Azerai La Residence, Hue has unveiled a refreshed menu at its flagship restaurant Le Parfum, introducing new Hue-inspired Vietnamese specialities under the direction of award-winning head chef Nguyen Dong Hai, as the hotel continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading culinary destination in central Vietnam.
A Culinary Landmark in Central Vietnam
Long recognised as one of Hue’s most respected dining addresses, Azerai La Residence, Hue continues to build on its culinary credentials with a menu update that celebrates local heritage alongside international refinement.
The new offerings arrive as Chef Nguyen Dong Hai — recently named a “Master Culinary Artist of Vietnam” and a finalist at the Gourmet Vietnam Awards by Epicure — brings renewed focus to Hue’s imperial food traditions, interpreted through a contemporary lens.
New Vietnamese Specialities at Le Parfum
Le Parfum, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, has added several Vietnamese dishes rooted in Hue’s royal cuisine, showcasing regional ingredients, slow-cooking techniques and carefully balanced spices.
Highlights from the New Menu
- Hue Royal-Style Braised Duck Leg
Braised in Minh Mang wine with goji berries, star anise, carrots, mushrooms and ginseng, served with mung bean sticky rice - Hue Five-Spice Roasted Chicken with Turmeric Rice
Free-range chicken marinated in five local spices and honey, served with shiitake mushrooms, turmeric-scented rice and sautéed bok choy - Hue Caramelized Pork & Prawn in a Clay Pot
Served with sautéed broccoli and steamed rice
These additions reinforce the restaurant’s focus on dishes that are deeply rooted in Hue’s culinary identity while remaining accessible to international travellers.
International Accents on the Menu
Complementing the Vietnamese selections are new globally inspired dishes that reflect Chef Hai’s classical training and international experience.
Notable additions include:
- Thyme Semi-Smoked Japanese Wagyu Striploin A5, served with pear potato, organic vegetables and yakiniku sauce
- Steamed Yellowtail Kingfish with Black Bean Soy, accompanied by sautéed mushrooms, carrots, onions, bok choy and glass noodles
A Chef Defined by Legacy and Innovation
Chef Hai joined La Residence in 2005 and has since shaped many of the hotel’s most iconic dining experiences.
Among them is “The Colonial Life,” a signature concept blending Nguyen Dynasty imperial cuisine with refined French gastronomy, served in a riverside setting inspired by Indochina-era elegance.
In 2017, he created the “Majestic Menu” to honour the state visit of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan, hosted by then-Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. The menu’s fusion of Hue’s royal cuisine and global flavours has since become one of the hotel’s most celebrated and enduring offerings.
Global Recognition and Notable Guests
Chef Hai’s cuisine has attracted international acclaim over the years, including praise from the late Anthony Bourdain, who stayed at La Residence in 2014. Bourdain notably highlighted Chef Hai’s inventive take on the Vietnamese bánh mì — now widely known as the “La Residence Banh Mi.”
An Architectural Icon on the Perfume River
Azerai La Residence, Hue features 122 rooms and suites centred around a colonial mansion built in 1930, originally part of the residence of the French Resident Supérieur.
The building’s long horizontal lines and nautical detailing are signature elements of the streamline moderne art deco style, making it one of Hue’s most distinctive heritage landmarks.
Awards and Brand Context
In 2025, The Times of London named Azerai La Residence, Hue among Vietnam’s top 16 hotels. The property is part of hotelier Adrian Zecha’s Azerai collection, which also includes Azerai Ke Ga Bay in southern Vietnam.
Why It Matters
- Elevates Hue’s culinary narrative: The menu reinforces Hue’s status as a centre of imperial Vietnamese cuisine, presented at international luxury standards.
- Chef-led storytelling: Chef Hai’s accolades and legacy add depth and credibility to the hotel’s dining programme.
- Balanced appeal: The mix of regional Vietnamese dishes and premium international selections broadens appeal to both domestic and global guests.
- Cultural preservation through hospitality: The refreshed menu continues Azerai La Residence’s role in preserving and reinterpreting Vietnam’s culinary heritage.
Practical Information
- Restaurant: Le Parfum, Azerai La Residence, Hue
- Reservations: +84 (0) 234 3837 475
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: azerai.com/azerai-la-residence-hue
At a Glance
- Hotel: Azerai La Residence, Hue
- What’s New: Expanded menu featuring Hue royal-style Vietnamese dishes
- Chef: Nguyen Dong Hai, Master Culinary Artist of Vietnam
- Dining Venue: Le Parfum
- Highlights: Braised duck leg, five-spice roasted chicken, Wagyu A5, yellowtail kingfish
- Recognition: Top 16 Vietnam hotel (The Times, 2025)
Also read Adrian Zecha at 92: Hospitality Visionary Marks Azerai Milestone in Vietnam
