I Can I request a vegetarian or special meal on the Hue dinner cruise on the Huong River?
You can request a vegetarian or special meal when booking a dinner cruise on the Huong River in Huế. But—and this part matters—you have to let them know in advance. Most boats aren’t running full-on restaurants with à la carte menus, so the meals are prepped ahead of time, often in limited quantities. If you show up last minute asking for “something without meat,” you might get stuck with just plain rice and boiled veggies. Not great.
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The smart move is to mention your dietary preferences right when you book. If you’re booking through a local agency or hotel (which a lot of people do because it’s more convenient), just ask them to pass along the note. Say you’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergic to seafood, whatever it is—they’ll usually accommodate. Some of the better-organized tours even have a quick checkbox for dietary needs during online booking.
On my trip back in March 2024, we booked through a small agency in the Old Town, near Đội Cung Street. We asked for vegetarian meals two days before the cruise. Cost was 650,000đ per person, and they surprised us with a thoughtful tray—stuffed tofu, sautéed morning glory, a mushroom hotpot, and even a little banana dessert that didn’t taste like an afterthought. That level of care doesn’t always happen, so it was a win.
One tip: don’t assume “vegetarian” here means strictly no fish sauce or animal stock unless you say so. If you’re a strict vegan, say it clearly. Use Vietnamese if needed: “Tôi ăn chay trường, không nước mắm, không bơ sữa, không trứng” (I eat vegan—no fish sauce, no dairy, no eggs). Most tour operators will appreciate the heads-up.
Some boats do buffet-style meals, but that’s rarer. Most still set menus with 5–7 courses, depending on the price. So yeah, make your request early. It’s the difference between a memorable riverside dinner… and just watching other people eat while you chew on steamed rice.
If you want recommendations for cruises that are known to handle dietary needs well, I can name a few. But either way, just communicate early. That’s the key.
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