Michelin Guide to announce first Vietnamese restaurant selections

The move sees Michelin inspectors evaluate quality restaurants in the country’s two largest cities for the first time in the Guide's history, with their first selection of restaurants set to be announced in June, 2023.

Upon addressing the debut ceremony, Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said that the company noted the country’s fascinating food heritage and history, distinctive and unique flavours, iconic recipes, and well-known delicacies. Indeed, these factors had contributed to Vietnamese cuisine becoming increasingly popular around the world.

“Supported by locals where eating out has always been a true way a life, as well as by talented restaurateurs, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are two gourmet gems that deserve to be fully celebrated,” says the director.

“We can’t wait to present our first Vietnamese restaurant selection, which our famously anonymous inspectors have already started to realize in the field,” he added.

Accordingly, inspectors from 15 different countries arrived in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to select their first restaurants. The Michelin rating criteria is based on the quality of products, mastery of flavor, cooking techniques, the personality of the chef represented in the dining experience, a harmony of flavours, and consistency between inspectors’ visits.

The arrival of the Michelin Guide in Vietnam is being supported by the Sun Group conglomerate.

Speaking at the event, Dang Minh Truong, chairman of Sun Group, shared that since its creation back in 2007 and through its different activities, the conglomerate has always been dedicated to preserving and promoting the country’s character and beauty to the world.

“With the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide, the most trusted gastronomic ranking system in the world, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, we are delighted that the Vietnamese food scene as well as local culinary wonders will finally be celebrated among local and international foodies,” he stressed.

First established in 1888, Michelin was founded as a world-famous French tire company. In 1900, the company released the Michelin Guide. At that time, the handbook was simply a map featuring a list of hotels and Michelin tire change locations. From 1920, the company stopped giving out free books and added restaurant listings to this guide book. Then, Michelin recruited culinary inspectors in order to check on the quality of the restaurants. Since 1930, there have been lists of Michelin-starred restaurants.

The Michelin Guide has received a positive response and great appreciation from tourists and culinary experts globally, with being awarded a Michelin star widely considered to be an honour for every restaurant in the world.