[HANOI] Would you shell out US$100 for a banh mi sandwich or a bowl of pho, both of which could easily be found along the streets of Vietnam for US$2 or even less?

Those eye-watering prices hit the headlines this month after the Michelin Guide made its long-awaited debut in Vietnam.

A total of 103 local eateries, including street food options and fine-dining establishments, were highlighted by the century-old French culinary guide. They cover all sorts of cuisines such as Cantonese, French, Japanese, Latin American and Mediterranean. Seventeen restaurants are devoted mainly to pho, a Vietnamese traditional noodle soup cooked with beef or chicken.