The area of But (Pen) Tower at Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake will be lit up green at 8pm on March 16 in response to Ireland’s “Global Greening” campaign, which aims to observe the Irish national holiday, St Patrick’s Day (March 17).

But (Pen) Tower at Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake will be lit up green this weekend in response to Ireland's "Global Greening" campaign. 

The initiative first began in Sydney, Australia, when the Sydney Opera House went green on March 17, 2010. Since then, hundreds of tourist attractions and prominent landmarks around the world have taken part in the event, such as the Empire State Building in New York, the City Hall in London, and the Great Wall in China.

This will be the third year that Hanoi has responded to Ireland’s “Global Greening”. Two years ago, the Vietnamese capital became the first city in Southeast Asia to participate in the campaign, with the “greening” of the Octagon House at Ly Thai To Park.

Hanoi first joins Ireland's "Global Greening" initiative in 2017 with the greening of Octagon House at Ly Thai To Park.

Together with the “Global Greening” campaign, the organising committee will hold “Ireland Day” on the same day, offering a cultural festival to introduce the image of Ireland and its people and culture to the Vietnamese public.

In addition, UCC TradSoc, a traditional music band from University College Cork, is expected to provide an animated atmosphere to the “Ireland Day” and “But Tower Greening” events by displaying Ireland’s most unique musical pieces and dances.