The Michelin Guide: Elevating Ho Chi Minh City on the Global Culinary Map
Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam’s Cultural and Culinary Epicenter
As Vietnam’s economic engine and cultural melting pot, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) boasts a dynamic culinary scene where street-food stalls and fine-dining venues coexist. In the 2025 Michelin awards, Ho Chi Minh City claimed five coveted one-star restaurants—CieL, Coco Dining, Ănăn Saigon, Akuna, and Long Trieu—cementing its status as a world-class food destination. Beyond stars, over 100 establishments received the Michelin Selected accolade for offering exceptional flavors at various price points, highlighting the city’s diversity and innovation in cooking.
Michelin Selected: Showcasing Versatility and Creativity
In 2025, Ho Chi Minh City welcomed 6 new Michelin Selected venues, each reflecting the city’s culinary creativity:
– Bà Cô Lốc Cốc: A refined snail-specialty restaurant known for its diverse preparations—from ốc chà là nướng tiêu xanh to ốc muỗng nướng—served in an elegant setting that has charmed diners since earning its Michelin Selected status in 2023.
– Okra FoodBar: Chef Jamie Celaya’s intimate 20-seat, open-kitchen concept pairs innovative vegetable-forward dishes with creative cocktails, offering sustainable, globally inspired comfort food that has garnered rave reviews from both inspectors and patrons.
– The Albion by Kirk Westaway, Hoi An Sense, Nephele, and ST25 by KOTO also joined the Michelin Selected roster in 2025, each blending local ingredients with international techniques to deliver unique Vietnamese or fusion-style experiences. Collectively, these venues highlight TPHCM’s commitment to culinary experimentation and its ability to embrace new dining trends.
Michelin One Star: Five Exemplars of Excellence
In 2025, 5 Ho Chi Minh City restaurants earned one Michelin star for “high-quality cooking worth a stop.”
– Ănăn Saigon: Chef Peter Cuong Franklin elevated traditional street-food recipes to fine dining at his market-located venue. Ănăn Saigon’s “Cuisine Mới” reinvents classics like bánh mì and phở with modern techniques—think foie gras bao or lobster siu mai—while retaining authentic Vietnamese flavors.
– Akuna: Led by Australian Chef Sam Aisbett, Akuna’s tasting menus marry Vietnamese ingredients (e.g., sa sung broth echoing phở) and Australian specialties (e.g., crocodile tongue, cured egg yolk). The restaurant’s 1,200 hanging light rods evoke a shimmering stream, reflecting its name—“flowing water”—and underscoring its innovative, boundary-breaking approach.
– Long Trieu: Nestled in The Reverie Saigon on Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard, Long Trieu serves authentic Cantonese cuisine under veteran Hong Kong Chef Wong Fu Keung. The dim sum menu (lunchtime only), XO-sauced fried prawns, and hot-and-sour wonton soup pay homage to Canton’s culinary heritage, all within a jade-and-gold ornate dining room that feels like a museum of Cantonese gastronomy.
– CieL: Chef-Owner Viet Hong’s tasting-menu concept in Thảo Điền fuses French culinary artistry with Vietnamese spirit. Housed in an architecturally striking space framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and tropical greenery, CieL’s seasonal menus feature dishes like dry-aged lobster with mangosteen or wagyu beef with local herbs, delivering both visual drama and nuanced flavors .
– Coco Dining: Located in District 3, Chef Võ Thanh Vương’s contemporary cuisine seamlessly blends Vietnamese recipes with modern fermentation techniques. The chic dining room, complete with a whisky bar and private villa for events, offers a sophisticated yet warm atmosphere. Signature dishes such as toothfish with asparagus salad and potato amuse-bouche showcase the restaurant’s commitment to premium ingredients and creative execution.
Ho Chi Minh City: A Destination Worth Traveling For
From humble street-food stalls to world-class fine-dining establishments, Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant mosaic of flavors, cultures, and experiences. The 2025 Michelin Guide’s recognition of 181 venues—spanning one-star restaurants, Michelin Selected, and Bib Gourmand categories—reinforces the city’s status as Vietnam’s premier culinary, cultural, and tourism hub. Whether you’re craving authentic Cantonese dim sum at Long Trieu, innovative Vietnamese tasting menus at Ănăn Saigon, or a modern twist on snail dishes at Bà Cô Lốc Cốc, Ho Chi Minh City promises an unforgettable journey for every palate.
