Hanoi pioneered the drive, which spread to other cities and provinces across the country including Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.
Through various means of communication, such as riding bicycles, marching, delivering leaflets, and hanging posters, young volunteers helped raise public awareness of saving energy in response to climate change.
Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang called on organizations, individuals, families and businesses to join the drive and show their commitment by simply turning off all unnecessary electric equipment.
The 2015 Earth Hour campaign was launched in Hanoi on February 7, drawing some 3,000 volunteers, then in central and southern cities of Da Nang, Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City.
On March 28, all 63 cities and provinces in Vietnam along with 7,000 cities in nearly 200 nations and territories across the world responded to the 2015 Earth Hour by turning off all lights from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
The annual event is organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade with technical support from the World Wildlife Fund (WFF) and the Denmark Embassy in Vietnam.
Last year, Vietnam saved 431,000 kWh of electricity, worth roughly 650 million VND (30,550 USD).
Retailers launch eco-friendly services
Many supermarkets nationwide have collected used batteries, offered reusable bags and cut prices on energy-savings devices in response to the Earth Hour event scheduled from 8:30pm-9:30pm on March 28.
Besides promoting a green lifestyle on its online game Green Earth, the Big C supermarket chain has begun a long-term program to collect used batteries at its offices and supermarkets nationwide.
The aim is to help raise awareness among its staff and customers about the potential harm to the environment caused by improper disposal of used batteries.
Big C is also offering reusable bags to shoppers at a low price to limit the use of plastic bags.
Similarity, LOTTE Mart supermarket chain is encouraging customers and staff to collect used batteries to protect the environment and save energy in peak hours.
Between 9am and 11am on March 28, the supermarket presented environmentally friendly bags to customers who have contributed 10-20 used batteries.
All collected batteries will be transferred to a factory specializing in hazardous waste treatment, said Yoon Byung Soon, administrative director of LOTTE Mart Viet Nam.
In addition, Big C, LOTTE Mart and Saigon Co.op outlets, including Co.opmart chain, Co.opXtra, Sense City mall and Co.op Food stores, turned off many of their lights for an hour from 8:30pm on March 28 in support of the Earth Hour Campaign.
Co.opmart chain and Co.opXtra have also cut prices between 28 and 50% on thousands of energy-saving products until April 8, including rice cookers, rechargeable lights, electric fans and induction cookers of Comet, Rang Dong, Supor, Honey, Sunhouse, Bluestar and Lifan brands.
From March 30 to April 4, the supermarkets will present 350,000 eco-friendly bags and more than 70,000 essential products to shoppers who purchase products from companies that engage in eco-friendly practices, such as P&G, Unilever, Dutch Lady and Miliket Colusa.
Around 5,000 people are expected to take part in the 2015 Green Earth Hour Campaign in HCM City's Youth Cultural House on March 28, organized by Saigon Giai Phong newspaper in collaboration with the departments of Natural Resources and Environment, Industry and Trade, the HCM City Communist Youth Union and Saigon Co.op.
Earth Hour was first organised by the World Wild Fund for Nature in Australia in 2007 for action to prevent climate change, and has since grown to become the world's largest voluntary action for the planet.
Source: Vietnam Net Bridge | 30 March 2015
