I am Vincent Cao Minh Page, a French-Vietnamese person, born to a French father and a Vietnamese mother. Born and raised in Paris, I was introduced from an early age to the flavors and traditions of Vietnamese cuisine through my mother and her family.
The image of Vietnam became clear to me during my first job as an intern at a small Vietnamese restaurant on Montmartre Hill, owned by a man from Hai Phong. This restaurant was located among the busy tourist streets and was well known for many authentic Vietnamese dishes. The one that left the strongest impression on me was Coconut Braised Prawns—beautifully presented in a fresh coconut, with plump, red prawns nestled beside vibrant greens and a creamy, fragrant coconut sauce. It was so visually striking that most guests ordered it the moment they saw it on the menu. The flavor was even more unforgettable: the rich coconut broth, blending harmoniously with the prawns and vegetables, kept diners coming back for more—often unwilling to move on to other dishes until every last bite was gone. At that moment, I thought to myself, “Perhaps Vietnam is a land full of such culinary treasures—fresh vegetables, fruits, and an abundance of natural produce from its mountains, rivers, and seas. One day, I must go there to explore these wonders.”
After graduating from Jean Drouant–Mederic Hospitality School in Paris, I traveled to Vietnam during a holiday. Guided by my relatives, I explored a small yet vibrant country—beautiful, full of life, and incredibly hospitable. Each meal was like a new culinary adventure, and by the end of that trip, I made my first major life decision: I would return to Vietnam to live and build my career. My family fully supported me.
My first job in Vietnam was as a kitchen apprentice at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi—an invaluable experience where I learned from top chefs and sous-chefs in a five-star kitchen. I also built friendships with many Vietnamese colleagues who remain close to me today. In 2011, I moved to Ho Chi Minh City and opened my first restaurant with a French investor, a friend of my parents. Named La Crêperie on Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1, it specialized in crêpes from Bretagne—my paternal homeland. It was my first experience as an owner at a very young age, and I learned many valuable lessons that laid the foundation for my future in the restaurant business. Fortunately, our crêpes were warmly welcomed by customers, strengthening my belief in my culinary path.
After transferring ownership (the restaurant still operates today in Thao Dien), I returned to Hanoi to take on a managerial position at a Vietnamese restaurant, which is owned by a French entrepreneur with a team of over 40 staff. Over seven years, I honed my skills in managing a large team and gained deeper insight into the local dining scene. Living and working in Vietnam for many years, I came to deeply understand the people, culture, and cuisine. Eventually, I felt a calling—a vision for my own dream. I left my managerial role to start building my future.
As a French-Vietnamese with a deep passion for gastronomy, formally trained in France yet strongly connected to Vietnamese flavors, I felt destined to continue this journey—to explore Vietnamese cuisine and share it with both locals and international friends through the restaurants I would open.
In the summer of 2020, my dream took shape with my first restaurant, Chào Bạn, on Tô Ngọc Vân Street, Tây Hồ—a charming neighborhood beloved by many expatriates. I have always been fond of Tây Hồ and its vibrant international community, and I believed Chào Bạn had a promising future with the concept and vision I had planned.
As Chào Bạn grew steadily with a loyal clientele and stable operations, in June 2023, I opened my second restaurant: Maison 1929, located at No. 2 Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi. This second venue offered more seating, a central location, and an expanded menu for our guests.
Within two years of operation, by June 2025, Maison 1929 had become a beloved destination for visitors from 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels across Hanoi. We were honored to be selected by the Michelin Guide for two consecutive years: Michelin Selected 2024 and Michelin Selected 2025. This recognition has been a tremendous source of motivation for me, my company, and our dedicated team.
Continuing this vision, in May 2025, Chào Bạn relocated to a new home: Villa 28, Alley 11, Tô Ngọc Vân, Tây Hồ. This move fulfilled a long-time aspiration of mine: to elevate our service to a higher level—offering more seating, more private dining options, better comfort for rainy days, hot summers, or cold Hanoi winters, and, most importantly, a more spacious kitchen for my team and me to create even more memorable dishes for our guests.
In just five years, across two restaurants, I have introduced more than 40 Vietnamese dishes to patrons from all around the world. However, there are still countless treasures of Vietnamese cuisine I wish to share—each with its own story, flavor, and artistry. This journey is far from over.
I warmly welcome you to visit Chào Bạn and Maison 1929, two cozy homes where you can experience the true essence of Vietnam.
Are you ready to discover the flavors of Vietnam?
