[LIVE] Flavors Awards 2024: A Night Of Culinary Brilliance On Nguyen Hue Walking Street

With the theme “Crafting shared culinary experiences,” Flavors Vietnam 2024 x Hozo International Food Fest, co-organized by Mastercard and Vietcetera, has embarked on an inspiring 5-month journey. Building on the success of signature events such as Bar Week, Flavors Conference, and Flavors Restaurant Month, Flavors Vietnam 2024 will conclude this remarkable journey by honoring premier F&B businesses and services across Vietnam at the Flavors Awards 2024.

Who will win at the Flavors Awards 2024 and continue to cement their place on the world culinary map? Join us at Nguyen Hue Walking Street (Ho Chi Minh City) to witness the celebration!

4:45 PM
As the sun sets over Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street, guests of the Flavors Awards 2024 begin to arrive.

Canape is served by HOME Saigon team at the table. Beverages from Osterberg are also ready for guests to refresh their tastes.

The main stage comes alive as DJ De’Ann kicks off the awards night with an energetic performance.

Culinary Frank, owner of Society Cafe & Dining and a member of the Grand Prize Judging Panel, arrived early at the awards ceremony.

5:40 PM

As night falls over Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street, the stage lights up, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The crowd grows larger, with notable guests including food bloggers and renowned chefs such as Peter Cường Franklin.

The event also draws in passersby from the walking street, who stop to enjoy the lively beats of DJ De’Ann’s performance.

6:00 PM

At 6 pm, the ceremony officailly starts. Two hosts of the night, Dustin and Kieu Khanh, takes the stage, warmly welcoming the guests to this prestigious ceremony.

As the clock struck the hour, a light rain began to fall. Yet, the excitement and energy of the awards ceremony remained undeterred, shining through despite the weather.

The raindrops, illuminated by the stage lights, glimmered like falling snow, adding an enchanting backdrop to the opening speeches from representatives of Vietcetera and Mastercard, co-organizers of the Flavors Awards and Flavors Vietnam.

Mr. Hảo Trần, CEO of Vietcetera, opened the ceremony with a concise reflection on the five-year journey of the Flavors Awards.

Mr. Nguyễn Quốc Huy, Vice President of Business Management at Mastercard Vietnam, followed with remarks celebrating the successful collaboration between Mastercard and Vietcetera in recent years.

6:15 PM

A presentation plays on the screen, introducing the Flavors Awards 2024, showcasing the categories and highlighting impressive milestones.

6:20 PM

The atmosphere heats up as the Flavors Collection awards are announced. This category honors 50 winners across five community-voted categories.

Mr. Bùi Huy Hoàng, Brand Manager of Be GROUP, presents awards to the top 5 winners in the Travelers' Top Picks category.

Mr. Sanh Nguyen, CEO of InSpace Creative, presents awards for Most Favored Coffee Shop.

Mr. Mark Ocampo, CIO of Trinity Live, presents awards for Most Favored Bar.

Mr. Võ Ngọc Thạch, New Business Development Manager at Osterberg Quality, presents awards for Most Favored Hotel.

Ms. Linh Lê, COO of Flava Live, presents awards to the top 5 winners in the Most Favored Restaurant category.

18:45: Vietcetera Editors' Pick Awards Annoucement

On stage, the MC announced an exciting new award category debuting at tonight’s ceremony: Vietcetera Editor’s Picks.

This category highlights emerging, unique, and must-visit dining and leisure experiences in Ho Chi Minh City, personally discovered and curated by Vietcetera’s editors.

AWARD 1: The Ultimate Traveler Hotspot

Mr. Hao Tran, CEO of Vietcetera, announced the winner. The title of The Ultimate Traveler Hotspot was awarded to Zion Sky Lounge & Dining.

AWARD 2: Hotel of the Year

Representatives from Osterberg Quality presented the award to Kin Hotel, a newly established chain that has swiftly earned the trust of travelers with its attentive service, convenient locations, and luxurious amenities.

AWARD 3: Worth Trying Interactive F&B Experience

A representative from be GROUP announced the winner of this category: Tea Omakase Fufu, a uniquely styled omakase tea house located in District 1, which just opened in 2024.

The representative from Tea Omakase Fufu was overcome with emotion and speechless upon receiving the award.

AWARD 4: Rising Premium Retailer Concept

The winner, Mena Gourmet Market, was recognized for its exceptional concept. Opened in 2024 near the airport, this premium retail supermarket integrates advanced technologies and diverse services, including on-site dining with chefs.

Additionally, the market emphasizes sustainable sourcing by supporting products from the Tây Giang community, such as wild vegetables, H’Mông chickens, and mallard, ensuring high quality and sustainability.

AWARD 5: Rising Star in Sensory Dining

Ms. Le Ngoc Mai, CEO of Unios Vietnam, announced the winner of the Rising Star in Sensory Dining.

The award went to Yuzu Omakase, known as the most exclusive omakase restaurant in Saigon. Despite celebrating only its first anniversary, Yuzu Omakase has already gained a stellar reputation among food enthusiasts.

AWARD 6: Must-visit Aesthetic Dining Experience

Ms. Nguyen Thi Trinh, Vice President of Communications at Vero Vietnam, presented the award for Must-visit Aesthetic Dining Experience to Steakhouse The Fan, a restaurant renowned for its premium beefsteak dishes served in an elegantly artistic setting."

AWARD 7: Must-Visit Bar For A Storytelling Experience

A representative from Vero announced the next winner. The title of Must-Visit Bar For A Storytelling Experience went to EM*Me House.

The name Em.me—pronounced /em-mi/—is a playful pun meaning "a place for you and me." True to its name, Em.me House offers guests a world of romantic tales. If you stumble upon the bar’s fan page, you might mistake it for a poetry site, thanks to the abundance of beautiful verses.

AWARD 8: Concept of the Year

The title of Concept of the Year was awarded to Yakiuo Ishikawa Saigon, a restaurant offering meatless yakiniku. This innovative "Meatless Yakiniku" concept is a creative twist from the Yakiuo brand, inspired by the legacy of Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market.

19:10

Singer 52Hz took the stage at the Flavors Awards 2024. She performs Đợi and Ở nhà một mình, her latest release, creating a soulful atmosphere for the awards ceremony.

19:15

The awards continued with the most anticipated and prestigious category of the night: Flavors Grand Prize. The host introduced the Flavors Grand Prize and the esteemed jury panel responsible for selecting the winner.

1. Travelers Top Picks

The winner of this prestigious award is… Bánh mì Huỳnh Hoa.

However, as the representative from Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa was unable to attend the ceremony, the championship trophy will be delivered to them after the event

2. F&B Concept of the Year

Among three highly anticipated nominees, the winner is… AnAn Saigon, proudly holding a Michelin star for two consecutive years.

3. F&B Campaign of the Year

After a few moments of anticipation among the three nominees, the winner is… Pizza 4P’s: Message of Gratitude.

4. Coffee Shop of the Year

Without keeping the audience waiting, the winner of the Coffee Shop of the Year award is… Every Half Coffee Roasters.

5. Hotel of the Year

Amidst the fierce competition among three five-star hotel nominees, the judges have chosen the winner… Capella Hanoi.

Unfortunately, the representative from Capella Hanoi could not attend the ceremony tonight, so the award trophy will be delivered to them after the event.

6. Green F&B Product of the Year

Sustainability has become a rising trend in the F&B industry, capturing the attention of both business owners and diners alike.

And the winner of the Green F&B Product of the Year award is once again… Pizza 4P’s.

7. Bar of the Year

The F&B industry thrives on the vibrant energy of nightlife, where bars and skilled bartenders play a central role with their exceptional mixology and creativity.

And the winner of the Bar of the Year award is… Mámi Cocktails - Kitchen & Bar.

8. Bartender of the Year

Following the Bar of the Year award, the ceremony continues with the announcement of the Bartender of the Year. The winner is none other than Ngô Kim Uyên, the female bartender and champion of World Class Vietnam 2024.

Unfortunately, Kim Uyên was unable to attend the event, so her award will be sent to her after the ceremony.

9. Restaurant of the Year

Finally, the awards ceremony reaches the most anticipated categories of the Grand Prize.

On behalf of Mastercard Vietnam, Huy Nguyễn, Vice President of Business Management, took the stage to present the award and announce the winner… Lamai Garden, crowned Restaurant of the Year 2024.

10. Chef of the Year

Closing the Flavors Awards 2024 is the much-anticipated final category: Chef of the Year.

And the honor goes to… Peter Cường Franklin, the visionary head chef and owner of AnAn Saigon, crowned Chef of the Year.

20:20

JSOL lit up the stage to the delight of the audience, performing three fan-favorites: Ngáo Ngơ, Nên Yêu Hay Không Yêu, and Độc Thân.

He wrapped up his set with the hit Ngáo Ngơ, leaving a lasting impression and bringing the Flavors Awards 2024 to a perfect and unforgettable close.

Flavors Vietnam 2024, a partnership between Vietcetera and Mastercard, is a five-month long celebration of Vietnam's F&B scene. An annual occurrence since 2018, this year's theme is focused on “Crafting shared culinary experiences.”

As part of Flavors Vietnam 2024, the Flavors Awards (previously known as the Vietnam Restaurants and Bars Awards) celebrate premier F&B businesses and services across Vietnam. The awards highlight local flavors, exceptional talent, and elevate the significance of Vietnamese culinary culture.

This year, the ceremony will integrate with the Flavors Festival, Flavors Vietnam's first exuberant fusion of food, culture, and live music.

About Flavors Awards:
Location: 135 Nguyen Hue - 39 Le Loi, District 1, HCMC.
Date and Time: 14th December 2024

Special thanks to all sponsors and partners of Flavors Awards 2024: Title Sponsor: Mastercard; Major Sponsor: Diageo (Owner of Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray và Don Julio), Vikki and Menas; Category Sponsor: Vietdeli; Product Sponsor: Unios, Osterberg Quality and Bliss Premium Gelato; Travel Partner: be; Communication Partner: Vero; Creative Partner: InSpace-Creative; Event Partner: Trinity Live and Flava Live.

Join us and learn more about Flavors Vietnam 2024 here.

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Please do not share with those under legal drinking age.

This article was written by Bích Trâm and Thuý An.

Photos: Khooa Nguyen for Vietcetera