Hue is a heritage city, but Hue’s cultural strength does not lie solely in its citadel, palaces, royal tombs, or historic architecture. Behind these tangible forms of heritage lies a vibrant world of music, festivals, beliefs, traditional crafts, cuisine, clothing, and folk knowledge. This is the ‘soul’ that gives Hue its distinctive identity.

Among about 3,000 dishes documented nationwide, over 1,700 are believed to be prepared in Hue styles, bearing the distinctive hallmarks of the former imperial capital’s cuisine. This rich culinary heritage is one of the key reasons that Hue has chosen gastronomy as the focus of its application to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

Beyond a celebration of Hue Beef Noodle, the iconic dish of the Ancient Capital, the Hue - Culinary Capital 2026 program has become a vibrant showcase of culinary excellence from across Vietnam. From Hue’s traditional flavors to regional specialties from every corner of the country, each food stall and every dish tells a story of Vietnam’s rich cultural identity, taking visitors on a journey that awakens all their senses.

Not overly elaborate yet remarkably refined, the harmonious and refreshing flavors of Hue's cuisine have a unique charm for many visitors when summer comes.

On the afternoon of April 10th, Hue Tourism College (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), in coordination with Cholimex Food Joint Stock Company, organized the 7th season of the “Searching for Hue Culinary Ambassadors” contest under the theme of “Preserving and Promoting the Essence of Hue Cuisine”.

Through an introduction from Ms. Samantha Colón of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (Nevada, USA), I was scheduled to meet Jamie Tran, the owner of “The Black Sheep” restaurant, to talk about cuisine and our shared homeland of Hue...

Hue cuisine is evolving with new “interfaces,” maintaining its traditional spirit while adapting to modern trends, particularly catering to the tastes of young people.

On the afternoon of October 8, Hue College of Tourism coordinated with Cholimex Foods to hold a contest titled “Finding Hue’s Culinary Ambassador - Season 6” with the theme “Hue Cuisine in the Green Flow - Creativity for Sustainable Development”.

Hue culture with its typical characteristics of the land is portrayed through many unique cultural values such as cuisine, clothing, garden house architecture, education, music, theater, language, and poetry. These values have become great potential for Hue to become an important tourist center of Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Hue Ancient Capital is a paradise for vegetarian cuisine. On the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, even restaurants that usually serve meat often switch entirely to vegetarian dishes. This is hardly surprising, given that Hue is one of Vietnam’s major Buddhist centers, a land steeped in spiritual traditions, where eating vegetarian food has become a beautiful cultural feature.

There are 40 stalls selling typical dishes located in front of the main gate of the market. The shops have signs, menus, pictures, and price listings in Vietnamese and English to help diners conveniently choose the dish.

In harmony with the festive atmosphere of 2024, Hue City People's Committee organizes Hue Traditional Cuisine Week 2024 at Thuong Bac Park from April 27 to May 1