Akuna at Le Méridien Saigon retains one MICHELIN star, while French Grill By Jean-François Nulli at JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi, and Hemispheres Steak & Seafood Grill at Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, are both “Selected” by the world's leading culinary guide.
Marriott International is celebrating a glittering evening of success at the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony 2025, as three of its renowned dining destinations in Vietnam were honored by the world’s leading restaurant guide, reaffirming the company’s commitment to creating the finest dining experiences available anywhere in the country.
In a sparkling ceremony staged in Danang on Thursday June 5th, 2025, Akuna, the acclaimed fine dining venue at Le Méridien Saigon, was honored with one star in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide for Vietnam. In addition, French Grill by Jean-François Nulli, the contemporary restaurant at JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi which blends modern French flavors with authentic local ingredients, and Hemispheres, the stylish steak and seafood grill at Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, were both “Selected” in this year’s MICHELIN Guide.
According to MICHELIN, one star is awarded to “restaurants where dishes with distinct flavors are prepared to a consistently high standard”, while MICHELIN Selected status means a restaurant has been recognized for “serving food to a high level”.
Led by multi-awarded Australian chef Sam Aisbett, Akuna takes its name from an Aboriginal word meaning “flowing water” – a reflection of Sam's free-flowing philosophy. Crossing the boundaries of region and culture, his ever-evolving menu skilfully blends international influences with a special nod to Vietnam's rich culinary landscape, showcasing indigenous ingredients, local herbs and spices from Vietnam, many of which find their way to a fine dining table for the first time. This creative vision comes to life in a dramatic setting at Le Méridien Saigon, where over 1,100 hanging Murano lights appear like a golden stream at sunset. Now in its second consecutive year of receiving one MICHELIN star, Akuna has reaffirmed its position at the pinnacle of Vietnam’s fine dining scene.
French Grill by Jean-François Nulli was commended by MICHELIN for its outstanding cuisine, which blends the timeless gastronomic techniques of France with original elements – and a twist of imaginative genius from Chef Jean-François, the French culinary innovator. The tasting menus showcase premium local and imported produce to create exquisite dishes that weave together the flavors of East and West, such as the signature Phở Beef Tartare, to transport guests on immersive journeys. With Hanoi’s largest open kitchen and a walk-in wine tasting room, this vibrant venue offers a multi-sensory dining experience. This marks the third consecutive year that French Grill has been “Selected” by the MICHELIN Guide, following its previous successes in 2023 and 2024.
The multi-award-winning Hemispheres Steak & Seafood Grill has firmly established itself as one of Hanoi’s premier places to dine. Discerning guests can savor ultra-tender, responsibly reared steaks and succulent, sustainably sourced seafood, expertly crafted by Chef Nguyễn Nam Nguyên, the highly skilled Vietnamese chef de cuisine, and presented in an elegant setting overlooking West Lake. Newly renovated in 2024, it features a Vietnamese-inspired tile roof and dynamic open kitchens to leave a lasting impression on every diner. Hemispheres also achieved Selected status in the previous two editions of the MICHELIN Guide for Vietnam.
“We are delighted and deeply honored to have three restaurants recognized by the MICHELIN Guide in Vietnam – and especially to have retained our MICHELIN star for Akuna. This captivating country is famed for its natural produce and rich culinary heritage. At Marriott, we strive to capture the spirit of Vietnamese gastronomy and enhance it with our global influences – including the world’s most talented chefs – to elevate the country's dining scene to new levels of excellence. I would like to congratulate the teams at our MICHELIN restaurants for their achievements,” said Duke Nam, Regional Vice President - South Korea, Vietnam & Philippines, Marriott International.
