The Vietnam Best Sommelier in French Wines 2025 (VNBSMFW) – part of the “Taste France” campaign organised by the French Ministry of Agriculture – has successfully concluded after attracting more than 50 participants from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi. Following the Semi-Final round, four outstanding contestants advanced to the Grand Final.
The Final took place on September 17, 2025, at Mai House Saigon Hotel, where the top four sommeliers competed in a series of six challenges testing their professional expertise from wine service, blind tasting, cheese pairing, and food and wine matching to other advanced sommelier skills.
After an impressive performance, Nguyễn Hữu Phát from Bờm Hospitality was named Champion of this year’s competition. Nguyễn Hữu Toàn from La Maison 1888 – InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort claimed Second Place, while Nguyễn Minh Đức and Huỳnh Kim Mẫn, both from Đa Lộc Fine Wines & Spirits, took Third and Fourth Place respectively.
The competition brought together a distinguished panel of ten esteemed judges from the F&B industry, each representing a wealth of expertise and passion for fine wines. Among them were Jean-Pascal Paubert, Master Sommelier from France; Jean Bernard Baudron, Director of Sommelier & Development at Phú & Em / Kamei Group; Jan Visser, Asia Sales Director for Gérard Bertrand; Pierre-Marie Pattieu, Representative of Jackson Family Wines Asia Pacific; and Richard Krystkowiak, Asia Pacific Director at Hopscotch Season. Joining them were Đồng Khởi, Owner of Cocotte Casual Bistro & Baràvin; Chiêm Huỳnh Chấn Danh, Wine Director of Warehouse & Annam Gourmet; Emma Russ, Cheese Expert at Paysan Breton Vietnam; and Laura Gutierrez, WSET Educator and Strategic Marketing Director at Red Apron & Celliers d’Asie Wine School. Together, this panel of industry leaders brought international perspective and professional rigor to the judging process, ensuring that the competition upheld the highest standards of sommelier excellence.
With more than 80 guests in attendance, VNBSMFW 2025 once again proved to be a meaningful platform, not only celebrating professional excellence but also promoting the art of sommelier service in Vietnam and deepening the appreciation of French wines among local professionals and enthusiasts.
The event was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, whose contributions underscored the growing appreciation for fine wine and gastronomy in Vietnam. Leading the list were the Platinum Sponsors – Annam Group, Warehouse, and Evian Vietnam – whose continued partnership played a vital role in elevating the competition’s prestige. The Gold Sponsors, including Celliers d'Asie, Red Apron Fine Wines and Spirits, and Red Apron Wine School, further strengthened the event’s educational and professional dimensions. Supporting this celebration of sommelier excellence were the Silver Sponsors – Mathieu Teisseire Vietnam, Gérard Bertrand, Mouton Cadet, and Maison M. Chapoutier – alongside the Bronze Sponsors, Paysan Breton and Soigon, who contributed to the competition’s vibrant atmosphere. Completing the line-up were the Material Sponsors: Sampan Rhum, Kadeka Vietnam, Mai House Hotel, Phú & Em, WINECELLAR.vn, Riedel, MONIN, Epicure Vietnam, and Chateau Laguiole South East Asia, whose valuable support added refinement and depth to the event experience.