Hoi An yesterday launched its new solar power public lighting system in the city's Hoai River Square.

Renewable lighting sources have been added to world heritage sites across the central region with funding from Asiana Airlines as part of an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable tourism. The system has been installed in Hue, Cham Islands and My Son Sanctuary in collaboration with the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA), Korean National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO office in Ha Noi.

"The sustainable tourism promotion has helped boost Quang Nam province's most visited sites by providing renewable energy," said vice chairman of the provincial People's Committee Tran Minh Ca. "The project, which launched last year, has also enhanced the connectivity of world heritages in the central region, including Hoi An Town, My Son Sanctuary, the Hue Monuments complex and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park."

Katherine Muller Marin, head of office and representative of UNESCO to Viet Nam, said the project was an example of the work that UNESCO was engaged in to promote world heritage values and sustainable development in the country. — VNS