Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s culinary capital, boasts a vibrant fine dining scene, with three Michelin-starred restaurants recognized in the 2024 Michelin Guide. From innovative Vietnamese street food to elegant Cantonese dishes and fusion cuisine, Anan Saigon, AKUNA, and Long Trieu (The Royal Pavilion) elevate the city’s gastronomic reputation. Dive into this list of Michelin Star restaurants, uncover their unique offerings, and get tips for an unforgettable dining experience in Ho Chi Minh City.

List of Michelin Star Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City’s culinary landscape shines with three one-Michelin-star restaurants, each offering distinct flavors and innovative dining experiences. As of the 2024 Michelin Guide, these establishments have earned their stars for exceptional quality and creativity, drawing food enthusiasts worldwide. In 2024, the city welcomed over 6 million visitors, many flocking to these culinary gems for a taste of Vietnam’s evolving food scene. Below is the list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, complete with their unique offerings.

1. Anan Saigon

• Address: 89 Ton That Dam, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
• Opening Hours: 5 PM–11:30 PM
• Price Range: 150,000–650,000 VND per dish, 1,600,000–2,400,000 VND per tasting menu
• Cuisine: Contemporary Vietnamese
• Founded by Chef Peter Cuong Franklin, Anan Saigon, the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, blends traditional Vietnamese street food with modern techniques. Located in the vibrant Ton That Dam wet market, it offers an authentic yet elevated experience. Signature dishes include Caviar Banh Nhung, a rice flour waffle with salmon roe and smoked salmon, and the iconic $100 Pho, crafted with Wagyu bone marrow. The restaurant’s tube house setting, paired with its upstairs Nhau Nhau cocktail bar, creates a lively yet intimate vibe. Anan Saigon was also ranked #40 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023, cementing its status as a culinary pioneer.

2. AKUNA

• Address: 9th Floor, Le Méridien Saigon, 3C Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
• Opening Hours: 6 PM–10 PM (closed Sunday and Monday)
• Price Range: 1,500,000–3,000,000 VND per tasting menu
• Cuisine: Modern Australian with Japanese and Vietnamese influences
• AKUNA, meaning “flowing water” in Australian Aboriginal language, is led by Chef Sam Aisbett, a two-time Michelin-starred chef. Its open kitchen, adorned with 1,200 light rods resembling a shimmering stream, offers a theatrical dining experience overlooking the Saigon River. The menu fuses Vietnamese ingredients with Modern Australian and Japanese techniques, featuring dishes like thinly sliced crocodile tongue with soy-cured egg yolk and Shima-aji fish sashimi. AKUNA’s elegant ambiance and innovative flavors make it a standout for high-end dining.

3. Long Trieu (The Royal Pavilion)

• Address: 4th Floor, The Reverie Saigon, 22-36 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
• Opening Hours: 11 AM–2 PM, 6 PM–10 PM (Saturday and Sunday open at 10 AM)
• Price Range: 200,000–800,000 VND per dish, 2,000,000 VND+ per tasting menu
• Cuisine: Cantonese
• Long Trieu, also known as The Royal Pavilion, brings luxurious Cantonese cuisine to Ho Chi Minh City. Chef Wong Fu Keung crafts dishes like fried prawns with XO sauce, premium dim sum, and stewed shark fin in coconut, presented with modern artistry in an opulent setting of red and gold tones and intricate woodwork. Promoted from Michelin Selected to one-star status in 2024, this restaurant elevates traditional Cantonese flavors with premium ingredients, making it a must-visit for fine dining enthusiasts.

These three restaurants showcase Ho Chi Minh City’s culinary diversity, blending local heritage with global innovation, ensuring a memorable dining experience.

Culinary Innovation at Ho Chi Minh City’s Michelin Stars

The Michelin-starred restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City stand out for their creative approaches to cuisine, redefining Vietnamese and international flavors. Anan Saigon, led by Chef Peter Cuong Franklin, transforms street food staples like pho and banh mi into fine dining masterpieces, using French techniques and local ingredients. Its $100 Banh Mi, with premium fillings, and Wagyu bone marrow pho exemplify this fusion, earning praise for balancing tradition with innovation.

AKUNA’s Chef Sam Aisbett brings a global perspective, merging Australian and Japanese influences with Vietnamese produce. Dishes like muscovy duck with red sauce jelly or soy-cured egg yolk showcase a bold, cross-cultural approach, with the open kitchen adding a performative element. Long Trieu, under Chef Wong Fu Keung, elevates Cantonese classics with meticulous techniques, offering dishes like honey-grilled ribs and Peking duck that blend tradition with contemporary flair.

These restaurants not only deliver exceptional flavors but also tell stories of Ho Chi Minh City’s evolving culinary identity, making them cultural gateways for diners. Their use of local markets, like Ton That Dam for Anan Saigon, ensures authenticity while pushing culinary boundaries, creating dishes that are both familiar and groundbreaking.

Tips for Visiting Michelin Star Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City

To fully enjoy Ho Chi Minh City’s Michelin-starred restaurants, plan strategically. Reservations are essential, especially for tasting menus at Anan Saigon and AKUNA, which can book up weeks in advance. Contact restaurants directly for the latest hours and pricing, as menus may change seasonally.

• Getting There: All three restaurants are in District 1, a 10-15 minute drive from landmarks like Ben Thanh Market. Taxis or Grab rides cost 50,000-100,000 VND, while motorbike rentals (150,000 VND daily) offer flexibility. Anan Saigon is walkable from the Notre-Dame Basilica, but AKUNA and Long Trieu, located in high-rise hotels, require transport.
• What to Bring: Dress smart-casual, as these venues maintain upscale ambiance. Bring cash (VND) for potential service fees, though cards are widely accepted. A camera captures the artfully plated dishes, especially at AKUNA’s chef’s counter. Inform staff of dietary restrictions, like shellfish allergies, when booking, as menus are intricate.
• Dining Tips: Budget 2-3 hours for tasting menus, which range from 6-10 courses. Arrive early to enjoy the ambiance, like Long Trieu’s chandeliers or AKUNA’s river views. Be cautious of potential inconsistencies; some diners have reported service issues or food safety concerns at AKUNA, so check recent reviews. Pair your meal with wine selections, particularly at AKUNA, where Aussie and international pairings enhance the experience. For a cultural twist, visit during Tet (January-February) when restaurants may offer special menus.

A Tubudd-guided food tour can streamline your experience, combining Michelin-starred dining with other District 1 culinary gems, ensuring seamless reservations and local insights.

Beyond Michelin Stars: Other Culinary Gems in District 1

While the Michelin-starred restaurants are highlights, District 1 offers other dining experiences to complement your visit. Budget 2-3 hours for a Michelin meal, leaving time for these nearby spots, all within 3-5 km:

• Nhau Nhau (Anan Saigon’s Bar): Upstairs from Anan, this cocktail bar serves inventive drinks like pho-inspired cocktails for 150,000-300,000 VND, perfect for post-dinner relaxation.
• CoCo Dining: A Michelin-starred venue in Thu Duc City, offering Vietnamese fine dining with a coastal-inspired tasting menu for 2,000,000 VND+.
• Ben Thanh Market: A 5-minute walk from Anan Saigon, this market offers street food like banh mi or pho for 30,000-70,000 VND, ideal for budget-friendly bites.
• Mountain Retreat: A rooftop restaurant with Vietnamese classics and city views, serving dishes like spring rolls for 100,000-200,000 VND.

Pair your Michelin experience with a stroll along Nguyen Hue Boulevard, near Long Trieu, for evening vibes or cultural events during Hue Festival. A Tubudd Local Buddy can blend these culinary stops with Ho Chi Minh City’s landmarks like the War Remnants Museum, creating a full-day adventure.

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