GIA’S JOURNEY TO THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

Stepping Away to Learn, Listen, and Reflect.

Every year, amidst the demanding rhythm of a fine dining kitchen, the Gia team makes a conscious effort to pause. To step away from 14-hour kitchen days and venture outward, listening, observing, and learning together.

This year, that journey brought us to Vietnam’s Central Highlands, a land of mountains and forests where nature, people, and culture remain deeply intertwined, moving at a pace that feels both ancient and enduring.

The Central Highlands: Land Of Elevation, Red Soil, And Living Heritage

The Central Highlands is Vietnam’s only region without a coastline, stretching across the southern Truong Son range with layered plateaus such as Kon Tum, Pleiku, Dak Lak, and Lam Vien. Sitting at elevations of 500–600 meters above sea level, its fertile red basalt soil supports crops essential to both local life and the nation’s economy: coffee, cocoa, pepper, tea, and rubber.

Beyond agriculture, the region holds one of Vietnam’s richest ecosystems, with vast forest coverage, rare medicinal plants, and diverse wildlife. It is also home to distinct indigenous cultures, most notably the Gong Cultural Space of the Central Highlands, recognized as intangible cultural heritage. Here, land, forest, and culture are inseparable.

Living The Highlands: Lessons Beyond The Kitchen

Cuôr Tak Village and the Story of Y Sol

We stayed in Cuôr Tak village, accompanied by Y Sol, a young man of the M’nông ethnic group. More than a guide, Y Sol was a storyteller, sharing ancestral narratives of longhouses, forest beliefs, and communal life. What moved us most was not only the stories, but his way of living: choosing to remain with his community, preserving M’nông culture not as a relic of the past, but as a living, evolving presence rooted in everyday life.

It was a quiet yet powerful lesson on identity, continuity, and cultural responsibility.

Meeting Uncle Tu: A Farmer’s Quiet Conviction

Back in Buon Ma Thuot city, we met Uncle Tu, a farmer deeply committed to cultivating clean, specialty coffee. His journey is one of patience and belief, investing time and resources into doing things the right way, without shortcuts. In him, we recognized the unseen hands behind every ingredient: steady, humble, and deeply respectful of the land they work with.

Bringing the Highlands Back to Gia

We did not return to Hanoi with new recipes alone. What we carried back were stories.

Stories that remind us that behind every dish and every cup of coffee lies a human life, lived with care, depth, and intention.

These experiences continue to shape how Gia approaches contemporary Vietnamese cuisine: grounded in origin, respectful of people, and guided by listening before creating.

Gia’s kitchen is open once more. And we move forward, inspired by the mountains and forests of the Central Highlands, grateful for the people who allowed us to see Vietnamese cuisine through a deeper, more human lens.

About Gia

Nestled in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Gia is a contemporary fine dining restaurant proudly listed in the MICHELIN Guide Vietnam. Led by Chef Sam Tran, Gia tells Vietnam’s culinary story through seasonal tasting menus that bridge tradition and innovation. Each dish reflects the restaurant’s philosophy – to honor Vietnamese ingredients, elevate local craftsmanship, and create a dining experience that feels both personal and timeless.

Recognized among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (Top 51–100) and The Best Chef Awards, Gia continues to celebrate Vietnam’s rich gastronomic heritage with modern artistry and quiet confidence.

→ Discover more about Gia: gia-hanoi.com/home