On Mar.31th 2012, turning off lights ceremony will officially take place from 20h30-21h30 in the framework of Earth Hour 2012 with the message “You and me, let’s take action” launched by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Earth Hour is an annual global event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) aiming to calls for governments, individuals, businesses and communities to turn off their lights for one hour to show their support for the world’s energy problems.
In Viet Nam, there were an increasing number of provinces and cities taking part in Earth Hour in the recent years. According to the Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the nation's electrical system saved 400,000 kWh (500 million VND) thanks to an hour switched off in 2011.
In tourism sector, many restaurants and hotels were the leading organizations in this campaign.
In Ha Noi, the major hotels had their decorative lighting and some other non-essential lights turned off for one hour to respond to Earth Hour.
In HCMC and Can Tho, 22 hotels and restaurants in the system of Saigontourist turned off all outside and inside lighting system as well as called tourists to use candles instead of electric lights…
In Hoi An, turning off electric lights and turning on thousand of lanterns has brought a sparkling and magical space for the Old Quarter and Hoai River. In addition, many other activities had been also taken place on Hoai River at the same time such as traditional music programs, the colored lantern and flower-garland releasing festival…to encourage Earth Hour.
Inheriting the success of the past years, Viet Nam’s grand hotels will also continue to join in the Earth Hour 2012 campaign through meaningful activities such as: romantic dinner party themed Earth Hour at Ming Palace restaurant at Sofitel Plaza Hanoi, Opera music concert with candles at Red River pub, sparkling cocktail party at Summit Lounge and many other activities.
In order to propagandize and raise people’s awareness of energy saving and effective using as well as to cope with global climate change, the official event of Earth Hour 2012 will be organized at Cach Mang Thang Tam (August Revolution) Square – Hanoi with the attendance of leaders of the State and Hanoi, ministries, pupils, students and artists.
The event will be live-broadcasted on VTV1 from 20h30-21h30 on Mar.31th 2012.
Thanh Pham (TITC)