Are there vegetarian or vegan options available on the dragon boat Hue dinner cruise?
Yeah, there are vegetarian and vegan options on most of the dragon boat Hue dinner cruises — especially in places like Huế, where these tours are kinda tailored to both international and local guests. I did one of these cruises back in April 2024, booked through a small local agency near the Perfume River (can’t recall the name, but their office had a bright yellow sign and a super friendly uncle who offered me tea while explaining the menu).
See more details >>> Dinner Cruise on the Dragon Boat with Hue Folk Songs on the Perfume River
I’m vegetarian — not vegan, but I asked a bunch of questions because I travel with a friend who is. The menu we had was surprisingly decent. There was stir-fried morning glory, tofu with tomato sauce (very Vietnamese style, not bland at all), a mixed vegetable hotpot, and lotus seed rice. For dessert, we got fresh fruit — mostly watermelon and pineapple slices — nothing fancy, but clean and sweet.
Now, was it authentically vegan in the strict Western sense? Like, completely free of fish sauce or dairy? That depends on how carefully you request it. Vietnamese kitchens often use fish sauce by default, so you’ve gotta be clear. I actually wrote “không nước mắm, không trứng, không sữa” on my phone and showed it to the crew. They smiled, nodded, and the kitchen adjusted accordingly. If you just say “chay” (vegetarian in Vietnamese), they might still sneak in a bit of fish sauce, thinking it’s okay.
Most boats don’t have à la carte menus — it’s usually a fixed menu set in advance. But if you let them know at least a day ahead, they’ll prepare something. When I booked, I WhatsApp’d the tour company directly and asked about food preferences. It wasn’t a problem. The lady who arranged the cruise even messaged me photos of the dishes to choose from, which was a nice touch.
So yeah, vegetarians and vegans won’t starve on a dragon boat dinner in Huế. Just speak up early. And don’t assume “vegetarian” here means the same thing everywhere. Be specific. Also… bring snacks if you’re picky. Just in case.
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