Review: Aalto, another ubiquitous woodfired concept in Ho Chi Minh?
No, woodfire cuisine and cooking are not new in Vietnam but Executive Chef of the newly-opened Aalto by Hylo (ex-HypeAsia) Jimmy Garside, a native of Manchester, United Kingdom, is.
Review: Okra Foodbar, where vegetables give meat a run for its money
Your next date night sorted. Say hello to Okra Foodbar, a dimly-lit, sleek and sexy 15-seater hotspot with an open kitchen and chef counter helmed by Chef Jamie Celaya (ex-Chef de Cuisine at Park Hyatt Saigon and ex-Head Chef at Quan Ut Ut).
LUA - Taking all the food favourites you know and love and adding a twist to it
Tucked away in a quiet street is one of the most talked-about restaurants at the moment, LỬA. While it aims to be an unassuming casual establishment, its food and wine output are anything but.
A Food Critic's Guide to Phu Quoc
Beyond street vendors, there is a new category of young and hungry tastemakers paving the way for Phu Quoc’s culinary scene and establishing innovative dining concepts and speakeasy bars. Check them out on your next trip to the island.
Beyond Bánh Mì: A Local Restauranteur’s Guide to Hội An’s Dining Scene
Already a top destination, Travel & Leisure awarded Hội An “The World’s Best City” in 2019, so if you’re ready to discover or rediscover the jewel of Central Viet Nam, and go beyond the bánh mì, read on for one local’s view of some of the best food and beverage options that Hội An has to offer!
10 Work-Friendly Cafes with Free WiFi in Hanoi
Amidst the hustle and bustle in Hanoi, settling with a cup of coffee in a relaxing and cosy cafe can help provide much-needed respite and focus on a busy work day. With hundreds of coffee shops to choose from in Hanoi, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and confused. So, here is our list of 10 work-friendly cafes to get inspired no matter where you are in the city.
Brewing Up a Storm: Vietnam’s Craft Beer Industry and where to drink them in Ho Chi Minh City
In 2020, Vietnam placed number 9 on the list of the world’s largest beer consumers (first in Southeast Asia) with an estimated consumption of 3,845 million kilo litres per year accounting for 2.20% of the global market share.
From Sauce to Stardom: How Vietnamese fish sauce became a culinary star
Transforming everything it touches, this umami-rich fermented staple from Vietnam is a must-have in every Vietnamese household, street stall and nowadays, even fine dining restaurants around the world.
Going green: F&B players in Vietnam leading the way in sustainability
In response to recent government measures, a global consumer shift towards sustainable packaging, an increasing number of F&B retail players and restaurants in Vietnam are adopting more sustainable and eco-conscious efforts. Here’s a list of F&B players leading the way and making our industry greener by the day.
How Da Vittorio is giving Vietnam a taste of Michelin
After almost 2 years, the iconic three-Michelin starred Italian brand helmed by Executive Chef Matteo Fontana opens in Vietnam, marking its first foray into Southeast Asia.
Vietnam's snack culture, trends and insights
An interview about snack culture and trends with Simon Crowther, Associate Director and Head of Marketing at Mondelez Kinh Do.
Vietnam launches first circular F&B Accelerator program focused on reducing single-use plastics in the F&B industry
Schoolab, in conjunction with The Incubation Network and CL2B with funding supported by Prevent Waste Alliance and GIZ, launches ‘The SUP Challenge Program’ - an accelerator program to support and pilot local initiatives focused on reducing and eliminating single-use plastics (SUP) in Vietnam’s F&B industry.
VietHarvest launches in Vietnam to tackle food waste and hunger
On the 20th of June in Hanoi, Vietnam, Action on Poverty (AOP) and VietHarvest signed a partnership in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to tackle the problem of food waste and hunger in marginalised communities in Vietnam. Through the partnership and a sustainable social enterprise model, AOP will help VietHarvest set up operations in Vietnam.
Anan x Le Du x Kyo Bar Six Hands Dinner
A first-of-its-kind six hand dinner at Anan Saigon featuring not one but two award-winning chefs from Thailand - Chef Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn from the award-winning Le Du (#4 on Asia’s 50 Best) and Nusara (#10 on Asia’s 50 Best) as well as founder and pastry chef Dej Kewkacha from Kyo Bar.
How this wine distributor is getting Vietnam to sip more by dancing
This week, I chat with VIVA House of Wine’s Co-founder / CMO Edge Pamute about his playful and ingenious marketing strategy for VIVA House of Wine that involves secret speakeasy wine tasting events, courtyard disco parties and most recently, Vietnam’s International Fashion Week 2022.
Penfolds hosts a week-long immersive wine pop-up inviting wine lovers in Vietnam to “Venture Beyond”
If you’re looking for something exciting to do this June, why not check out famous Australian wine producer Penfolds’s immersive week-long (25th June - 1st July) space-themed pop-up which explores the unknown and invites wine lovers to “Venture Beyond”.
A Vietnamese Spirit Uncorked: A Deep Dive with Daniel Nguyen of Song Cai Distillery
To celebrate World Gin Day, I pay tribute to Song Cai Distillery, Vietnam’s first-ever gin founded by Daniel Nguyen in late 2018. This is not your typical ‘rags-to-riches’ story but rather one of grit, tenacity and a diehard daringness to create a first-of-its-kind Vietnamese spirit that bottles the spirit and quintessence of what it means to be Vietnamese.
Exploring Saigon’s Cafe Scene and Trends with Tri from @coffee.saigon
I deep dive with Tri from @coffee.saigon about all things cafe culture and trends in Ho Chi Minh City, gathered from his two years of combing through more than 100 cafes and interacting with over 65,000 cafe lovers and coffee aficionados in the city.
10 Wine bars in Ho Chi Minh City for a Sipping Good Time
From al fresco hangouts to fine wine havens and charming Italian wine bistros, there's even an underground cave wine bar inspired by the romantic blue grottos in Europe for the whimsy. Here's my list of 10 wine bars for a swirling good time in Ho Chi Minh City - take your pick.
How Quince Saigon still reigns supreme after four years
I put on my marketing lenses and dive into the pillars of success that underpin one of Saigon’s most noteworthy dining institutions - Quince Saigon.