A campaign to raise people’s awareness about energy efficiency and conservation has recently been implemented. The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee, the Vietnam Peasants’ Association Central Committee, and the Vietnam Women’s Union Central Committee have been distributing information promoting energy efficiency and conservation. The initiative has created a big change in people’s consciousness and propelled them to take concrete action. Initial positive results have been recorded thus far.

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.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Danh Vinh said with effective coordination among departments and branches at all levels and with constant effort from women, and the society as a whole, he believed the movement would be successful. He also noted that he expected to see energy efficiency and conservation actions would become good habits that would be practiced by the local community.

Survey results reflect that local families use about 35-40 percent of the national power. Each urban dweller spends around VND5-7 million on energy needs annually, which includes boiling water, cooking, using electrical fans, computers, air-conditioners, TVs, and traveling. If each citizen helped to conserve and use energy efficiently then families could save up to 10 percent on their energy each year.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Quy, who lives in Hanoi, said her family often keeps their fridge set on the lowest refrigeration level, uses only one to two bulbs, and boils water instead of using water heaters for bathing. As a result, she only spends VND30,000-40,000 on electrical bills each month.

“I have practiced using power efficiently for years and it has become one of my good habits. It could save me money and benefit the country, so why should I not do it?”

Ms. Nguyen Mai Thanh , who also lives in Ha Noi, said her family has used a solar water heater system for four years now. In the past, she paid VND230,000-250,000 in electrical bills for each month during the summer. With the solar power system, she only pays around 120,000-150,000 per month.

“I bought the system for VND4 million, now the system helps me save a significant amount of money. In addition, I could use the solar water heater system for the next 30-40 years,” she said.

According to the movement’s Steering Committee, to win recognition as an exemplary family that practices energy efficiency and conservation, the families need to register to completely participate in the movement. They also must properly respond to 10/10 questions concerning general knowledge about energy efficiency from a question list. Families must also actively participate in campaigning for energy efficiency and conservation, and currently use three out of five stipulated energy efficient products. These products include energy efficient lamps, special gas cookers, environmentally friendly toilet seats, air-conditioners with inverter technology, and solar water heater systems.

As scheduled, the movement’s closing ceremony will be held in the fourth quarter of this year. By that time, the Steering Committee will review the campaign, honor organizations and individuals for their outstanding performance in ‘Promoting energy efficiency and conservation among Hanoi families in 2010’ movement, and recommend them to the city’s management for rewards.

By H.Anh