As part of efforts to implement Ho Chi Minh City’s Tourism Development Strategy to 2030, the municipal Department of Tourism has partnered with businesses to embed culinary experiences into tourism products. As a result, the city is steadily strengthening its presence on Michelin’s global culinary map, affirming its position as an emerging international gastronomic hub.
Recently, Vinh Khanh Street in Khanh Hoi Ward was ranked 10th among the “31 Coolest Streets in the World 2025,”according to UK-based Time Out magazine. Stretching for about one kilometre and lined with dozens of seafood grills, the street is known for its vibrant energy, with street performers entertaining visitors daily and on weekends. Several well-known eateries contribute to its growing reputation, including Oc Oanh – featured in the Michelin Guide 2024, which has helped elevate the street’s profile on the international stage.
Time Out describes Vinh Khanh as a lively, spirited destination that captures the essence of Ho Chi Minh City’s dynamic street-food culture.
Adding to the city’s rising culinary prestige, Vietnam is hosting the “100 Flavours – Michelin-Starred Chefs” Culinary Week for the first time. Taking place from November 23 to 28 in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, and Hue, the event brings together world-class chefs and showcases the fusion of international fine dining with Vietnam’s culinary heritage. The initiative aims to position Vietnam as a leading culinary and tourism destination in Asia, with a diverse programme of cultural and gastronomic activities.
This marks the first occasion in Vietnam where 13 Michelin-starred chefs gather to deliver premium dining experiences. Accompanying the event is Dinner Incredible, an international culinary project founded by Chef Giorgio Diana and previously held in Rome, Tokyo, Singapore, and New York. The programme also celebrates the return of Vietnamese chef Michael Bao Huynh to the global culinary stage.
At a November 23 press conference, Diana noted that the Michelin-starred chef series would open a new chapter for fine dining in Vietnam, combining cuisine, music, and atmosphere into a “unique symphony of taste.”
Event director Kim Thanh Thao added that the strategic collaboration between 100 Flavours Week and Dinner Incredible Vietnam 2025 reflects the goal of establishing Vietnam as a top Asian destination for luxury haute-cuisine experiences.
Regarding tourism development, Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said the city has been diversifying its tourism offerings in recent years, from waterway tours and cultural-historical experiences to ecotourism and community-based products. Among these, culinary tourism stands out due to the city’s rich gastronomic landscape, gathering regional Vietnamese specialities and global flavours, especially after the administrative boundary expansion.
In 2025, the department worked with businesses to design new culinary tourism products built on the city’s extensive network of dining venues, shopping areas, and attractions. It also encouraged travel agencies and service providers to introduce compelling programmes tailored to evolving visitor preferences, she added.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 