Phu Quoc Joins the MICHELIN Guide as Vietnam’s Fourth Culinary Destination

PHU QUOC, Vietnam — Phu Quoc is set to join the growing list of destinations covered by the MICHELIN Guide, bringing the island’s distinctive seafood, local ingredients, and evolving restaurant scene to a wider international audience.

The MICHELIN Guide has announced its expansion to Phu Quoc, making the island the fourth Vietnamese destination in the guide’s growing selection for Vietnam. The Vietnam 2027 restaurant selection is scheduled to be revealed in mid-2027.

The move puts Phu Quoc’s culinary culture further into the international spotlight as the island continues to develop as a major leisure destination in Southeast Asia.

Phu Quoc’s Culinary Identity Takes Center Stage

Phu Quoc’s food culture is closely connected to its location in the Gulf of Thailand.

Fresh seafood plays a central role in local cuisine, with the island’s surrounding waters supplying fish and other seafood used in traditional dishes.

Phu Quoc is also known for two signature products: Phu Quoc fish sauce and Phu Quoc pepper.

These ingredients have become closely associated with the island’s culinary identity and reflect generations of local food production and craftsmanship.

According to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, the island’s culinary character comes from the contrast between its traditional fishing-village food culture and an increasingly diverse dining scene influenced by international culinary talent.

The MICHELIN Guide’s expansion will allow its inspectors to explore this mix of traditional and contemporary dining as they assess restaurants across the island.

From Fishing Villages to International Dining

Phu Quoc’s restaurant scene has evolved alongside its growth as a tourism destination.

Traditional food establishments continue to serve seafood and local specialties rooted in the island’s fishing communities. At the same time, the arrival of chefs and hospitality brands from around the world has introduced new dining concepts.

This combination gives travelers the opportunity to experience different sides of Phu Quoc’s food culture in a single trip.

Visitors can explore local seafood restaurants and traditional eateries before discovering more contemporary dining experiences influenced by international culinary techniques and ideas.

The MICHELIN Guide’s inspectors will assess the island’s dining scene as part of the process leading to the 2027 selection.

What the MICHELIN Guide Expansion Means for Travelers

For food-focused travelers, the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide adds another dimension to planning a trip to Phu Quoc.

The island already attracts visitors with its beaches, resorts, marine activities, and tropical landscapes. Its growing culinary profile gives travelers another reason to explore beyond the traditional resort experience.

The 2027 selection is expected to provide an international reference point for restaurants and dining experiences on the island once it is announced.

For travelers planning future trips, this could make Phu Quoc a particularly interesting destination where seafood, local ingredients, traditional food culture, and modern gastronomy intersect.

Sun Group Supports the MICHELIN Guide’s Arrival

The expansion is supported by Sun Group, the MICHELIN Guide’s Destination Partner in Vietnam.

According to Dang Minh Truong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sun Group, Phu Quoc’s appeal extends beyond its natural scenery and hospitality offerings.

He highlighted the island’s accessibility, cultural identity, and gastronomy as important elements of its development as an international destination.

Sun Group also emphasized the role of local seafood, fish sauce, culinary traditions, and generations of food craftsmanship in defining Phu Quoc’s identity.

The company said the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide can help introduce these elements to international diners while encouraging visitors to explore more of the island.

Phu Quoc’s Food Heritage and Local Ingredients

Food production remains an important part of Phu Quoc’s cultural identity.

The island’s famous fish sauce is traditionally made from locally caught anchovies and long-established fermentation techniques. Phu Quoc pepper is another signature ingredient in local cuisine.

Seafood is equally important, reflecting the island’s fishing heritage and its location surrounded by productive waters.

For travelers, exploring these products can add a cultural dimension to a Phu Quoc holiday. Local markets, restaurants, food producers, and traditional dining establishments offer opportunities to understand how the island’s natural resources influence its cuisine.

A New Chapter for Vietnam’s Culinary Tourism

Phu Quoc becomes the fourth destination in Vietnam to be included in the MICHELIN Guide, expanding the guide’s presence in the country.

The announcement also highlights the growing role of gastronomy in Vietnam’s tourism landscape.

For Phu Quoc, the MICHELIN Guide’s arrival provides an international platform for its established food traditions while bringing greater attention to its emerging restaurant scene.

Travelers will have to wait until mid-2027 for the Vietnam 2027 restaurant selection to be unveiled.

Until then, Phu Quoc remains a destination worth exploring for its seafood, famous fish sauce, aromatic pepper, traditional food culture, and increasingly diverse dining scene.

Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam Travel and Tour Packages

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