Hanoi (VNA) 🐷– Thousands gathered at Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem pedestrian zone on March 22 to launch Earth Hour 2025, themed “Green Transition – Green Future”, transforming a symbolic lights-off event into a dynamic rallying cry for sustainability.
What began as an annual environmental event has morphed into a vibrant grassroots movement, uniting residents, businesses, and youth in a shared mission to champion clean energy and eco-conscious habits.
Spreading the message of sustainability
This year’s kickoff buzzed with energy, offering a host of interactive activities designed to engage and educate. A standout attraction was a creative check-in spot showcasing a model of a traditional Hanoi balcony fitted with a solar power system, a striking symbol of how renewable energy can seamlessly integrate into daily life.
Many volunteers, mostly university students, spread actionable environmental messages through engaging interactions. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Student-led art performances highlighted themes of sustainability and eco-friendliness, while pedal-powered generators stole the spotlight. These unique bicycles powered phone chargers and illuminated the “I am for Net-Zero” banner, offering a hands-on demonstration of clean energy’s practical value.
Vice Chairwoman of the Hoan Kiem district People's Committee, underscored the growing severity of climate change and its threats to the environment, public health, and socioeconomic development. With forecasts predicting record-high temperatures this summer, she urged the entire society to shift awareness and action collectively.
“Energy transition cannot rest solely on regulatory bodies or businesses”, she said. “It requires effort from every individual, especially the youth. Simple acts like switching off unused lights, cutting plastic use, and opting for green transport are vital steps toward a sustainable future”.
Joining hands to protect the planet
A report from the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) revealed that meeting the country's economic growth targets of 8% or more would necessitate a 12%-13% jump in power use, with dry-season spikes looming.
Tran Viet Nguyen, Deputy Head of EVN’s Business Division, stressed proactive corporate action as key to the energy sector’s green transition. He noted that EVN is aligning with the roadmap established by the Government and Ministry of Industry and Trade, particularly the recently-updated National Power Development Plan VIII
Energy expert Vu Chi Mai, Project Director of CASE in Vietnam under the GIZ Energy Support Program (GIZ ESP) said, "Turning off lights for an hour during Earth Hour may seem modest but carries profound impact. When we unite to protect the planet and future generations, this gesture sparks new ideas and awareness, empowering us to do things better and walk together in this mission".
These unique bicycles power phone chargers and illuminate the “I am for Net-Zero” banner, offering a hands-on demonstration of clean energy’s practical value. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
With thousands joining enthusiastically, Earth Hour 2025 succeeded in amplifying the appeal of a movement toward a greener lifestyle. Its creative and meaningful activities played a key role in boosting public consciousness about energy conservation, environmental protection, and urban green transition.
According to a representative from the Organising Committee, the event’s true success lies not just in the day’s memorable moments but in its ability to inspire ongoing action. By fostering a collective commitment to sustainability, Earth Hour 2025 has set the stage for individuals and organisations to work together toward a greener, brighter tomorrow./.
This is an opportunity to showcase advanced technologies and products while reaffirming the commitment to developing and promoting clean energy in Vietnam.
This year’s event transformed into a community festival, fostering sustainable living practices and raising awareness of the importance of energy transition.
To maximise impact, the Ministry called on local authorities and EVN to conduct awareness campaigns throughout March, encouraging individuals, organisations, and businesses to switch off unnecessary lights and devices during Earth Hour.
Mariam Sherman, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, said the World Bank remains committed to working with the Vietnamese government to develop the next phase of climate resilience and transformation for the Mekong Delta.
Under the directive, the PM instructed relevant agencies to regularly inspect, supervise and proactively implement disaster prevention, response and rescue measures in line with their assigned roles and mandates, ensuring readiness, avoiding passivity or delays, and maintaining operational continuity amid ongoing political and administrative restructuring at levels.
According to Dr. Vu Anh Tuan, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Space Centre and head of the project, this is the first study in Vietnam to simultaneously employ Sentinel-2 satellite data, advanced machine learning algorithms, and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform to model and monitor key seawater quality parameters.
The Deposit Return System is seen as a potential instrument for effectively advancing Vietnam’s vision of a circular economy, as outlined in Article 142 of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection.
The figures were highlighted in a Pre-Feasibility Study on a DRS tailored for single-use beverage packaging in Vietnam, conducted by Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Young people should not view AI as salvation but rather as a tool under human control. Young creators should focus on learning and accumulating practical knowledge, using AI as a tool to carry out artistic projects in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.
Saigon Hi-Tech Park’s ambitious 50% renewable energy goal far exceeds the city’s 15% target, positioning the park as a trailblazing “living lab” for sustainable energy solutions.
Vietnam's economic losses from natural disasters are estimated to account for 1 to 1.5% of GDP annually - a steep price that will continue to rise unless the country takes strong action.
Wutip, the first storm in the East Sea so far this year, has wreaked havoc across central Vietnam, claiming lives, displacing residents, and causing widespread damage to houses, crops, and infrastructure, the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention and Control reported as of 6:30 pm on June 13.
The tremor occurred at 7:39:46 am (Hanoi time), with the epicentre located at latitude 14.924°N and longitude 108.236°E, at a depth of approximately 8.1 kilometres. The natural disaster risk level was classified as 0 – the lowest on the scale.
Addressing a session on “Accelerating Financing for Resilience: Tailored Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction,” Deputy Minister Hiep emphasised Vietnam's proposal in building sustainable financing in response to natural disasters, which aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction's goals.
Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitments by participating in global sustainable development forums, signing multiple free trade agreements, and attracting support from international partners for the implementation of the SDGs.
The fight against plastic pollution could not succeed through isolated efforts, but it must be a collective endeavour involving the entire political system, businesses, citizens, and the international community, said Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy.
Lang Son Global Geopark, with its outstanding geological values, cultural heritage, and unique natural landscapes, represents a valuable addition to UNESCO’s global geoparks system.
In 2019, Quang Ninh became one of the first localities in Vietnam to launch a province-wide campaign against plastic waste, mobilising the participation of the political system, the business sector, and the general public. Other localities—such as Hai Phong, Da Nang, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City—have also effectively implemented waste-sorting initiatives at source, along with models for plastic-free markets and urban areas.
This year’s World Oceans Day on June 8 is themed 'Wonderful Oceans: Sustaining What Sustains Us', while World Environment Day is on June 5 with the theme: 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment Le Huu Toan, a fire prevention and control plan has been in place since the dry season began, including round-the-clock patrols and rapid-response teams to snuff out fires before they could spread.
Renowned artists including Ha Anh Tuan, Den Vau, and Phan Manh Quynh, along with many directors and attendees, took part in planting hundreds of rare tree species such as mun (Diospyros mun) and cho chi (Parashorea chinensis) in the Thung Bong area of the Cuc Phuong National Park, contributing to forest ecosystem restoration.
