Vietnam’s culinary landscape reached new heights as the renowned French food guide, Michelin, announced the prestigious awarding of Michelin stars to four exceptional restaurants in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). The ceremony, held on Tuesday night, saw Hanoi’s Hibana by Koki, Gia, and Tam Vi each receiving one Michelin star, while Anan Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City also secured a star.
Earlier this year, Anan Saigon, located in District 1, was recognized as one of the top 50 restaurants in Asia, making it a remarkable addition to Vietnam’s gastronomic scene. Gia, helmed by chef Sam Tran, was another venue acknowledged by the Michelin Guide during the ceremony. Hibana by Koki, renowned for its Japanese cuisine, is situated within a luxurious 5-star establishment in Hanoi. Tam Vi, a Vietnamese restaurant with an average bill of around VND200,000 (US$8.51) per person, completed the quartet of honored establishments.
Reflecting on the journey, Peter Cuong Franklin, the chef and founder of Anan Saigon, shared the restaurant’s early struggles. “We once went through six months without a single customer, but now everyone has accepted our food,” he said, reminiscing about the time when the restaurant first opened its doors six years ago.
In addition to the four restaurants that received the prestigious Michelin stars, the Michelin Guide also recognized a total of 103 restaurants in Hanoi and HCMC across various categories, including Michelin Selected, Michelin Guide Special Awards, and the Bib Gourmand.
The Michelin Selected group featured 70 local restaurants, with 32 in Hanoi and 38 in HCMC. Among the notable names were Cha Ca Anh Vu, Bun Cha Huong Lien, A Ban Mountain Dew, and Pho Ga Cham.
Meanwhile, the Bib Gourmand group highlighted 29 restaurants in Vietnam, with 13 in Hanoi and 16 in HCMC. Prominent mentions included 1946 Cua Bac, Bun Cha Ta, Cha Ca Thang Long, and Chao Ban.
Vietnam also celebrated three special awards bestowed by the Michelin Guide. Yu Yamamoto received the Sommelier Award, chef Nguyen Thi Nu of Vietnam House was honored with the Service Award, and chef Sam Tran of Gia was recognized with the Young Chef Award.
Within the Michelin rating system, one star signifies a “very good restaurant,” two stars indicate “excellent cooking that is worth a detour,” and three stars represent “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.”
With over 3,000 Michelin-starred restaurants across almost 40 countries, as stated on the Michelin Guide’s website, Vietnam’s newfound Michelin-starred establishments contribute to the country’s culinary pride and position it firmly on the global gourmet map.
