Hanoi goes dark for Earth Hour

Public lights in downtown Hanoi turned off for Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m. local time.

The initiative began in Australia in 2007 as a gesture by the World Wildlife Fund Australia against man-made carbon dioxide emissions linked to a warming planet.

Vietnam has participated in Earth Hour since 2009, representing the country’s commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions 8% by 2030 under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The lights around Turtle Tower, an iconic symbol of Hanoi in the middle of Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake, all out for an hour.

The Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple, another Hanoi landmark, in the dark, a stark contrast to its normal glitter of glowing neon.

People hang out with very few electric lights around Ly Thai To monument beside the Hoan Kiem pedestrian zone.

All lights at the Trang Tien Plaza shopping complex turned off for Earth Hour.

Hoan Kiem pedestrian zone, one of Hanoi’s most popular hangouts every weekend, with its electric lights off, looks mostly dark.

A downtown bookstore staff uses his mobile phone flight to help customers.

Without public light, a street artist needs a helping hand.

People walk on a dimly-lit street.