5 up-and-coming gastronomic destinations to check out in Vietnam

Courtesy of Si Dining

Danang

For too long known for its local seafood joints and beaches, Danang is slowly but surely commanding the attention it deserves as a food and drink destination thanks to the likes of trailblazing chefs Olivier Corti (award-winning Le Comptoir), Chef Alessio (Si Dining), Chef Victor Savall (Savall Chocolate) amongst many others ones at the helm of well-loved hotel restaurant concepts like La Maison 1888 (Intercontinental Hotel Danang) and Osteria Al Mare (Hyatt Regency Danang).

Jostling for attention are new beachfront craft beer beer halls by the good guys at East West Brewing and Heart of Darkness who both arrived on the shores of Danang the past year. Joining them are swanky new cocktail bars like Makara - a Viet-Tiki bar - and chic Boho rooftop resto-bar - Gypsy - that will easily give ones in Bali a run for their money.

• Destination Guide: A Local Restauranteur’s Guide to Dining in Da Nang

• When to visit: February to May

• Don’t miss: Le Comptoir’s cheese and charcuterie deli and dinner at Si Dining

Photo courtesy of tok Hoi An

Hoi An

When you think of Hoi An dining, you probably think of bánh mì. Anthony Bourdain made Banh Mi Phuong famous when he visited in 2011, and pre-Covid, they were selling up to 4,000 sandwiches a day! But Hoi An is so much more than the delicious sandwiches and restaurants like Mua, Tok, and Nu Eatery serving up modern and clean Vietnamese dishes with organic veggies, meats, and fish straight from the morning markets, are giving visitors a reason to explore beyond the bánh mì.

And it’s not on its own: a cluster of cocktail bars like Mezcal Cocteleria, which showcases mezcals, tequilas (and more) in traditional and innovative ways, and hidden gem Len Co, where owner Phoenix makes his liquor - the secret behind some of the bar’s swanky signatures.

• More: Beyond Bánh Mì: A Local Restauranteur’s Guide to Hội An’s Dining Scene

• When to visit: February to April

• Don’t miss: Homecooked meals in the rice fields at Mua

Photo courtesy of NAGE Eatery Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc’s entry on this list comes as no surprise and is hardly under the radar as far as gastro go-to’s in Vietnam go. But with more new hotel openings and visitors to the island, there are more reasons to plan a trip to Phu Quoc, now that it’s home to award-winning Indian restaurant Pakka in the Salinda resort, Oku Omakase inside the Regent Phu Quoc and the quirky and playfully-decorated Pink Pearl designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley at the JW Marriott.

And while the island’s many luxe new hotel openings can be attributed to spearheading and shining the spotlight on Phu Quoc’s culinary scene, independent restaurants like Hiên - Charcoal Kitchen dishing out flame-kissed meats and seafood, Santorini-esque seafood spot Nage Eatery and Olivia’s Kitchen (handmade tapas with wine and highballs) as well as speakeasy bars like Bittersweet&Co. are all adding to the vibrancy (and tastiness) of the island.

• More: A foodie’s guide to Phu Quoc

• When to visit: December to March

• Don’t miss: Raw tiger prawns with tomato sauce and hot prawn oil at NAGE Eatery followed by a cocktail at Bittersweet&Co

Photo courtesy of SAM Dining

Dalat

Nestled in the picturesque highlands of Vietnam, Dalat has long been known for its cool climate, scenic landscapes, and coffee, and is now carving a niche for itself in the realm of fine dining. Home to some of the country’s freshest produce, a farm-to-table fine-dining restaurant serving French fare with visible nods to Vietnamese cuisine does not seem out of place in Dalat, and that’s what Sam Dining helmed by Chef Si Toan, does. Here, only one ingredient is imported while the others come straight from the source in Dalat.

So, for your next trip to Dalat, fuel up on coffee in the morning, or opt for a coffee farm experience by Son Pacarama, before heading for lunch at the cozy family-run Moon Dining for your comforting bowl of homemade pumpkin soup. If you’re feeling adventurous, visit Vietnam’s only vineyard for a tour and taste of Dalat Wine before ordering yourself a nightcap at Germination, a cool and sleek speakeasy bar. many speakeasy cocktail bars like Germination.

• When to visit: November to March

• Don’t miss: Coffee farm experience with Son Pacarama

Photo courtesy of Melia Nha Trang

Nha Trang

Each year, the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay organizes its ‘Culinary Sensation Week’ which invites renowned chefs from around Vietnam as well as the region (and beyond) to present a line-up that’s as attractive as the food itself. Here to join the island’s growing culinary scene with its Spanish flavors and flame-kissed tapas is the new Hispania by Melia Nha Trang helmed by Begoña Rodrigo and Marcos Morán (Gastronomic Director of the Hispania group and ex-head Chef of one-star Casa Gerardo in Asturias, Spain), located just down the coast from the ever-vibrant Sailing Club Nha Trang.

Thanks to its pristine sandy beach facing a stunning bay dotted with 19 islands and islets, Nha Trang is primed to be the next beach destination in Vietnam with activities aplenty from para-sailing, kitesurfing, jet skiing, scuba diving to mineral mudbaths and top-notch golf courses. Nha Trang is also home to VinWonders, a sprawling amusement park as well as Southeast Asia’s longest cable car ride. It’s only a matter of time before more holidaymakers set their eyes on Nha Trang as a destination. And, with that more hoteliers, restauranteurs, and chefs to follow.

• When to visit: January to August

Hungry for more? Check out my tried-and-tested guide to the best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

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