But a dimmer living room and risk of eye-strain may be the least of our worries. In the rush to get us using greener, more energy-efficient light bulbs, authorities here have forgotten to engage in any public information campaign about their health risks.

A campaign for energy efficiency has been started in Ho Chi Minh City with the target of saving 10% of energy expenses for each household. The duration for the program is from June 1st to the end of November.

Under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai at Announcement number 343/TB-VPCP dated December 4th 2009 on building an energy saving advocacy program to every province, bringing the program to every ward, commune, block, making energy efficiency an emulation target, a standard in the cultural family evaluation, the Hanoi People’s Committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, organized the pilot campaign for the 2010 Energy Saving and Efficiency for Households in Hanoi, with the theme “Energy efficiency in every household is saving for you and for future generations”.

More than 1,000 members from the women’s associations in 10 inner districts in Hanoi partook in a ceremony at Quan Ngua Stadium on March 30 to celebrate the movement, ‘Promoting energy efficiency and conservation among Hanoi families in 2010’. The Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Danh Vinh, leaders from the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade and Hanoi People’s Committee, and representatives from the Hanoi Women’s Union attended the ceremony.