Michelin-star Vietnamese restaurants have been awarded for their dedication to crafting extraordinary dining experiences. Five fundamental factors are taken into account: superior ingredients, a seamless fusion of flavors, expert culinary skills, the chef’s unique style as seen in their dishes, and, most importantly, the ability to maintain consistency in quality over time.

At the Michelin Guide 2024 launch event held in Ho Chi Minh City, seven restaurants in Vietnam were awarded one Michelin star. This includes four restaurants that received their first star last year: Gia, Hibana By Koki, Tầm Vị, and Ănăn Saigon, and three new restaurants: Akuna (Ho Chi Minh City), La Maison 1888 (Da Nang), and The Royal Pavilion (Ho Chi Minh City). The Royal Pavilion was promoted from Michelin Selected last year.

The three cities with Michelin-starred restaurants—Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang—each offer their unique flavors. Vietnam’s culinary culture reflects a rich energy, passion, and ongoing creativity.

1. Ănăn Saigon

Address: 89 Ton That Dam, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Ănăn Saigon is the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City. Opened in April 2017, this Michelin restaurant in Saigon is the brainchild of Peter Cuong Franklin, who serves as both the owner and head chef.

One interesting feature of this Michelin-starred restaurant in Vietnam is its location right next to the old market on Tôn Thất Đạm Street. If you’re not paying attention, you might easily miss this Michelin restaurant.

However, this is exactly what founder Peter Cuong Franklin intended. Nestled quietly within the traditional market, the simple atmosphere and familiar ingredients make it easier for diners to connect with their meals.

Anyone who has dined here will be impressed by the creative dishes crafted by the talented chef. Combining knowledge of Southeast Asian cuisine with modern cooking techniques, Ănăn Saigon provides an experience that ranges from surprising to overwhelming, culminating in a feast that is both visually and gastronomically impressive.

When visiting this Michelin restaurant in Vietnam, you must try the Caviar Bánh Nhúng. Inspired by the BANH KEP on the streets of Saigon, this dish also features a French touch with classic tart. Still, it remains distinctly Vietnamese with crispy star-shaped sweet cakes topped with caviar, smoked salmon, and rich cream.

Additionally, the restaurant offers familiar Vietnamese dishes such as rolls, salads, pho, and banh mi, all presented with the refined elegance of fine dining.

For a “familiar yet unique” experience, try a bowl of pho or bánh mì priced over $100. These dishes use premium ingredients but still retain the essence of these simple, traditional meals.

2. Gia Restaurant

Address: 61 Van Mieu Street, Dong Da, Hanoi

Located on Văn Miếu Street, Gia Restaurant is built on the foundation of a hundred-year-old villa. At first glance, it appears to be an old house with strong architectural influences from Hanoi’s past decades. Recently, Gia Restaurant has earned the honor of being one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in Hanoi.

The space at this Michelin-starred restaurant in Vietnam features two floors and a skylight that lets in natural light. The uneven stairs with a 75-degree incline, along with the carved details on the walls, and the lotus-inspired paintings and patterns from Văn Miếu, all create a familiar and welcoming atmosphere.

True to its Michelin status, Gia Restaurant impresses with its poetic dish names such as “Walking Through the Forest,” “Diving into the Ocean,” and “Exploring the Land.” These names stir curiosity and encourage diners to delve into the deeper meanings behind each dish.

The menu at Gia is flexible. Michelin chef Sam Trần prefers a “seasonal” approach, changing the menu every three months. This keeps the dining experience exciting and fresh, promising surprises even for returning guests.

At Gia, even simple dishes become extraordinary. The chef’s limitless creativity transforms familiar street food like bún riêu, eel soup, and chicken noodle soup into unforgettable culinary experiences that leave a lasting impression.

3. Hibana by Koki

Address: Basement 1&2, Capella Hanoi, 11 Le Phung Hieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Dedicated to bringing Japanese culture and cuisine closer to Vietnam, Hibana by Koki has successfully established itself as one of the Michelin-starred restaurants in the country and is the only name on the list representing Japanese cuisine.

Under the direction of Chef Yamaguchi, Hibana by Koki is a favorite spot for those who want to explore and enjoy the culinary arts of Japan. The dishes at this Michelin restaurant authentically reflect the philosophy of Japanese cuisine: flavor, respect for ingredients, and the art of Japanese hospitality.

If you love the distinctive Teppanyaki style of Japanese cooking, you are sure to have an exceptional dining experience at Hibana by Koki. Each dish is precisely prepared based on local philosophy, highlighting the fresh flavors of the ingredients while ensuring a luxurious fine dining experience.

Throughout the cooking process, the chef will share inspiring stories and guide diners on how to enjoy each dish fully and appreciate the flavors.

All ingredients used at Hibana by Koki are carefully selected by the Michelin-starred chef. At this Michelin restaurant, guests can savor the freshest flavors of high-quality ingredients such as abalone, spiny lobster, sea urchin, Yaeyama Kyori beef, and Hokkaido hairy crab, imported directly from Japan twice a week.

4. Tam Vi

Address: 4B Yen The Street, Hanoi

Inspired by the Đông Kinh era, Tầm Vị symbolizes the simple charm of northern Vietnamese countryside, creating a familiar and welcoming atmosphere for all who visit. The details, such as the furniture, dishes, and utensils, evoke the old days of “our grandparents” with added touches of Chinese-style decor, artistic wooden calligraphy, handwritten signs, vintage photographs, and old telephones.

Among the four Michelin-starred restaurants mentioned, Tầm Vị is particularly loved by those who appreciate Vietnamese cuisine. While the dishes are familiar, the chef’s skilled hands, boundless creativity, and high-quality ingredients elevate these traditional, humble dishes into a luxurious fine dining experience.

Although a Michelin-starred restaurant, Tầm Vị’s menu remains unpretentious. Dishes like braised fish, crab soup with water spinach, fried tofu with scallions, and snail cake are transformed into something even more delightful by the chef’s expert touch.

5. Akuna – Top crocodile dish

Address: Level 9, Le Méridien Saigon, 3C Ton Duc Thang, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Akuna offers a blend of Modern Australian cuisine with Vietnamese ingredients. Located on the 9th floor of Le Méridien Saigon, Akuna features an elegant setting ideal for local and international business meetings. With the culinary philosophy of Sam Aisbett, a two-time Michelin-starred Australian chef, each dish reflects his expertise gained from working in four different countries and his skill in flavor combinations.

At Akuna, guests can enjoy dishes such as shima-aji sashimi, Hanoi duck with red jelly, and especially the scallop bánh cuốn with Australian Wagyu beef. A standout dish is the sliced crocodile tongue, prepared using the tongue, tail, and fat of Vietnamese crocodiles, offered in two versions: with Japanese white radish and red daikon, or with Japanese rice porridge and Japanese-style pickled egg yolk. The dishes are paired with premium wines selected by expert Huyền Hà, including Fortified and Dessert wines.

Akuna also features two private dining rooms with exclusive service and menus, perfect for business negotiations or client appreciation. The restaurant is open from 6 PM to 10 PM, Tuesday to Saturday, with a tasting menu priced at 3.9 million VND.

6. La Maison 1888 – Fusion culinary

Address: InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Sơn Trà Peninsula, Tho Quang, Son Tra, Da Nang, Viet Nam

La Maison 1888 stands out not only for its luxurious architecture but also for its rich French cuisine. The restaurant is uniquely partnered with two Michelin 3-star chefs, Michel Roux and Pierre Gagnaire, who are among the top chefs in the world. This makes La Maison 1888 a sought-after destination for those who appreciate the art of fusion cuisine, which blends different culinary traditions.

The menu at La Maison 1888 changes with the seasons, ensuring a fresh experience each time you visit and featuring locally sourced ingredients. Located by the seaside, the restaurant offers a variety of fresh seafood. Under the expert touch of Pierre Gagnaire, ordinary seafood dishes like grilled scallops and Vietnamese boiled snails are transformed into culinary masterpieces, such as Hokkaido-style grilled scallops and Vietnamese snails wrapped in Italian Cannelloni.

Additionally, La Maison 1888 is renowned for its exceptional wine cellar, which boasts a collection of prestigious wines sought after by connoisseurs worldwide, including Côte-Rôtie, La Coulée de Serrant, and Meursault Coche Dury.

7. Long Trieu restaurant

Address: Times Square Tower 22-36 Nguyen Hue, District 1, Ho Chi Minh

Long Trieu offers a high-end dining experience with its unique interior design, featuring a Swarovski crystal dragon at the entrance and luxurious furnishings by the renowned Italian brand Provasi. The elegant decor in gold and red tones, along with intricate Chinese wood carvings, creates an ideal setting for upscale dining in Saigon.

Cantonese cuisine at Long Trieu balances natural elements and health, with light dishes for hot weather and rich flavors for colder seasons. The restaurant prioritizes fresh, seasonal ingredients to ensure each dish maintains top quality. Popular dishes include crispy roast Peking chicken, crab claws with fish roe, exquisite bird’s nest soup, shark fin with crab meat in superior broth, garlic-fried sea prawns with fermented black beans, shark fin and fish maw braised with coconut, traditional Chinese lotus leaf fried rice, Yunnan-style smoked meat stir-fried with greens and pigeon, and molten lava dim sum.

The Michelin Green Star awards restaurants that lead in sustainable dining. It highlights those committed to positive values and inspiration from top restaurants and also honors the dedicated chef with a constant creative spirit to give their customer the best experience.