Over 500 people joined a bike ride held in Ho Chi Minh City at the weekend. The bike ride focused on raising awareness for the people of protecting the environment.

 

The “Let’s Ride for a Green Environment” bike ride was jointly organized by the Saigon Economic Times newswire and the Sports Center in District 7, and sponsored by the U.S. Consulate General's American Center and Vietnam Intel Corporation.

 

Amongst over 500 people, hundreds of participants including businesspeople, students, office workers and expats excitedly arrived as early as 6:30 in the morning to wait until the event officially kicked off at 8:00 am.

 

In her opening speech at the event, U.S. Consul General Rena Bitter pointed out that the bike ride was going forward with the aim to respond to World Environment Day, on June 5.

 

She said it is a great opportunity for people to reflect on how they can work together to protect their shared environment.

 

“Vietnam’s natural wonders are threatened by climate change. Within a few short decades, a one meter rise in sea-level could inundate nearly 40 percent of the Mekong Delta, and 20 percent of Ho Chi Minh City. The area where we stand today could be underwater by the time the next generation makes the Vietnamese hub its home,” she added.