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What kind of food is served during the Hue dinner cruise on the Huong River?

On the Huong River dinner cruise in Hue, the food is… honest. Nothing too fancy. But it hits that sweet spot between local charm and enough comfort to make you relax into the night. It’s a mix of traditional Hue dishes — the kind you’d find in someone’s home — and a few plates made to suit tourists who might not be ready for full-on fermented shrimp paste or bánh bèo loaded with pork crackling.

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Let’s get specific. Last time I went — that was early May 2024 — we boarded around 6:30 PM, just before sunset. The cruise lasted about 1.5 to 2 hours. The meal started with a small plate of salads, served with rice paper and herbs. Pretty basic, but the peanut dipping sauce had that extra kick — not too sweet, a little funky, definitely homemade.

Then came the soups. They served a mini portion of Bánh Bèo, Mậm, and Lọc Huế. Now, don’t expect a full steaming bowl like you’d get on Nguyễn Du street at 7 in the morning. It’s more of a tasting — enough to let you feel the spice and lemongrass, but not so much that it fogs up your glasses. If you’ve never had bún bò before, this is a good intro.

The mains were where it got more “set-menu” style. Stir-fried morning glory with garlic. A plate of caramelized clay-pot fish — cá bống kho tộ — was decent. I asked the staff where they sourced the fish, and one of them smiled and said “làng chài Bao Vinh” — a small fishing village just upriver. Whether that was true or just for the vibe, I liked the story. It made the dish feel more grounded.

You also get steamed rice and a side of thịt kho trứng — slow-braised pork belly with boiled eggs in sweet-savory sauce. Not very photogenic, but comforting as hell.

Dessert was simple: chè bắp (sweet corn pudding). Served cold, with a little coconut milk on top. Not too sugary. The kind of dessert that doesn’t demand attention, but leaves you quietly satisfied.

And yes, for vegetarians, they do offer a plant-based version, though you’ll need to let them know when booking. My friend got tofu with lemongrass, a veggie stir-fry, and a vegan version of the corn pudding. No mock meats, which I appreciated.

Drinks? Not included in most cruise tickets. A bottle of Huda beer was about 30.000 VND. I went with iced lotus tea — 20.000 VND — subtle, slightly floral, didn’t compete with the food.

Is it the best meal you’ll have in Hue? No. But under those paper lanterns, with the river gently pushing you past quiet pagodas and old French buildings, it doesn’t have to be. The food fits the moment — warm, familiar, just enough to anchor you while the music carries you somewhere else. So yeah. You won’t leave stuffed, but you’ll leave with something better.