Unveiling the new stars

True to the reputation of the world-renowned culinary guide, the Michelin Guide Vietnam Ceremony 2024 created a buzz in local and international media for many days before the official list was revealed on the evening of June 27.

In its second year in Việt Nam, in addition to the list of restaurants in Hà Nội and HCM City selected and honoured, Michelin Guide for the first time elevated Đà Nẵng to the prestigious global culinary stage.

Three new restaurants achieved one Michelin star, including La Maison 1888 at InterContinental Danang Peninsula Resort, Akuna (HCM City) and The Royal Pavilion (HCM City)

At this year’s ceremony, seven restaurants were awarded one Michelin star (including two newcomers and one promoted from Michelin Selected), 58 establishments achieved Bib Gourmand (including 28 new entries and one upgrade from Michelin Selected), and 99 restaurants were listed as Michelin Selected. Among the new additions, 10 are from Hà Nội, 26 are from HCM City and 36 are from Đà Nẵng.

The most prestigious names awarded at the Michelin Guide Vietnam Ceremony 2024, three new restaurants achieved one Michelin star, La Maison 1888 at the InterContinental Danang Peninsula Resort; Akuna (HCM City) and The Royal Pavilion (HCM City).

Nén Danang became the first and only restaurant in Việt Nam to earn the Michelin Green Star

Nén Danang became the first and only restaurant in Việt Nam to be awarded a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainable gastronomy and efforts to promote the use of local ingredients.

Hibana by Koki in Capella Hanoi honoured with one Michelin star for the second consecutive year

The 2024 list in Hà Nội and HCM City featured familiar names from the Michelin Guide 2023, including Anan Sài Gòn, Gia Restaurant, Hibana By Koki and Tầm Vị.

This year’s awards also recognised three individuals with Michelin Guide Special Awards, Toàn Nguyễn from La Maison 1888, who won the Sommelier Award; Duy Nguyễn from Little Bear - a new Michelin Selected restaurant in HCM City - achieved the Young Chef Award; and Anh Nguyễn from Si Dining - a Michelin Selected restaurant in Đà Nẵng - received the Service Award for her exceptional service skills.

Đà Nẵng - From culinary heritage to global kitchen

In Đà Nẵng, 36 establishments were honoured, 16 restaurants in the Bib Gourmand list, 19 entries in Michelin Selected and notably, La Maison 1888 at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort received one Michelin star.

La Maison 1888, located at the resort recognised as the world's most luxurious by the World Travel Awards for four consecutive years, was the first restaurant in Việt Nam to collaborate with chef Pierre Gagnaire - one of the world’s top 10 chefs who owns multiple Michelin-starred restaurants.

La Maison 1888 is the only restaurant achieving one Michelin star in Đà Nẵng

For Đà Nẵng, becoming the third culinary destination of the Michelin Guide in Việt Nam highlights the appeal of renowned dishes. It is also an opportunity for the city to reinforce its status as a dynamic and attractive international destination.

“The emergence of destinations like Đà Nẵng associated with Michelin adds to the city's increasing allure. Choosing Đà Nẵng for evaluation and awarding stars is a wise and quality-driven decision by Michelin, as it is an emerging destination and a livable city,” said Hà Văn Siêu, Deputy Director of the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism.

Đà Nẵng is recognised for its modern urban landscape, civilised lifestyle and iconic tourist attractions, including the Golden Bridge (one of the 10 new wonders of the world), Mỹ Khê Beach (one of the six most beautiful beaches in the world), Sun World Ba Na Hills (Asia’s leading theme park) and large-scale events like the Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival.

With the presence of prestigious Michelin stars, Đà Nẵng is also becoming the “kitchen” for the most discerning global diners.

Considered a culinary paradise representing the essence of Central Vietnamese culture, Đà Nẵng attracts food enthusiasts and anonymous experts with its exceptional quality dishes and rich culinary heritage.

The city has upscale restaurants that meet Michelin's five stringent criteria, product quality, cooking techniques, flavour harmony, the personality of the chef in the cuisine and consistency over time and across the menu.

The city's traditional dishes, including bánh tráng cuốn thịt heo (pork rolls with rice paper), mì Quảng (Quảng Nam-style flat rice noodles), gỏi cá Nam Ô (Nam Ô fish salad) and bánh xèo (sizzling pancakes) have now been recognised on the global gourmet map.

Culinary artist Ánh Tuyết said: “Đà Nẵng is a place that offers both mountains and beaches and is rich in cuisine. The seafood from Đà Nẵng's coast is globally recognised as something few places can find. Michelin stars present a great opportunity for Đà Nẵng cuisine to "cross the ocean" and gain greater recognition from international diners.”

A culinary bridge bringing Việt Nam to the world

Nearly two years after the valuable "handshake" between Sun Group and the Michelin Guide, Vietnamese cuisine has gradually established its name and brand worldwide.

Not only do the honoured restaurants enhance their position and appeal, achieving new growth in business, but Vietnamese cuisine’s status is also elevated on numerous international culinary awards platforms.

In 2022, the World Culinary Awards, part of the World Travel Awards system, listed Việt Nam as “Asia’s Best Culinary Destination.” In 2023, Hà Nội, with its three Michelin-starred restaurants, was honoured as “Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination.”

La Maison 1888 serves high-end cuisine and offers an elite dining space and experience

Representative of La Maison 1888 restaurant, Seif Hamdy, General Director of InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort said: “Since its opening, La Maison 1888 has continually strived to deliver a perfect culinary experience to elite diners. We couldn’t be prouder, achieving a Michelin star affirms our resort as a premier destination for fine dining in Việt Nam.”

Bringing Việt Nam to the world and establishing a new position for Vietnamese cuisine and culinary tourism, Sun Group - the companion and destination partner in bringing Michelin to Việt Nam - has “built a culinary bridge connecting Việt Nam with the world,” as culinary artist Ánh Tuyết remarked.

Hà Văn Siêu added: “Sun Group is a strategically visionary corporation. When big names stand alongside renowned brands like Michelin, they complement each other and drive development."

Đặng Minh Trường, Chairman of the Director Board of Sun Group, said at the event: “Bringing Việt Nam to the world has been the goal and guiding principle throughout Sun Group’s development journey. We understand that this journey is long and challenging.

"But by partnering with the Michelin Guide, Sun Group is moving closer to its goal, gradually realising the great aspiration of bringing the essence of Vietnamese cuisine to the world.”

While many familiar names retain their distinctions, the Michelin Guide Vietnam Ceremony 2024 featured numerous new “dishes” from the three major cities.

There was controversy surrounding why Michelin Guide inspectors didn’t choose many beloved local restaurants. However, meeting Michelin’s stringent standards and being selected for evaluation through multiple rounds by anonymous inspectors is no easy feat.

Therefore, being recognised in the Michelin Guide Vietnam 2024 is not only a matter of luck and pride for each culinary establishment but also an honour for destinations, including Hà Nội, HCM City, Đà Nẵng and Việt Nam as a whole. Another year, Việt Nam affirms its position as an attractive world-class culinary destination.