The growing appeal of Vietnamese cuisine around the world has trained the spotlight on the eateries that serve it. Here are five Vietnamese restaurants that have recently captured international attention.
Anan Saigon
Located in a 6-storey house at an old market on Ton That Dam street that hosts many apartments built in late 19th century, Anan Saigon is one of four Vietnamese restaurants awarded a one-star rating by French food guide Michelin last June.
The restaurant, not far from the popular Nguyen Hue walking street, has been serving street food-inspired dishes created by its owner and chef Peter Cuong Franklin since 2017.
It has become a familiar place for locals, business travellers and foreign tourists.
The restaurant's popularity received a boost after chef Franklin created the $100 banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) that has French foie gras, truffle, sliced cucumbers, cilantro and mint; and is served with a side of fried sweet potatoes and caviar.
Another must-try dish of the restaurant is banh xeo taco, which takes a central Vietnamese region-style banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake) and folds into the shape of a Mexican taco with shrimp and pork, Hanoi-style grilled catfish or beef stew as its filling.
Prices start from VND185,000 ($7.93).
The restaurant’s address is: 89 Ton That Dam street, District 1, HCMC.
Hibana by Koki
Another Michelin star recipient last June was Hibana by Koki, which put the restaurant on the global tourism map.
Last month, CNN named Hibana by Koki as one of 20 best eateries in the world.
Located inside the Capella Hotel on Le Phung Hieu street in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, the restaurant offers secluded dining spaces including four private dining rooms that can accommodate up to eight guests and five others that can host 16.
The restaurant specializes in the art of Teppanyaki, a style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle to cook.
Due to limited space, guests are required to make advance reservations and the cost of a meal ranges from VND5.5 million to VND8.5 million (about $235 to $360).
Hibana by Koki offers an array of signature dishes, including the Yaeyama Kyori beef soup, spiny lobster (pictured) and crispy roast beef.
The restaurant is located at Capella Hotel, 11 Le Phung Hieu street, Hanoi.
La Maison 1888
La Maison 1888, part of the InterContinental Sun Peninsula Resort in Da Nang, was recently honored as "World's Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant" at the annual World Culinary Awards.
Nestled on a hill surrounded by green trees, the restaurant overlooks the Son Tra Peninsula which acts as a natural shield for the central city, known for its long, sandy beaches.
It is Vietnam's first restaurant to feature a Michelin-starred chef: Pierre Gagnaire.
Its setting resembles the vast dining room of a villa or mansion that would have been occupied by a noble French family overseeing a sprawling estate during the colonial period.
The restaurant serves foreign specialties like wagyu beef and pate-croute with a touch of Vietnamese flavor created by using local Asian ingredients.
A meal at La Maison 1888 costs around VND4 million ($168) per person.
The restaurant’s address is: InterContinental Sun Peninsula Resort, Da Nang city.
Kabin Restaurant
Located on the second floor of the Renaissance Riverside Hotel, the Kabin Restaurant was voted as the best restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City by readers of U.S. travel site Tripadvisor.
It had already been known as one of the best Cantonese restaurants in the southern metropolis with a long standing tradition of serving perfectly prepared Cantonese dishes, from signature dim sums to premium seafood woks.
Some of the popular dishes on its menu include steamed fresh prawn dumpling, deep fried prawns with salty egg yolk and Peking duck with prices starting at VND250,000 ($10.47).
The hotel is located at 25 Ton Duc Thang street, District 1, HCMC.
Shri Restaurant & Lounge
Meanwhile, U.K. travel website Culture Trip has selected Shri Restaurant & Lounge as the best in HCMC.
Situated on the 23rd floor of the Centec Tower in District 1, the restaurant opened its doors in 2010 and has become one of the most popular open-air rooftop restaurants in the southern metropolis.
With ceiling-to-floor windows, it offers diners panoramic views of Vietnam’s economic hub.
“Frangipani trees, water features and the general open-air feel make for a perfect place to unwind after a long day exploring the city. The objective of Shri Restaurant & Lounge is simple: beautiful home-cooked European food in a relaxed and ambient setting,” the site wrote.
Located at 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street, HCMC, the restaurant is open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.