are rising; there are more frequent and intense extreme weather events and continuing sea level rise; and natural hazards are having a greater impact on safety and infrastructure. With a combination of those issues, many communities in urban and peri-urban areas are increasingly vulnerable to natural hazards and disasters. Efforts in disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Vietnam to date have primarily focused on rural areas and often employ effective community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) methods. This paper analyzes gaps and challenges in urban DRR in Vietnam. Keywords: Disaster Risk Reduction/Hazard Management