Hanoi streets plunge into darkness on Saturday evening

(VOVworld) – Thousands of people in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city joined a ceremony of Earth Hour campaign at 8.30 pm on Saturday. The event was broadcast live on national TV. In Hanoi, representatives from the Minstries of Natural Resources and Environment and Trade and Industry, the Hanoi People’s Committee and Danish Ambassador to Vietnam switched off lights, showing support for efforts to save energy. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong said: “The 2012 Earth Hour campaign should not only last for 60 minutes, but also for 365 days of this year. We want to tell the world that Vietnamese people are responsible and committed to the protection of the environment, saving energy for the future. Let’s join common efforts to respond to climate change by practical deeds of every individual and organization. Let’s realize the common massage: “You and I take action together”.

The Earth Hour took place globally, starting from Australia. Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House went dark, followed by China’s Great Wall. In Singapore, 32 major trade centers turned off lights. Burj Khalifa skyscraper in United Arab Emirates went dark in one hour.

In Europe, major landmarks such as the Eiffel tower in Paris and the Buckingham Palace in London were unplugged in response to Earth Hour campaign.