On Thursday, June 5, 2025, the Michelin Gala Hanoi 2025 was held in the luxurious surroundings of the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, an event that not only created the atmosphere of a celebration of high cuisine. It underscores Vietnam’s rapidly growing prestige on the gastronomic map of the world.
MICHELIN Hanoi 2025 Gala – Vietnam’s culinary awakening
Vietnamese catering stage is not only maturing, but flourishing with a force that no one ignores anymore. The MICHELIN Guide Hanoi | Ho Chi Minh City | Da Nang 2025 gala, held June 5 in the picturesque setting of Da Nang, confirmed one thing. Vietnam is becoming the new culinary center of Asia. An evening of excitement, emotion and culinary discovery showed how deep-rooted traditions can coexist with modernity, sustainable approaches and creative risks.
New stars on the culinary map
This year’s handout brought as many as nine restaurants with one MICHELIN star. There are both well-known classics and brand new places. Among those honored in Ho Chi Minh City was CieL Restaurant, which won a star for the first time thanks to its vision of cuisine based on seasonality and experimentation with fermentation. Coco Dining, also making its debut here, impressed with its bold reinterpretation of local flavors using modern culinary techniques.
In Hanoi, places such as Gia and Hibana by Koki deservedly retained a star. Da Nang, on the other hand, can still boast an iconic fine dining spot – La Maison 1888.
Green Star – kitchen with heart and conscience
One of the highlights of the evening was the awarding of the MICHELIN Green Star, an honor for its sustainable approach to cooking. It went to the Lamai Garden restaurant in Hanoi, run by chef Hieu Trung Tran. It’s a place where the “farm-to-table” philosophy takes on a particularly literal meaning. All because vegetables, herbs and even meat come from their own farm.
The menu changes seasonally and is a tribute to local diversity, but also a display of daring – dishes made from black pig or seaweed are not obvious choices, yet they conquer palates.
Bib Gourmand – simplicity that tastes best
But MICHELIN is not just about stars. As many as 63 restaurants were recognized in the Bib Gourmand category – which stands for great food at affordable prices. This confirms that Vietnam’s best flavors are often born not in luxury kitchens, but on the street or in family-run pubs.
In Hanoi, Mậu Dịch Số 37, offering fish dishes and spring rolls in a traditional, somewhat retro decor, caught our attention. Phở Bò Lâm delighted with beef heel muscle soup – a simple dish, but with a depth of flavor that is impossible to forget. In Da Nang, the classics of local cuisine – Bánh Xèo 76 or Bún Bò Huế Bà Thương, which have been serving dishes with authentic soul for generations – have earned well-deserved attention.
People behind the plates – special awards
Special awards also showed that gastronomy is not just about taste, but about people. The Young Chef of the Year, Viet Hong Le of CieL, is an example of a generation that is not afraid to experiment. At the same time, he respectfully cherishes Vietnamese roots and traditions.
The award for Best Service went to Nha Huynh of Mặn Mòi, a waitress who turns a meal into an unforgettable experience with her cordiality and attentiveness to guests’ needs.
Michelin Gala Hanoi 2025 – a taste that stays for a long time
This year’s Michalin Hanoi 2025 gala proved that Vietnamese cuisine is not just pho and bánh mì. It’s a world of intense flavors, local ingredients, but also a world of creativity that is increasingly bold in its use of global techniques. Vietnam does not try to imitate anyone – it goes its own way, full of respect for tradition and boldness in innovation.
The MICHELIN Hanoi 2025 Gala leaves a guide to more than just restaurants. It’s a map of emotions, stories, flavors and people who make cuisine an art. And for travelers and foodies, it sends a clear message. That’s why Vietnam can no longer be left out of your culinary plans.
Source: michelin.com
