A Woman’s World: 10 Females Shaking Up Vietnam’s F&B industry

For this year’s Vietnamese Women’s Day, I shortlisted 10 female movers and shakers in Vietnam’s F&B industry who have stepped up, made waves and broken glass ceilings.

By highlighting these women, I hope to inspire not only more women to step outside of their comfort zones and into these roles but also for men to recognise this disparity and be part of the change. Studies have shown that companies that have more women in leadership and power perform better across various facets including profitability, innovation and productivity.

So, this article goes out to all the strong women who have inspired me to be where I am today, the women in this article as well as those not. May we raise strong women, know them and be them. Happy Women’s Day #ChooseToChallenge

Campari Red Hands Vietnam’s first female winner - Loan Tran, Enigma Mansion

Credit: Campari

Loan Nguyen made history as the first-ever Campari Red Hands Vietnam female winner. Competing against 90 talented bartenders from across Vietnam, Loan took the crown after an intense final round at Mizuwari Bar in Ho Chi Minh City. Her winning cocktail, “Reflection,” from her “Dance in Red” menu, wowed the judges—Kaya Simon, Symphony Loo, Richie Fawcett, and food writer Jovel Chan (yours truly)—with its bold flavors and creative flair. The Grilled Onion Honey syrup paired with homemade Pistachio Bourbon, Passionfruit Vermouth, and, of course, Campari, made it a standout.

But it wasn’t just about the drink—Loan’s intricate 3D presentations and captivating storytelling sealed the deal. Next up, she’s heading to Milan to represent Vietnam at the Campari Red Hands Asia 2024 Competition. Keep an eye on her; she’s just getting started.

Diageo World Class Vietnam’s first female winner - Kim Uyen, Nê.Cocktail bar

Credit: Diageo

Ngo Kim Uyen has shaken up Vietnam’s bartending scene as the first-ever winner of Diageo World Class Vietnam 2024, recently representing her country at the prestigious international competition for the title of ‘World Class Global Bartender’ in Shanghai in October.

With seven years of experience, Kim now manages Ne Cocktail Bar in Hanoi, where she celebrates local culture through creative cocktails using local ingredients. Her passion goes beyond bartending—Kim loves connecting with customers and learning from them. She also draws on her background in research and development to infuse Vietnamese culture into her creations. Among her standout offerings are nine signature cocktails inspired by legendary Vietnamese women, crafted with Diageo’s top brands like Don Julio Tequila, Ketel One Vodka, and Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Kim's dedication earned her the Rising Star title at Diageo World Class Vietnam 2022 and the Champion title in 2024. Through her vibrant cocktails, she showcases the beauty of Vietnam to a global audience. In a male-dominated industry, Ngo Kim Uyen is a trailblazer, proving that women's creativity and passion can make a lasting impact on the international stage.

Star Wine List first-ever Vietnam ambassador - Trân Thi Dung Trâm

Credit: FPDB Studio

Trâm has made history as Vietnam’s first ambassador for the prestigious Star Wine List, often called the "Michelin Guide for wine lovers." This international list, evaluated by industry experts, celebrates the efforts of sommeliers, restaurant, and bar owners in elevating wine and culinary experiences. A passionate sommelier and wine educator, Trâm currently manages a restaurant in Hanoi and has been shaping Vietnam’s wine scene since 2016. With accolades like Best Sommelier in Vietnam 2024, WSET Level 3 in wine and sake, and ASI Certification 2, her expertise is well-recognized.

Born in Hue, a city known for its rich culinary heritage, Trâm credits her family and hometown for sparking her love of food and beverage. Her work with Star Wine List includes awarding Red Stars to top restaurants and wine bars, helping highlight Vietnam’s growing wine scene. As Trâm notes, "The wine scene has changed significantly in recent years, and Star Wine List’s arrival is a sign of Vietnam’s growing recognition in the F&B world.

Vietnam’s Golden F&B lady boss - Dao Chi Anh, Head of Marketing of Golden Gate Group

Credit: Dao Chi Anh

Dao Chi Anh is the powerhouse behind the marketing and brand strategies for Golden Gate Group, Vietnam's largest restaurant group. As Head of Marketing and Brand, she's the only person to hold this role over the past two years—a testament to her ability to manage the immense responsibility of overseeing more than 1,000 restaurants, launching new ones, and expanding the group's footprint through overseas franchises.

Chi Anh is no stranger to Vietnam’s F&B scene. With over a decade of experience, she previously founded The KAfe, Vietnam’s first urban fusion cafe, which became a huge hit, gaining popularity for its fresh, natural ingredients and casual all-day dining vibe. She led the brand to success, managing over 20 outlets while spearheading menu development, branding, and communications. Now, her expertise continues to shape Golden Gate Group’s rapid growth, further cementing her legacy in the country’s food and beverage industry.

Winner of Vino: Vietnam’s first international wine competition champion- Mary Vu, co-founder of MAD Wine Bar

Credit: Mary Vu

Mary Vu, a passionate wine lover and traveller, is the owner of MAD Wine Bar in Ho Chi Minh City. With a WSET Level 2 certification and currently pursuing Level 3, Mary brings her extensive wine knowledge to this vibrant, casual space. MAD Wine Bar offers a diverse, ever-changing selection of wines by the glass and bottle, carefully curated by Mary and complemented by the expertise of Danish chef-sommelier couple Camilla and Casper, who have long made their mark on Saigon’s food and drink scene.

Mary's background in hospitality includes over nine years as the manager of MAD House Restaurant, as well as prior operations background in some of Vietnam’s most well-loved establishments like Quan Ut Ut, adding to her deep understanding of the industry.

Joining her as part of her winning team at AMV, Vietnam’s first international wine competition, are Corentin Nevot, South East Asia Area Director of Castel Frères and Maxime Dubois of FERRANDI Paris.

Putting the power in 4P’s: Sanae Takasugi, Co-founder & Deputy CEO of Pizza 4P’s

Credit: Vietecetera

Sanae Takasugi is the co-founder of Pizza 4P’s, and she brings a unique blend of global experiences to the table. After graduating from Keio University in Japan, she broadened her horizons with studies in the UK and China. This mix of education and cultural know-how has helped her take the lead on some major initiatives at Pizza 4P’s.

She played a key role in crafting the brand’s business model and making its marketing pop through creative content and standout design—elements that have become the heart and soul of 4P's identity and impressive growth. Together with her co-founder Masuko, Sanae is all about building a company that makes a difference. She's passionate about turning education into something fun and engaging (edutainment!) to make learning easier for everyone. Plus, she’s working on a fresh performance framework for the Pizza 4P’s team that focuses on values like mindfulness and positive psychology.

The Mother of Godmother - Linh Dang, Founder of Godmother Bake & Brunch and co-founder of Hylo Group

A mother of three, founder of insta-famous Godmother Bake & Brunch and the co-founder and only female manager of HypeAsia, it’s hard to not include Linh Dang in our list of formidable females. Attributing her inspiration and interest to her decade abroad living in the UK and US with partner, Jonathan Kang, HypeAsia is home to innovative dining and nightlife concepts well-loved by both Vietnamese locals and foreigners alike. These include Octo Tapas Restobar, Roka Fella, Bam Bam and Commas Saigon, some of which have gone overseas includingThe Penthouse, The Breakfast Club as well as Commas Singapore.

I was lucky to also find out about upcoming projects in the pipeline and all I have to say is this lockdown isn’t looking too bad anymore and Vietnam residents have a lot to look forward to including two import franchise brands - Beauty In A Pot and Amdangtyphoon as well as the expansion of existing brands such as Godmother into new districts (D1, D2 and D7) as well as Hanoi.

Making a ‘Biang’ in Saigon’s dining scene: Mendy Hu

Credit: Bambino

Mendy Hu is a classically trained chef who’s been shaking things up in Saigon since arriving last year from her early pop-up days at Que Kareem. She’s teamed up with beloved food and drink spots like Bambino, Society Cafe—known for its owner, Culinary Frank—Mami Cocktails with its playful ‘Dirty Dumplings,’ and even Michelin-selected Okra. Now, she’s preparing for a permanent gig at Tinto by Momentum Living, the group behind The Brix, Yunka, and Clay.

Mendy has captured the hearts of Saigon foodies with her modern Chinese dishes and highly sought-after handmade 'Biang Biang' noodles, which sell out every time. It’s no wonder her pop-ups have been a hit—she’s cool, and fun, and her food is a blast. Word is she’s searching for her own restaurant, and who can blame her? With sold-out events and Saigon's love for modern Chinese cuisine, it’s a no-brainer!

Originally from Shanghai and having spent time in Los Angeles, Mendy honed her skills in Shanghai before studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and working under two-star Michelin Chef Pascal Barbot at L'Astrance. Now, through her pop-up series, Pop Muoi, she’s creating a Chinese Bistrot menu at Que Kareem and gearing up for a Vietnamese market and wild roots menu with The Ho Tieu group. Her cuisine reflects her diverse experiences, focusing on local ingredients and playful pairings.

From side lines to cider: Hannah Jefferys is Saigon’s first and only female craft brew founder

Before craft beers were even a thing in Vietnam, there was Saigon Cider, an award-winning organic craft cider founded by founder Hannah Jefferys, one of the first and the only females in the craft beer industry. On top of being the founder and cider maker at Saigon Cider, Hannah is also a creative, environmentalist and mother.

Hannah attributes her passion for cider to her early days growing up in Somerset, United Kingdom and never being more than 10 minutes from a cider farm. Her passion for food and beverage also stems from growing up in a family of foodies with most of her childhood memories centred around vegetable patches, kitchens, tables and apple trees in her garden.

After 10 years in sustainable architecture, she made a leap into the beverage industry and founded Saigon Cider in 2013 which incorporates Vietnam’s plethora of fruits and spices. Today, you can find fun and innovative flavours such as Apple and Ginger (Asia Beer Championship 2019) as well as Apple and Chilli available. Since it’s inception, Saigon Cider has also achieved 5 internationally renowned awards including a World Cider Award. Trust us, this one is a must if you’re serious about cider.

• Website: www.saigoncider.com / ordering link

A Latte To Be Proud Of: Tran Han, Vietnam’s First and Only Barista Champion

Credit: Sprudge

At just 30, Tran Han is a powerhouse in Vietnam's booming coffee industry. Since diving into specialty coffee in 2014, she’s worked at Republic, TG Grade, LaViet Coffee, and now Bosgaurus Coffee, which features a unique coffee bar that highlights the brewing process and boosts local interest in specialty coffee.

Tran's impressive accolades include being Vietnam’s National Barista Champion in 2016 and 2017 and the National Aromamaster Champion in 2018 and 2019. Her bottled Arabica Sữa Đá even made the top 8 at the 12th Annual Sprudgie Awards for Best New Product in 2020. Representing Vietnam at the World Barista Championship in Dublin, she showcased a blend of Vietnamese Pacamara and Honduran coffee, aiming to inspire local baristas to elevate Vietnam’s coffee scene.

Today, Tran serves as a judge at Vietnamese coffee competitions and trains her team at Bosgaurus Coffee. She’s also developing an online coffee academy to educate the public about specialty coffee.

• Website: bosgauruscoffee.com

Elevating Vietnamese Cuisine to New Heights: Sam Tran, Head Chef of Gia, Hanoi

Armed with more than 10 years of international work experience working with world-renowned restaurants such as Bawa Cafe and Sunda Dining (2-hatted restaurant and a contender on World’s 50 Best Discovery List), Sam now helms the coveted one-star MICHELIN restaurant, Gia, as Head Chef. In 2023, she was also crowned the first-ever ‘Michelin Young Chef’ in Vietnam.

At Gia, Chef Sam Tran borrows elements of fine dining cooking inspired from her earlier days to present elevated Vietnamese cuisine with each bite nostalgic of Vietnamese heritage and tradition. Using seasonal local ingredients and spices, Gia takes diners on a sensorial culinary experience through their palettes.

• Website: http://gia-hanoi.com/

Get to know other female F&B chefs or female-owned businesses in Vietnam or email me if you know someone who should be on the list.

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