Hanoi has made a notable appearance in a global ranking of the 15 most colorful cities, securing the 8th position. This achievement places it above renowned destinations such as Singapore, Barcelona, and New York. The ranking was developed by JustCover, an Irish travel insurance provider, through a comprehensive analysis of image data from 78 cities around the world.
The researchers employed pixel-level color detection to assess how many distinct hues are present in each city. This method allowed them to calculate a “vibrancy score” out of 100, which serves as a quantitative measure of the visual dynamism of each location.
Singapore, for instance, came in 12th with a vibrancy score of 63.2. It was identified as having approximately 1.66 million unique colors. In contrast, Lisbon, Portugal, claimed the top spot with over 2.6 million unique colors and a perfect score of 100. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, followed closely in second place, while Porto, Portugal, took third.
Hanoi, often referred to as the “Paris of the East” by the British tabloid Daily Mail, is celebrated for its architectural blend of French colonial styles with distinctly Vietnamese elements. This unique fusion contributes to the city’s visually rich landscape.
A woman collecting incense sticks in a courtyard in Quang Phu Cau Village in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy
Hanoi’s vibrant character is evident in its colorful scenes, such as the bright pink incense sticks found in the Quang Phu Cau incense village. Another iconic feature is the striking red Huc Bridge that spans Hoan Kiem Lake, adding a vivid touch to the city’s skyline.
The city’s visual palette is further enhanced by yellow-painted French colonial buildings and lively streets like Hang Ma Street, where the colors come alive in everyday life.
Earlier this year, Hanoi was recognized among the world’s 50 most beautiful cities by U.S. travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler. This accolade highlights the Vietnamese capital’s enduring charm and deep cultural heritage, reinforcing its status as a visually captivating destination.
