Nén Light RestaurantVietnam/Nén+Light+Restaurant

NEED HELP ?

Contact the concierge on

dine@secret-retreats.com

BOOK

A relative newcomer to the ranks of Vietnam’s fine dining, Nén Light Restaurant Saigon put itself firmly on the map by earning a place in the Michelin Guide within a year of opening its doors in 2002. Diners exploring a narrow street in the center of the city are tempted by the subtle lights of the Nén Restaurant bamboo garden and the equally inviting Nén Light Restaurant interior. Situated at 122/2 Tran Dinh Xu Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Nén Restaurant Saigon Vietnam offers diners a unique menu that is completely updated every few months. Chef Summer Le, the creative force behind Nén selects only locally sourced ingredients to create a menu of between seven and nine particular dishes that align with the young chef’s vision of ‘unbounded’ innovation. An impressive array of wine pairings have been specially selected by Nén Light Saigon to perfectly complement the flavors of the chef’s incredible creations. A dedication to celebrating the culture and history of Vietnam is reflected in the complete fine dining experience including the Nén Light Restaurant ambience, the inventive menu, and the exceptional service. “A restaurant without boundaries” is the Nén Light Restaurant Vietnam’s strapline and captures the commitment of the kitchen to creating traditional cuisine that is allowed to push the boundaries of innovation and imagination. Each dish tells its own story and comes with a handwritten card that explains the narrative, the ‘story’, of the carefully created courses. Sister restaurant to Nén Danang, which was forced to mothball during the lockdowns, Nén Light Ho Chi Minh City transferred a reputation for forward-thinking and a commitment to invention to Vietnam’s most energetic and populous metropolis and is the latest jewel in the crown of Ho Chi Minh City’s world-class restaurants. Why not take in both of the Nén restaurants while on a Secret Retreats carefully crafted travel itinerary to Vietnam!

The Chef and the Brigade


“My gastronomic passion is rooted in the exploration of Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage and its dynamic potential on the global stage. At Nén, we’re dedicated to elevating Vietnamese cuisine through innovative storytelling and a deep respect for traditional ingredients. Our vision is to create a dining experience that not only delights the senses but also fosters a deeper understanding of our culture and values. By meticulously crafting each dish and weaving narratives into our tasting menus, we aim to transform every meal into a memorable journey. Our goal is to continuously push the boundaries of what Vietnamese cuisine can be, while remaining deeply connected to its roots, and to inspire guests to discover the profound beauty and complexity of our gastronomic and culinary traditions.”


Nén Light Restaurant Ho Chi Minh City – Where Every Dish Tells Its Own Story

An oasis of calm in the vibrant heart of the city, Nén Light Restaurant Ho Chi Minh City
earns its place as a Michelin-recommended eatery by offering a unique take on the dining experience by pairing fine food, exceptional wine and non-alcoholic beverages, and a selection of courses, each with a tale to tell. Chef Summer Le, the youthful culinary artist behind Nén Light Restaurant’s unique take on Vietnamese cuisine, says she aims to elevate her country’s culinary heritage and offer it to a global audience. She does this by designing dishes that not only ignite the senses and explode the emotions but also take diners on a journey through the history, culture, and values of Vietnam and its people. The now iconic, ever-changing Nén Light Restaurant “Sto:ry Menu” is dreamt up by Chef Le as she weaves her stories through a careful selection of seasonal ingredients and natural offerings that reflect the passing of time and the many experiences we encounter along the way. Those opting for the Full Experience will enjoy a tasting menu of nine courses with wines specially chosen to complement each. The Nén Light Saigon Short Experience features a delectable selection of seven dishes with wines from around the world carefully chosen to enhance the taste adventure. The atmosphere at Nén Light Restaurant Vietnam is subtle, sophisticated, and intimate with every detail deliberately designed to complement what is being conjured in the kitchen. The inviting interior of Nén Restaurant is a sanctuary from the pulsing energy of the city and a space where time no longer matters where the friendly, attentive staff are on hand to guide you on your culinary journey and to provide you with all you need to fully appreciate your Vietnamese dining experience as you discover the country’s sophisticated gastronomic delights.



“Located in a quiet lane in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Nén Light Restaurant has quickly established itself as a shining star in the firmament of this vibrant city’s restaurant scene. Almost as soon as it opened its doors in 2022, Nén Restaurant caught the attention of the highly selective team at Michelin. Chef Summer Le creates exquisite always-changing tasting menus and delicious wine pairings that place a unique spin on traditional Vietnamese recipes. Each dish tells its own part of a carefully written story in a relaxing and intimate setting in the heart of Vietnam’s most vibrant city.”
Kim, the discoverer.



Nén Light Ho Chi Minh City – A “Journey” Through Vietnam’s Rich Culinary Heritage

A celebration of the passion of Vietnam’s younger generation, Nén Light Ho Chi Minh City successfully combines the enthusiasm of a youthful team eager to celebrate the vibrancy of Vietnam’s most exciting city with respect and dedication to the country’s rich culture and historic heritage. The latest addition to the Nén Restaurant stable, Nén Light Saigon follows in the footsteps of Nén Danang by offering innovative dining in an elegant setting. The menu never stands still at Nén Light Saigon and the thought-provoking “Journey” menu is introducing a new audience to Chef Summer Le’s enthusiasm for taking traditional Vietnamese dishes and adding her unique and creative twist. Grabbing the attention of the compilers of the world-renowned Michelin Guide, Nén Restaurant Saigon Vietnam has shot to the very top of the list of must-visit restaurants for any foodies visiting the south of the country. Located in District 1, Nén Light Restaurant is easy to find and is the perfect start or end to an evening out for those seeking a dining experience like no other while in Ho Chi Minh / Saigon. As Chef Le continues to push the boundaries of her art, diners can expect to be taken on a deeply emotional culinary journey with her. Among the dishes that have impressed the Michelin team and diners from around the world are scallop and rice field crab, blue scampi and eggshell, giant isopod, pheasant and glutinous corn, and longan honey and star berry. An exceptional Nén Restaurant wine list is available, although each dish has already been carefully paired to complete the gastronomic story that Chef Le has written on the plate. Vegetarian and vegan options are available on request and there is a comprehensive selection of carefully concocted non-alcoholic pairings on offer.


Atmosphere


A sanctuary from the vibrant and ever busy city of Ho Chi Minh, Nén Light is located in a quiet lane in the heart of the city, and offers diners a cool, quiet oasis of calm that is the perfect atmosphere to dine within. Every detail has been considered in the sophisticated and elegant interior to complement the sophistication and elegance of the dining. The staff are warm, attentive and friendly and always ready to guide you on your culinary journey to discover truly elevated and delicious Vietnamese cuisine.

The Cuisine


Nén Light has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for their unique and creative take on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Chef Le and her team are well known for their championing of Vietnamese cuisine and elevating the cuisine while remaining true to its heritage and the wonderful way they weave a story into every dish. A dining experience not to be missed!

Facilities and Highlights

Nén Light Restaurant highlight
  • WifiWifi
    Air ConditioningAir Conditioning
    Wedding/EventWedding/Event
    Bar/LoungeBar/Lounge
    Indoor DiningIndoor Dining
    Private DiningPrivate Dining
    Locally Sourced ProduceLocally Sourced Produce
    Chef/Tasting MenuChef/Tasting Menu
    Creative CuisineCreative Cuisine
    Vegetarian Dishes AvailableVegetarian Dishes Available

Useful Information

GENERAL
Opening time:
6.00 – 11.00 PM

Annual closing:
Lunar New Year holiday week

Time zone: (GMT+07:00) Hanoi
Currency accepted: USD, VND
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners, UnionPay
ACCESS
From the Airport (Tan Son Nhat International Airport): The most convenient way is to take a taxi directly to Nén Light. The ride usually takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.
From the City: If you are in District 1, you can walk to Nén Light as it’s centrally located. The restaurant is only a 10–15-minute walk from popular areas like Ben Thanh Market.

CONTACT
Ho Chi Minh City

CONTACT HERE



CONCIERGE
Your concierge is ready to assist you with planning and completing your reservation,
contact them on dine@secret-retreats.com

Unique Travel Itineraries and Secret Experiences
in Vietnam

BOOK

instagram youtube linkedin blog tiktok

Travel Asia with Secret Retreats

Secret Retreats is a curated community of independent boutique hotel, villas, yachts and river boats keen to share their Asian Homes with travelers, sustainably and responsibly. Conservation of the environment, culture and traditions of Asia is of paramount importance to all in Secret Retreats. A community of like-minded hospitality professionals, we offer our guests authentic travel experiences that go beyond typical offerings to unveil the essence of Asia. Supporting the Asia based hoteliers and hospitality professionals and providing incredible holidays in Asia and tailor-made Asia travel itineraries direct to public ad travel agents.
Get inspired and make savings!
By booking direct with Secret Retreats and enjoy peace of mind from our full on the ground support. Contact our concierge and plan then book your Asia holiday now!