Chefs from restaurants receive awards at 2024 MICHELIN Guide award ceremony for Hà Nội, HCM City, and Đà Nẵng in HCM City on Thursday. -- Photo Courtesy of  Michelin Guide

HCM CITY – Việt Nam welcomed three additional restaurants recognised by the Michelin Guide, with one from Đà Nẵng and two in HCM City, bringing the total number of Michelin-starred restaurants to seven.

The new list was unveiled at the 2024 Michelin Guide award ceremony for Hà Nội, HCM City, and Đà Nẵng in HCM City on Thursday.

Most of the one Michelin Star restaurants from the previous selection – Gia, Hibana by Koki, Tầm Vị, and Ănăn Saigon – retained their distinctions, while the 2024 one Michelin Star selections introduced two newcomers and featured one promotion.

The two new restaurants awarded one Michelin Star are Akuna in HCM City, offering creative European dishes with Vietnamese influences and optional wine pairings, and La Maison 1888 from Đà Nẵng, serving a five or seven-course set menu featuring premium ingredients from Việt Nam, France, and Japan. 

The Royal Pavilion in HCM City was the only restaurant promoted from the Michelin Selected category to receive one Michelin Star.

During the ceremony, the organisers also announced the new Michelin Green Star sustainability distinction, the Bib Gourmand category, and special awards for Young Chef, Sommelier, and Service, with the Michelin Green Star being introduced for the first time this year.

In addition to the seven one-star restaurants, there are 58 Bib Gourmand establishments with 28 new entries and one move from the Michelin Selected category, along with 99 new Michelin Selected entries.

The Michelin Green Star recognises establishments at the forefront of the industry for their sustainable practices and dining experiences that combine culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments. 

Nén Danang Vietnam became the first restaurant to earn the Michelin Green Star, marking the first time Đà Nẵng has been included in the list.

According to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, Đà Nẵng, as a new city in the second edition of the Michelin Guide in Vietnam, has enriched the guide's selection with its unique local eateries and delicacies, representing central Vietnamese cuisine influenced by French, Chinese, and other Southeast Asian cultures.

“In fact, Việt Nam’s three cities – Hà Nội, HCM City, and Đà Nẵng - each have their own characteristics. The country’s culinary scene sees vitality, passion, and creativity that constantly surprises the market. Not to mention that renowned chefs are increasingly opening restaurants in Việt Nam, coupled with a new generation of Vietnamese chefs emerging with a growing customer base. Therefore, Vietnam is indeed becoming a more interesting destination on the world’s food map, to attentively keep an eye on,” said Gwendal Poullennec.

In addition to recognising quality restaurants, the Michelin Guide aims to highlight talented individuals who enhance the gastronomic dining experience, acknowledging the diversity of job roles and skills within the restaurant industry. This year's awards included the Young Chef Award presented to Chef Duy Nguyễn from Little Bear in HCM City, the Guide Sommelier Award given to Toan Nguyen from La Maison 1888 in Đà Nẵng, and the Service Award presented to Anh Nguyễn from Si Dining in Đà Nẵng. – VNS