Vietnam’s gastronomic and hospitality scene is entering a golden era—an evolution defined by creativity, craftsmanship, and a passion for unforgettable experiences. At the heart of this movement stands the Gourmet Vietnam Awards, presented by Epicure Vietnam, the country’s leading culinary magazine. More than just an awards ceremony, it is a national stage celebrating excellence, innovation, and dedication across the vibrant F&B and hospitality landscape.

The Gourmet Vietnam Awards return with a spotlight on creativity, passion, and talent across the country’s vibrant dining scene. This year, the People’s Choice categories invite food lovers to champion the chefs whose flavours and philosophies have reshaped the way Vietnam eats. From Italian mastery to French finesse, from bold Vietnamese reimaginings to soulful storytelling, these culinary leaders embody the energy and diversity of modern gastronomy.

For a decade, Sushi Rei has pursued Edomae sushi with unwavering discipline. From meticulously sourced Japanese seafood to the measured rhythm of an eight-seat counter, each omakase unfolds as a dialogue between chef, ingredient, and guest an experience shaped by patience, purity, and respect for tradition.

Following the success of its first season, Gourmet Vietnam Awards returns for Season 2 with a new collection of names and stories to celebrate. The Best Fine Dining Restaurant nominees reflect a dining scene that is becoming more confident, more personal and, above all, more exciting. 

From grand city icons to intimate urban escapes, Vietnam’s finest hotels are redefining what it means to travel beautifully. The Best Luxury Hotel nominees celebrate places where thoughtful service, distinctive character and a genuine sense of welcome come together, turning a night away into something we carry home with us. 

From intimate cocktail rooms to rooftop escapes, Vietnam’s bar scene has found a rhythm of its own. The Best Bar of the Year nominees celebrate places where inspired drinks, character and genuine hospitality come together, reminding us that sometimes the most memorable evenings begin with simply choosing the right bar.

There are few better ways to discover Vietnam than from the water. Framed by limestone cliffs, quiet bays and changing skies, the Best Cruise Ship of the Year nominees celebrate journeys where beautiful surroundings, thoughtful hospitality, good food and the simple pleasure of slowing down come together.

Casual dining is where personality often speaks loudest. From neighbourhood bistros and modern izakayas to pizza counters, wine bars and kitchens rooted in home-style cooking, the Best Casual Dining Restaurant nominees reveal how relaxed hospitality, distinctive flavours and a strong sense of place continue to shape Vietnam’s everyday dining culture.

From quiet bays and tropical islands to long stretches of coastline shaped by sun, wind and sea, Vietnam’s beach resorts are turning the simple idea of an escape into something far more memorable. The Best Beach Resort of the Year nominees celebrate places where landscape, hospitality and a slower rhythm of living come naturally together.

From intimate wine rooms to polished bistros, Vietnam’s wine culture is entering a more confident chapter. The Best Wine Bar nominees celebrate places where thoughtful bottles, informed service and an instinct for atmosphere come together, turning each pour into a reason to stay a little longer.

Fusion cuisine is most compelling when different traditions meet with purpose. The Best Fusion Cuisine Restaurant nominees celebrate kitchens that move beyond borders, drawing on memory, technique and curiosity to create dishes that feel both familiar and unexpected,...

From precision-cut steaks to smoke-led cooking, Vietnam’s grill culture is becoming more confident, expressive and diverse. The Best Steakhouse Restaurant and Best Grill & Barbecue Restaurant nominees celebrate kitchens where fire, technique and quality ingredients shape some of the country’s most compelling dining experiences.

Wellness today is no longer confined to treatment rooms. Across Vietnam, the Best Spa & Wellness Resort and Best Spa of the Year nominees reveal a broader idea of restoration, shaped by landscape, ritual, skilled touch and experiences designed to bring body, mind and rhythm back into balance with intention.

The best urban hotels understand the pace of modern travel, while exceptional MICE destinations know how to turn gathering into experience. Together, this year’s nominees reflect a hospitality landscape shaped by location, flexibility, thoughtful service and spaces designed equally well for individual stays, business journeys and moments of collective connection.