"Lights-off festival"

(Baonghean.vn) On Saturday night, March 31, 2012, Vinh City was bustling like a festival. Streams of people – old, middle-aged, young, and even children – carrying small candles paraded along the main streets, from Quang Trung, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ho Tung Mau, Le Duan, Truong Thi… carrying messages in support of “Earth Hour”: “Act together to protect the green planet”; “Act, act! Turn off the lights, turn off the lights!”; “Save energy, fight climate change”…

Sharing with us, Mrs. Dau Thi Van, 70 years old, from Le Mao ward, said: “I am a Buddhist participating in the parade to lead many others in taking action to protect the environment and our own lives.” For Mr. Cao Van Thang (Hanoi), tonight in Vinh City was truly impressive. Although Vinh City lacks the dazzling, colorful electric lights, it still created a magical atmosphere with candlelight and hearts filled with concern for the common good of the globe, namely climate change.



A large number of people participated in and supported Earth Hour 2012.

According to our findings, thousands of people from 11 volunteer clubs in Nghe An province and many other organizations and groups participated in the parade in Vinh City tonight. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Anh – Chairman of the Vinh City Volunteer Club, shared: “Tonight, 11 out of 15 volunteer clubs in the Nghe An volunteer community, such as the Vinh City Volunteer Club, Green Aspiration, Green Journey, and Faith, directly participated in many activities in response to the event, such as raising awareness and lighting candles at 8 cafes in the city; organizing a guitar music night under candlelight; connecting and sharing information with the online community to support “Earth Hour”; and participating in parades on the city streets…”



Young people from a club participate in Earth Hour.

Not only members of volunteer clubs in Nghe An but also many agencies and families responded very actively. Nguyen Hai Dang, a first-grade student at Le Mao Primary School (Vinh City), had already made plans for himself since the afternoon and reminded his parents and siblings to prepare their family's activities to be ready to participate in "Earth Hour." Hai Dang and his whole family were very excited. When there were only a few seconds left until 8:30, the time for turning off the lights for "Earth Hour," Hai Dang counted down the clock and switched off the lights himself. He was happy because just one small action of his contributed to the fight against climate change. For Ms. Tran Thi Huong, who runs a beverage shop in Truong Thi ward, thanks to the "Earth Hour" activities, people like her have realized that each person needs to take a little action to make a big change.

To ensure the safety of the "Earth Hour" activities, traffic police and riot police increased patrols on main roads and intersections to ensure traffic safety and social order during "Earth Hour". Mr. Nguyen Thuong Hien, Deputy Director of Nghe An Power Company, said that the amount of electricity saved during "Earth Hour" in the province is approximately 200 MWh.

It can be affirmed that this is the third year Nghe An has participated in "Earth Hour," and it is noteworthy that there have been more activities and a larger number of participants compared to the previous two years. Many people have become clearly aware that saving energy and turning off electrical devices when not needed may not significantly affect the economy and daily lives of individuals and families, but it is an action to protect resources and a sustainable living environment.

Minh Chi