At the MICHELIN Awards Ceremony held at the InterContinental Hotel Saigon, a landmark achievement in sustainable gastronomy was celebrated. Nén Danang, a vanguard in Vietnam’s high-end culinary scene, received the esteemed 2024 MICHELIN Green Star for Excellence in Sustainability. This award not only positions Nén Danang as the first Vietnamese restaurant to receive such international acclaim, but it also affirms its pioneering and environmentally friendly practices that are setting new benchmarks in the industry.
The Michelin Green Star is an annual accolade that honors dining establishments leading the way in sustainability. It emphasizes those venues that adhere to strict ethical and environmental standards, engaging with eco-friendly producers and suppliers to diminish waste and cut down on plastics and other non-recyclable materials. Globally, a select group of 540 restaurants has achieved this recognition, providing culinary experiences that merge gastronomic finesse with exceptional green initiatives, serving as a source of inspiration across the culinary landscape and hospitality sector.
Under the innovative direction of Chef Summer Le and her partner Leon Le, Nén Danang redefines sustainable dining. The restaurant is committed to local sourcing, with 99% of its ingredients harvested locally, including from its own farms, thus bolstering Vietnam’s economy and minimizing environmental impact. This practice ensures the freshest ingredients and nurtures a tangible connection with the local community and environment.
The culinary philosophy at Nén Danang is encapsulated in its Sto:ry Menus, which blend Vietnamese cultural heritage with creative culinary practices. Each dish celebrates the natural world and cultural narratives, designed to stir emotions from joy to nostalgia. Particularly notable is their Sto:ry Menu #5, a pioneering zero-waste initiative that innovatively repurposes common ingredients, like eggshells into noodles.
Deeply ingrained in Nén’s identity is its commitment to ‘Conscious Vietnamese Cuisine,’ which influences every culinary decision from sourcing to presentation, ensuring a dining experience that prioritizes mindful consumption. The restaurant’s philosophy—encompassing origin, aesthetic, intention, balance, emotion, and presence—is reflected in every aspect of its operations.
The name “Nén” itself, derived from a modest yet significant ingredient from Central Vietnam, symbolizes the restaurant’s ethos of elevating the overlooked to the extraordinary. This philosophy permeates every facet of Nén’s operations, inviting diners to explore the depths of Vietnamese culinary traditions through every meal.
Situated adjacent to Nén Farm in Da Nang, the restaurant not only acts as the brand’s flagship but also signifies its profound commitment to sustainability and research. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to a temporary closure, Nén Danang reopened in 2023 with a fortified commitment to its sustainable mission, culminating in the award of Vietnam’s inaugural MICHELIN Green Star in 2024.
“Winning Vietnam’s first and only MICHELIN Green Star is a profound honor for Nén. This accolade recognizes our unwavering commitment to sustainability, not just in terms of environmental stewardship, but also in preserving and celebrating Vietnamese culture and traditions. It acknowledges our dedication to sourcing hyper-local ingredients, supporting local communities, and weaving stories through our culinary creations. This award inspires us to continue our journey of honoring the past while creating a sustainable future, where each dish tells a story of cultural heritage and respect for the land.” – Summer Le, Chef/Owner.
At Nén Danang, the dining experience transcends mere eating; it is an immersive journey through flavors, where each dish is a dialogue between the chef and the earth, continually inspiring both culinary enthusiasts and industry peers globally with its narrative-driven and environmentally conscious approach.
