Hanoi named among top 2023 'color destinations'

Incense village Quang Phu Cau on the outskirts of Hanoi has been named among Pantone's 2023 "color destinations" by New York-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure.

"Ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations - called Tet in Vietnam - you'll find hundreds of bright-pink incense sticks fanned out like bouquets along the streets and courtyards," the magazine wrote.

Patone, a multinational corporation headquartered in New Jersey, U.S., is best known for its Pantone Color Matching System, a copyrighted color space commonly used in a variety of industries, mostly printing and the paint, plastic and textile manufacturing industries.

Travel + Leisure noted "the holiday's full name is Tet Nguyen Dan, which means “feast of the first morning.” At midnight on January 31, or the last day of the old year (giao thua), families burn the pink incense to invite deities and ancestors to gather. When the incense burning ends, everyone comes together to eat and wish each other a happy new year."

"The best time to visit and experience this cultural event is January, right before the Lunar New Year on February 1," it added.

According to Travel + Leisure, Pantone is setting their intentions for the year - one filled with strength and energy. The Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, which the company describes as powerful and empowering.

“Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration... [It] revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint,” the magazine qouted Pantone as saying.

The other destinations on the list are: Netherlands, Santorini (Greece), Iceland, Cape Town (South Africa), Mysore (India), Cusco (Peru), Ria Formosa Natural Park (Portugal), Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (Dubai), Cranberry Highway (Wisconsin), and Havana (Cuba).

In August, cable news channel CNN selected Hanoi as one of the 12 best places to go for fall, calling the capital a "bright spot".

"Asia tourism in general has been the slowest to bounce back (Japan, for instance). But Vietnam is the real bright spot right now," CNN quoted Scott Keyes, the founder of flight deals and travel advice site Scott's Cheap Flights, as saying.

In July, Hanoi was selected as one of the six best destinations to explore by bike by Booking.com, a global online travel website.

"The capital city of Hanoi is one of Asia’s most popular cycling destinations, known for its centuries-old architecture, lakes, parks and over 600 temples and pagodas, the city offers a network of fantastic cycling paths that allow travelers to explore amongst locals on bicycles and scooters," according to the website.

"Visitors can park up in the city’s colorful Old Quarter and refuel on delicious Vietnamese street food like beef noodle soup and shrimp cakes," it added.