MICHELIN Guide Vietnam: Seven restaurants earn one star and Danang makes a debut

Seven restaurants have been awarded one Michelin star by MICHELIN Guide Vietnam, as announced on June 27 at the awards ceremony held in the Intercontinental Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

They include reigning stars from 2023, Anan Saigon and Gia Hanoi, Tam Vi, Hibana by Koki, as well as newly-minted Akuna helmed by Chef Sam Aisbett at the Le Meridien Hotel, crowd favourite Long Trieu Cantonese restaurant at the Reverie Hotel and La Maison 1888 - Danang’s only one-star. This brings the total number of Michelin-starred restaurants (one-star) in Vietnam to seven (two in Ho Chi Minh City, three in Hanoi, and one in Danang).

Da Nang — A Rising Culinary Star

Newly-minted Rang in Danang by Chef Sonu Bisht bags a win at this year’s MICHELIN Guide (Photo credit: Rang)

Da Nang's inclusion in this year’s MICHELIN Guide is not unexpected, considering its rapid economic growth and thriving dining landscape. With increasing consumer spending power and effective tourism efforts, its restaurants now attract both local food enthusiasts and international visitors, akin to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

In this year's MICHELIN Guide Vietnam, Da Nang makes its debut with 16 new entries to the MICHELIN Guide’s Bib Gourmand list (58 in Vietnam in total) and 1 one-star restaurant, reflecting the city's burgeoning culinary scene. Highlights among the new entries include the newly-opened Rang, celebrated for innovative Indian cuisine by Chef Sonu Bisht and Mỳ Quảng Sứa Hồng Vân, a street food hotspot famous for its flavorful mì quảng with shrimp broth and a variety of toppings like quail egg and pork.

Danang’s Si Dining bags two wins

Anh Nguyen from Si Dining bags this year’s Michelin Guide Service Award. She poses next to Chef Alessio Rasom, Chef and Founder of newly-minted Michelin Selected Si Dining (Photo credit: Alessio)

Also making a debut on the coveted gourmet list are Le Comptoir and Si Dining from Danang who join 108 other restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Danang in the MICHELIN Select category. Si Dining’s restaurant manager Anh Nguyen bagged an additional award by the Michelin Guide - the ‘Service Award’, which recognizes and promotes exceptional professionals who significantly enhance the customer experience.

This year’s awardee, Anh Nguyen from Si Dining graduated with a degree in interpreting and began her career in the industry while still studying part-time. Known for her warmth, energy, and hospitality, she has built a strong rapport with patrons. Anh possesses deep knowledge of the restaurant's history and menu, offering valuable recommendations to diners.

Chef Nhat Duy from Michelin-Select Little Bear claims ‘Young Chef’ award

Chef Nhat Duy from Little Bear

Opening its doors in 2023, Little Bear has proved to be anything but little. Handing over the ‘Young Chef’ award to Chef Nhat Duy is Chef Sam Tran from Gia Hanoi. Coincidentally, both restaurants are co-founded by operations maven Long Tran.

The MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award honours a promising young chef whose exceptional talent has caught the eye of inspectors and this year’s well-deserved award goes to Chef Duy, who is known for his passion and professionalism, leading a youthful and dedicated kitchen team with his calm and cheerful demeanour. Little Bear's cuisine skillfully combines traditional Vietnamese flavors with modern culinary techniques and ingredients. Chef Duy's dishes often draw from his childhood memories, presenting Vietnamese-inspired cuisine in a contemporary fashion.

La Maison 1888’s Toan Nguyen claims the guide’s Sommelier award

Sommelier Toan Nguyen from La Maison 1888 in Da Nang bags this year’s ‘Sommelier Award’. (Photo credit: InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort)

The MICHELIN Guide Sommelier Award celebrates the expertise, knowledge, and dedication of outstanding sommeliers within the hospitality industry. This year's award recognizes Toan Nguyen of newly-minted one-star La Maison 1888. Toan brings six years of experience in the hotel industry and pursued his passion for wine by completing a wine course in Hanoi. He transitioned to Da Nang in May 2023 to serve as the restaurant's sommelier.

Summer Le of Nen Light Danang wins first-ever Michelin Green Star

Summer Le of Nen Light

Nén Danang, a MICHELIN Selected restaurant, has earned Vietnam's first MICHELIN Green Star for its commitment to both delicious food and sustainability. Since opening in 2017, Nén Danang has led the way in sustainable dining by using mostly local ingredients grown nearby.

The restaurant regularly shares updates about its farm on social media, encouraging everyone to support a greener future. It also works with local schools to teach younger generations about sustainability, spreading the message of eco-friendly practices beyond its dining tables.

The Michelin Guide Vietnam 2024 at a glance

One-star awardees at this year’s Michelin Guide Vietnam (Photo credit: Michelin Guide)

• 7 one-MICHELIN Stars (2 new, 1 promoted from MICHELIN Selected)

• 1 MICHELIN Green Star (new)

• 58 Bib Gourmand (28 new, 1 moved from MICHELIN Selected)

• 99 MICHELIN Selected (40 new)

Impact and Future Prospects

The MICHELIN Guide's recognition brings a surge of excitement and curiosity among food enthusiasts, both locally and internationally. For the newly starred restaurants in Da Nang, an increase in tourist diners and curious locals is expected. However, it's worth noting that the local dining scene may not undergo a dramatic transformation and also, local sentiment towards international awards has historically been lukewarm, with many residents showing a preference for their tried-and-true local favourites over Michelin-starred establishments.

For this year’s full list, visit the MICHELIN Guide’s official website

Featured Articles

Follow me on Instagram