Localities go dark in response to Earth Hour campaign

Localities across the country joined around 7,000 cities worldwide to turn off their lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 30 in response to the Earth Hour campaign 2019.

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (fifth from left) and other delegates at the switch-off ceremony in Hanoi (Photo: VGP)
Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (fifth from left) and other delegates at the switch-off ceremony in Hanoi (Photo: VGP)

A switch-off ceremony was held at the August Revolution Square in the downtown of Hanoi by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, and the Electricity of Vietnam, spreading the message of “Save energy, save the earth.”

Addressing the event, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh stressed that since Vietnam is assessed as one of the countries that is hardest hit by climate change, saving energy is a practical way to realise its international commitments to cope with climate change.

Vietnam’s participation in the Earth Hour campaign 2019 also reaffirmed the country’s determination to call on its citizens, businesses, agencies, and organisations to protect the environment, thus contributing to promoting sustainable development for a brighter future.

Non-essential lights and advertisement billboards were also turned off at Terminal 2 at Hanoi’s International Airport for one hour from 8:30 pm last night, saving nearly 4,000 kWh of electricity.

Ho Chi Minh City participated in the global movement as clocks hit 8:30 p.m. with a dimming of the lights at the city’s popular tourist attractions.

A similar event also took place in Hue city and Dien Bien province at the same time, calling on locals to shut down unnecessary lights and electrical equipment.

Yesterday morning, a campaign was launched in Lap Vo district, in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, with a tree planting ceremony and a seminar on energy, attracting the participation of more than 500 students.

Meanwhile, in the northern province of Thai Nguyen, the campaign drew more than 5,000 people who signed to commit to switching off at least one light for at least 60 minutes on March 30 night.