The historic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has a new head chef, with Italian Ivan Negro taking up the role.

Negro, who was recently working at Four Seasons restaurants in the Maldives, takes over as head chef at Angelina, the landmark hotel's three year old Italian restaurant.

Angelina is a 120 seat restaurant located on the ground floor of the hotel, and was opened in October 2008.

Hotel management say the aim is to build on Angelina's reputation as the most chic Italian dining opportunity in Vietnam.

"Ivan's mission is evolution, not revolution," says Kai Speth, the hotel's general manager. "He's inheriting a menu that was established in 2009 but is about to acquire subtle shades of difference. A new chef is almost always an incredible new opportunity."