Our team
HUNG NGUYEN, Chef
Hung is the youngest chef in our team, yet he brings over 11 years of experience across various roles and restaurant concepts, consistently refining his foundational skills.
Throughout his career, Hung has earned numerous awards, leading him to head chef roles in prestigious establishments like Duong Kitchen, Sen Hoàng Gia Vietnam, SHP – School of Hospitality Professionals, Avana Retreat in Mai Chau, and various five-star cruises in Ha Long Bay. In 2019, Hung gained national recognition by winning the Yen Sao Khanh Hoa competition and securing 1st runner-up on Top Chef Vietnam. These experiences have allowed him to collaborate with renowned chefs worldwide, continually learning and evolving in his craft.
Having spent years in both modern and traditional kitchens, Hung has developed a deep understanding of Northern Vietnamese cuisine, as well as specialties from other regions. This knowledge inspires his innovative creations, blending Vietnamese ingredients with a contemporary Asian-European style.
HOI VU, Chef
Beyond his technical skills and over 20 years of experience as a chef, Hội excels at training and mentoring kitchen teams in various settings, ensuring their success. His experience includes leading his previous workplace to a spot among the top 25 upscale restaurants in the Vietnam Michelin Guide.
From 2023 to 2025, Hội brought his expertise to New Zealand. Now, he has settled at VinRice, where he continues to share his knowledge and passion. His deep understanding of Vietnamese cuisine, especially Northern Vietnamese dishes and fusion concepts makes him highly qualified to bring any Vietnamese culinary vision to life.
HOI VU, Chef
Beyond his technical skills and over 20 years of experience as a chef, Hội excels at training and mentoring kitchen teams in various settings, ensuring their success. His experience includes leading his previous workplace to a spot among the top 25 upscale restaurants in the Vietnam Michelin Guide.
From 2023 to 2025, Hội brought his expertise to New Zealand. Now, he has settled at VinRice, where he continues to share his knowledge and passion. His deep understanding of Vietnamese cuisine, especially Northern Vietnamese dishes and fusion concepts makes him highly qualified to bring any Vietnamese culinary vision to life.
HA TRAN, Founder and Chef
His culinary journey began in a Vietnamese kitchen, starting as a dishwasher and kitchen hand, surrounded by the flavors of his homeland that he had deeply missed since leaving Vietnam at a very young age. This explains why he chose to pursue a career in hospitality, with a particular focus on Vietnamese cuisine.
Cooking school is not part of his foundation; Ha learned kitchen techniques through his own work experience and mostly self-learning. Over the last five years, Ha has led his team to develop VinRice into what it is today. His decision to invite Hưng and Hội to join the team reflects his ambition to achieve something greater- striving to honor the roots of Vietnamese cuisine while adapting it to modern sensibilities. As he envisions it, VinRice from 2025 will be a place where tradition meets innovation.
