Amid growing challenges to energy security, the Earth Hour 2026 campaign continues to spread the message of energy efficiency and energy transition. With strong participation from the public in Hanoi, the event contributes to turning awareness into action within the community.
On the morning of 28 March 2026, at Thong Nhat Park (Hanoi), the launch ceremony for the Earth Hour 2026 campaign was held, convening a large number of participants. The event is an annual activity of the Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) project, in coordination with the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade and the State Agency for Technology Innovation under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The campaign aims to sustain and expand movements promoting energy efficiency within the community, while recognising and encouraging the active participation of organisations and individuals in ensuring electricity supply, using resources responsibly, and protecting the environment in a sustainable manner.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dang Hai Dung – Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation, Green Transformation and Industrial Promotion under the Ministry of Industry and Trade – stated that Viet Nam is entering a new development phase with high economic growth targets. However, the country also faces numerous challenges such as climate change, global supply chain disruptions, and energy security pressures due to geopolitical fluctuations.
“This is both a challenge and an opportunity for us to promote new and green technologies. Reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions not only helps protect the environment but also directly enhances the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises in international markets,” he emphasised.
Enhancing experiences to drive behavioural change
In addition to the launch ceremony, the experiential zone attracted many visitors with interactive energy-related activities. Visitors could generate electricity by cycling, play games about renewable energy, explore balcony solar power models suitable for urban settings, and learn about the potential of green hydrogen as a future energy source.
These activities were not only demonstrative but also helped participants understand renewable energy and efficient energy use in a vivid and accessible way, encouraging behavioural changes in daily life.
Thanh Cam, a student from the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, shared:
“Previously, I thought saving electricity just meant turning off lights when not in use. But after trying to generate electricity by cycling and seeing solar models, I realised that producing energy can be quite simple. These experiences made me more conscious about how I use electricity every day.”
This year’s campaign takes place amid continued volatility in the global energy market. Geopolitical conflicts and shifts in supply-demand balance have directly affected the supply of fuels such as coal, gas, and oil, posing challenges to energy security for many countries, including Viet Nam.
In this context, energy efficiency and conservation are identified as key solutions to reduce pressure on the power system, lower production costs, and enhance economic competitiveness.
Le Thi Thoa, CASE Viet Nam Project Director, shared:
“Through Earth Hour 2026, the CASE project aims to raise awareness and encourage practical actions for more efficient energy use in daily life. At the same time, gradually expanding the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power is a positive direction to ensure future energy supply. We believe that with small but persistent changes, individuals and communities can contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.”
Outreach effectiveness and real impact
Beyond Hanoi, Earth Hour 2026 was widely implemented across many localities nationwide, with the participation of authorities, businesses, and citizens.
According to data from the National Power System and Market Operation Company Limited (NSMO), after one hour of lights-off (from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM on March 28, 2026), the country saved 463,000 kWh of electricity – higher than in 2025 (448,000 kWh), equivalent to approximately VND 1.02 billion.
This result shows that the campaign is not merely symbolic but has gradually created positive changes in awareness and energy consumption behavior within the community.
With the message “Green Innovation – Green Future,” Earth Hour 2026 continues to emphasise the role of innovation in energy use, aiming toward green transition and sustainable development. With the support of initiatives like CASE, these efforts are contributing to advancing Viet Nam’s energy transition toward a greener, more efficient, and sustainable future.
For more details about the project, please visit: Clean, affordable and secure energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) | Internationale Klimaschutzinitiative (IKI)
