Ciel Dining (Vietnam) is in the top of the World's Best New Restaurants in 2025

VHO - In 2025, besides famous names in New York, Paris, Tokyo or Mexico City, Vietnam has only one representative on this prestigious list announced by Conde Nast Traveler: Ciel Dining (HCMC).

Ciel Dining is an ambitious fine dining destination by renowned chef Le Viet Hong and his associates.

Every year, foodies and travelers eagerly await the new list of the world's best restaurants - a ranking that not only reflects contemporary tastes but also reveals future trends in global cuisine.

Over the past 12 months, our editors have traveled across five continents to discover unique culinary destinations: from a fine-dining bar nestled in the pine forests of Girona to a restaurant set in an old garage in Mexico City.

The Inspiration of the World's Best New Restaurants 2025 This year is all about the joy of living, limitless exploration and love for local culture. It shows through every dish, space, story and person behind it.

Ciel Dining (HCMC, Vietnam) is hidden nestled in the lush green gardens of District 2 - an internationally renowned neighbourhood in Ho Chi Minh City. This restaurant embodies the spirit of innovation and creativity of the young generation of Vietnamese chefs.

Chef Le Viet Hong, 34 years old, was one of the founding members of Monkey Gallery - a pioneer restaurant in the fine dining wave in Vietnam.

After honing his skills at culinary icons such as Noma (Denmark), Disfrutar (Spain) and Sézanne (Japan), Le Viet Hong returned to his homeland and launched Ciel Dining, a tasting menu restaurant that reflects his personal philosophy.

The restaurant space is a two-story house that blends Japanese spirit with Nordic minimalism, with a horseshoe-shaped kitchen counter overlooking a tropical garden. The walls are hand-painted by a group of his artist friends as a bold greeting to dynamic Saigon.

Each dish at Ciel Dining is a subtle twist on tradition and modernity. During CN Traveller’s visit, the chef served prawn tartare topped with fish sauce and coconut milk, and lamb with spicy Vietnamese coriander pesto—combinations that may seem daring but are surprisingly harmonious.

In 2025, Ciel Dining made its debut on the list and was immediately awarded a Michelin star - a rare feat for a newcomer. Le Viet Hong was also awarded the Michelin Young Chef of the Year award.

Michelin judges rate Ciel Dining highly not only for the quality of the dishes but also for the emotional storytelling through each dish - where each ingredient such as fish, shrimp, and vegetables are exploited to the fullest in terms of flavor and emotion.

Underneath the sophisticated technical shell and minimalist aesthetics, Ciel Dining is imbued with the essence of “Vietnam in the new era”: Open, confident and ready to enter the global game.

Seasonal tasting menus are lovingly crafted. Each dish at Ciel Dining is a delicate variation between tradition and modernity.

Other great culinary destinations in the world in 2025:

- 19 Saint Roch (Paris, France): Contemporary French restaurant by young chef Pierre Touitou, where classical techniques and Asian-Mediterranean inspiration intersect.

- Acamaya (New Orleans, USA): Chef Ana Castro's bustling space, where Mexican seafood dishes are brought to life with ingredients from the Louisiana Gulf.

- AngloThai (London, UK): Couple John & Desiree Chantarasak create a unique harmony between Thai spices and seasonal British food.

- Arami (La Paz, Bolivia): Chef Marsia Taha, the best female chef in Latin America 2024, recreates the spirit of Bolivia with ingredients such as: Crocodile, Amazon peppers, coconut milk and native fish.

- Clandestina (São Paulo, Brazil): A cozy space that explores native South American ingredients through Bel Coelho's buffet menu.

- Bungalow (New York, USA): Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna pays tribute to India's culinary heritage through emotional and culturally meaningful feasts.

- Esperit Roca (Girona, Spain): The newest restaurant of the famous Roca family, located in a former military fortress, where more than 80,000 bottles of Spanish wine are waiting for you to discover.

- Notori (Mt. Fuji, Japan): Where you walk through the forest to a black wooden house with only 9 seats, enjoy Hokuroku cuisine created by the Horiuchi brothers, a destination that is truly “worth a trip”.

- Rua Kigali (Rwanda): A fine dining restaurant created by young Rwandans, connecting local produce with contemporary design and the innovative energy of the African continent.

- Somma (Singapore): From an ancient monastery to a modern restaurant, chef Mirko Febbrile has breathed into this Apulian childhood memory - where tradition meets the spirit of the future.

The World's Best New Restaurants 2025 list not only creates a map of outstanding culinary experiences, but also a living testament to a world that increasingly celebrates local identity in a global mindset.

Among hundreds of creative locations, Ciel Dining (HCMC) emerges as a confident and unique “bright spot” in this culinary “picture”.

With such an inspiring presence, perhaps the question is no longer “Can Vietnam?” but “When will there be more Vietnamese chefs on the world culinary map?”.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/ciel-dining-viet-nam-lot-top-nhung-nha-hang-moi-tot-nhat-the-gioi-nam-2025-141543.html