Vietnam is a culinary destination that every international travel need to visit: Michelin Guide’s director

Gwendal Poullennec joined the Michelin group in 2003 after leaving ESSEC Business School in France and has spent more than the past decade in charge of the international deployment of the Michelin Guide in the United States and Asia.

He was also the initiator of the Michelin Guide launches in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Kyoto, and more recently Bangkok, Taipei, and Vietnam. Appointed general secretary of the Michelin Guide in 2014, he was at the origin of the creation of new digital interfaces for the group's gastronomic activities.

What does the Michelin star rating for a number of restaurants and eateries in Vietnam mean for Vietnamese cuisine in particular and Vietnamese tourism in general?

The first restaurant selection in Vietnam, with a total of 103 restaurants in the Guide, highlighting 4 restaurants awarded with one Michelin Star, 29 Bib Gourmand establishments, and 70 Selected restaurants, is a great start to recognize the chefs and restaurant teams for their talent and dedication to the Vietnamese culinary culture. This is just the beginning of the Michelin Guide’s journey in Vietnam, and our inspectors have been more than pleased to have discovered many gastronomic spots in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and I am sure, many more in the coming years.

From countries with Michelin-starred restaurants and eateries in Southeast Asia, can you tell some of the positive effects of this star?

Since its origin, the Michelin Guide’s mission has remained unchanged. It is still an independent Guide edited by the Michelin Group to accompany international travelers as well as local foodies to the best places around.

By bringing the Michelin Guide into Vietnam, we hope that this destination will appeal to both local and international foodies as the new culinary destination of the world.

In your opinion, with the development of social networks and platforms, food reviewers, will the influence of Michelin decrease?

What truly distinguishes us from other reviewers, is our inspection criteria and the independent inspection process.

Our inspectors are all employees of the Michelin group. They are anonymous and pay for all their meals just like a consumer. We do not ask or get any special treatment when our inspectors review hence providing a review of the restaurant that is as true to the everyday consumers as possible, and all the decisions made by our inspection time are always collective.

This is what makes the seriousness and the reputation of our methodology since 1900.

Are you concerned that social media platforms and food reviewers will become the downside of Michelin-starred restaurants?

Like the question above, what truly distinguishes us from other reviewers, is our inspection criteria and the independent inspection process.

Many people think that good or bad food depends on the taste of each person. It is difficult to come up with a general standard. The proof is that when some Vietnamese restaurants are given stars, they immediately receive feedback from many users that they are not worthy, even affecting the prestige of the award. What do you think about this?

The Michelin Guide selection is based on the universal five criteria, aiming to recommend the best culinary experience for foodies all around the world. Gastronomy has always been and will continue to be a subjective topic, and anyone is open to sharing their opinions, creating a healthy discussion, and sharing with the world about the local culinary gems.

Does Michelin have any activities to promote or attract tourists to the starred eateries?

The Michelin Guide focuses on its independent selection, with the aim to recommend the best culinary experience for people all around the world. The Michelin Guide does promote on its international platforms the content of its restaurant selection through dedicated editorial articles as well as social media content, encouraging foodies to discover the experiences - no matter whether they are Starred ones or not - recommended by its inspectors. In addition to that, the Michelin Guide might organize tailor-made events - influencers diners, food festivals, press trips, etc - to make its selection shines at another level.

What is your impression of Vietnamese street food? Famous for its delicious food, and beautiful scenery, foreign tourists to Vietnam often "never come back". What do you think are the reasons?

Vietnamese street food has such a strong identity and culture, with fresh and healthy ingredients, it plays a key role in providing a strong foundation for local cuisine on an international stage.

While there could be many reasons for a tourist to come and go, it is not our position to make a statement on that.

In order for food to contribute to tourism, what do you think Vietnam needs to improve?

The arrival of the Michelin Guide in Vietnam already shows that there is great potential in this destination to bring local cuisine to the rest of the world.