HÀ NỘI — Restaurants in Hà Nội and HCM City that has been picked by the Michelin Guide will be revealed next month.

The disclosure will be made during an inaugural edition of the Michelin Guide Ceremony in the capital city of Hà Nội on June 6. Expected to be a celebration of Hà Nội and HCM City gastronomic scenes, the event will gather renowned chefs, restaurateurs, and food enthusiasts in attendance.

“We have been looking at Việt Nam’s gastronomic scene for quite a long time and we are delighted to finally announce the first ever restaurant selection of the Michelin Guide for Hà Nội and HCM City,” said International Director of the Michelin Guide, Gwendal Poullennec.

According to Poullennec, HCM City is not only the largest city of Việt Nam, but also a bustling and rapid growing one, whose gastronomic scene is not only vibrant, but also full of energy and opportunities.

“With no limitation to culinary origins, scale, and cuisine type, this city is not short from outstanding flavour and memorable dining experience,” he said.

“On the other hand, Hà Nội offers a very laid back, relaxing vibe, with small shops and restaurants found mostly in the Old Quarter of the city. Our inspectors have been delighted to discover many hidden gems, that present authentic cooking with expressive flavour.”

Kaffir lime leaf - Foie Gras – a starter creation in the menu “Taste the Moment” of T.U.N.G. dining, a fine-dining restaurant in Hà Nội that emphasises the use of fresh local ingredients in their fusion menu. — Photo courtesy of T.U.N.G. dining

The Michelin Guide debut in Việt Nam is supported by Sun Group, a conglomerate whose mission is to promote and preserve Vietnam’s unique beauty and culture, since its creation in 2007.

Chairman of Sun Group Đặng Minh Trường said: “The inaugural edition of the Michelin Guide Hanoi & HCM City marks a significant milestone for the Vietnamese culinary scene.

"Through this opportunity, we hope to recognise the dedication and hard work of the destination’s top chefs and restaurants, and to celebrate the diversity and complexity of Vietnamese cuisine.

“We believe that the Michelin Guide will inspire and drive innovation and excellence in the industry, and I am excited to see how it will shape the culinary landscape in Việt Nam in the years to come.”

He also added that with the first edition of the Michelin Guide in Việt Nam, it will promote international tourism and spread the love for the delicious local cuisine that both Hà Nội and HCM City offer.

French chef Pierre Gagnaire, who won three Michelin Stars, puts the final touches to a dish at La Maison 1888 in the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Đà Nẵng. — Photo courtesy of Sun Group

The Michelin Guide conveys its restaurant reviews through an extensive system of distinctions, the most famous of which are its globally renowned Michelin Stars awarded to the best culinary experiences within the Guide’s restaurant selection.

Alongside the coveted Star ratings, the selection will also include the popular Bib Gourmand category, a distinction awarded to restaurants that provide the best value-for-money meals.

All establishments are chosen by the anonymous inspectors of the Michelin Guide following multiple tests and according to the same five criteria used around the world: quality of the ingredients; mastery of cooking techniques; the harmony of the flavours; expression of the chef’s personality in the cuisine; and consistency, both over time and across the entire menu.

Location, décor, service and available facilities are not part of the selection criteria, even if they might be highlighted if of particular interest.

The full selection will be available exclusively in digital format on all the Michelin Guide's official platforms: website, mobile application, and social networks. — VNS