The setting up of a framework for the vulnerability assessment in the case of Venice offers significant challenges in order to investigate the ability of the environment including the built environment, to anticipate and respond to the hazards identified, in view of unexpected events that may damage Venice and the surrounding territory. The hazards which can be experienced in the area are various, including earthquake, tsunami/meteo-tsunami, flooding, sea level rise (related to global warming, subsidence, coastal erosion, salt wedge intrusion), release of toxic substances from chemical plants, pollution, conservation of monuments and the impact of tourism. The resilience of the environment refers to key issues including ecology, economy, tourism and industry, society and the population, construction and infrastructure, cultural heritage. The paper includes a review of literature aiming at the definition of vulnerability and resilience. Reference is made to specific frameworks which are identified, with a special focus on MOVE - Methods for the improvement of vulnerability assessment in Europe presented as a conceptual framework for a holistic approach to disaster risk assessment and management. MOVE arose from the need to develop methods and indicators for improving vulnerability assessments to natural hazards in Europe, and established a consistent framework. In addition relevant experiences are analysed including the Regional Risk Assessment (RRA) for the North Adriatic Coast in Italy, the post-earthquake reconstruction plan for the Arsita Municipality (Abruzzo) in Italy and the UNISDR Program “Making Cities Resilient”. The approach for vulnerability analysis and overall system resilience for Venice and its territory needs to cover a wide spectrum and is complicated. The review sets the framework, for the vulnerability assessment and the overall resilience analysis with reference to Venice and the surrounding North Adriatic area.