Hanoi (VNA) – A ceremony to kick off the Earth Hour 2025 was held in walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi on March 22 morning, drawing thousands of residents, organisations, and businesses in a show of solidarity.
The event themed "Green Transition – Green Future" has become a community festival, fostering sustainable living practices and raising awareness of the importance of energy transition.
The event featured diverse interactive activities including a creative check-in space, where a model of a balcony of an ancient house in Hanoi was displayed, integrated with a solar power system. This image is not only symbolic but also conveys a strong message about applying renewable energy in daily life.
Many university students came to the event to share messages about environmental protection, protecting the Earth with practical actions.
In addition, the cycling exhibit to generate electricity attract visitors, particularly children and their parents at the event. The generated electricity is used to charge phones or light up the “I am for Net-Zero” slogan. The ergonomic demonstration made clear the simplicity in generating clean energy, and the value of it.
Le Anh Thu, Vice Chairwoman of the Hoan Kiem District People's Committee, stressed the pressing need to combat climate change.
She said energy transition cannot be the sole effort of management agencies or businesses, but requires the cooperation and buy-in from everyone in the community, especially the younger generation. Every small action such as turning off the lights when not in use, limiting plastic waste, choosing environmentally friendly vehicles will contribute to building a green, sustainable future.
Joint efforts for the Earth
According to Vietnam Electricity (EVN), 2025 will bring more challenges to power generation and supply. To achieve economic growth of 8% or more, the power demand of the whole country may increase by 12% - 13%, and even much higher during some peak times of the dry season.
Tran Viet Nguyen, Deputy Head of EVN’s Business Department emphasised that the energy transition requires both businesses and power users to take action.
Vu Chi Mai, representing the GIZ Energy Support Programme (ESP), remarked, "This is our fourth year supporting Earth Hour in Vietnam. We aim to make energy efficiency a natural part of daily life and contribute to a green economy."
She said that the annual event is expected to improve awareness and create the habit of using energy efficiently and economically. Thus, each individual is joining hands to build a green economy.
“Turning off the lights to save energy within 1 hour of the Earth Hour event is a small action but has great meaning if we join hands to protect the planet and to protect future generations,” Mai said, adding that in addition to turning off the lights, people should “turn on” ideas for further environmental protection.
The event, organised by the Hanoi Department of Industry, the State Agency for Technology Innovation, and AT Media, was supported by GIZ and the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP)./.
