LookAtVietnam – So far 377 cities out of 74 countries worldwide have signed up to the WWF’s Earth Hour – double the total last year. To mark the first year Viet Nam is to take part in the event, Viet Nam News talked to young people across the country

Energy saving products are showcased at a trade fair in Ha Noi to encourage people to save energy.

“An event like Earth Hour will not work without the co-operation of every single person that has agreed to join,” she says.

Television producer Nghiem Quynh Trang, 25, agrees. “It’s good for young Vietnamese people to feel being part of a global movement – part of the 1 billion people trying to make a difference.”

Equally exuberant is Nguyen Dieu Linh, 24, a marketing manager. “Earth Hour can change the way people think about Viet Nam, the world and how everything we do has the potential to effect others,” she says.

“I’ve learnt to appreciate everything I have in life,” says 23-year-old Nguyen Thi Hong Mai, a graphic designer. “It’s difficulty to try to imagine one hour of my life without electricity. It’s making me think more carefully about wasting energy.”

The event is a good way for the country to promote environmental issues, says Ngoc, 23, a researcher at the Development Strategy Institute – Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Earth Hour is targeting young people in particular, says Nguyen Thanh Thuy, communication officer at WWF Great Mekong office in Ha Noi. “They are consuming energy now, and they will consume energy in the future. Young people are the ones who can bring about positive changes.”

An hour to think

The young interviewees have a variety of ideas as to how they will spend an hour doing something that won’t cost the earth.

“I’m just going to soak in the bath for an hour in the darkness,” says Trang. “I do that everyday anyway, but this time I’ll have the lights off.”

Huyen says she will take the chance to go for a relaxing walk. “I’m usually too busy with technology to go for a walk. You never know, I might like it so much I have my own little Earth Hour every day after this!”

Ngoc is choosing to take the time to have an intimate chat with her loved ones.

“People tend to be afraid of opening up to people they are close to. It might be easier in the darkness.”

Turning off for Earth Hour isn’t just about electricity, says architect Nguyen Ngoc Hung, 26. “You need to remember, turning off the lights is just one way to save energy, using petrol or lighting a candle also affects the environment. “So if you want to save energy, think carefully about how you’re going to do it. A good source of light to remember is the moon.”

Because the event is aimed at young people, the WWF want to make it as fun as possible, WWF representative Thuy says. According to her, a two-hour Gala night with music and art performances will be hosted at the Opera House square and broadcast live across the world.

“Earth Hour is from 8.30 to 9.30 pm on a Saturday (March 28) – the time when most young people are out having fun. We ask them to join us for just one night and help put a stop to global warming.”

At the moment, Ha Noi is the only city in Viet Nam that has signed up for Earth Hour. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has sent out invitations to other big cities and provinces in the country. There’s still more than a month to go to rally more participants before the big day.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News