Three new Vietnam restaurants receive Michelin stars

By Hoang Phong June 27, 2024 | 04:39 am PT

Two restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City and one in Da Nang received one Michelin star at a ceremony on Thursday night, raising the total number of Vietnam's Michelin-starred dining establishments to seven.

The three new entries are Akuna Restaurant of Le Méridien Saigon Hotel, The Royal Pavilion at the Reverie Saigon Hotel, and La Maison 1888 inside Da Nang's InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.

Four restaurants that maintained their one-star rating from last year are Hanoi's Hibana by Koki, Gia, and Tam Vi, as well as HCMC's Anan Saigon restaurant.

"It's a big honor for us to be awarded one Michelin star. Thank you to our team, Akuna," Chef Sam Aisbett of Akuna Restaurant said.

Chef Wong Fu Keung of The Royal Pavilion said he "was touched" to receive the Michelin honor. "One Michelin star proves the restaurant's efforts over the years have not been in vain."

Representatives of Vietnamese restaurants receiving their Michelin stars at a ceremony in HCMC on June 27, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Tran Quynh

In addition to the seven restaurants that received the Michelin Guide's star honor, a total of 40 new restaurants in Hanoi, HCMC, and Da Nang received Michelin Selected Awards, raising the total number of dining establishments honored in this category to 99 since last year.

At this year's awards ceremony, Nen Danang Restaurant received the Michelin Green Star title for its sustainable gastronomy.

Chef Duy Nguyen of Little Bear Restaurant was honored with the Young Chef Award, while Toan Nguyen from La Maison 1888 received the Sommelier Award, and Anh Nguyen from Si Dining bagged the Service Award.

representative of Nen Da Nang (C) receives Michelin Green Star title at the Michelin Guide awards ceremony on June 27 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Phong

A representative of Nen Da Nang (C) receives Michelin Green Star title at the Michelin Guide awards ceremony on June 27, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Phong

According to the Michelin Guide, its inspectors assess venues based on five criteria: the personality of the chef as presented in the cuisine, the harmony of flavors, the mastery of cooking techniques, the quality of products, and the consistency both over time and across the entire menu.

In the Michelin system, one star signifies a very good restaurant, two stars mean excellent cooking that is worth a detour, and three stars mean exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey. According to the Michelin Guide website, there are over 3,000 Michelin-starred restaurants in nearly 40 different countries.