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).

Taking “made in Hue” salted coffee flavor far and wide is the aspiration of Pham Ngoc Anh Phuong (born in 1995), Co-founder of Alufa Technology and Trading Co., Ltd., through his investment in researching instant salted coffee product.

Thanks to technology, many delicious dishes from Hue have transcended the borders of their homeland. The unique flavors of the ancient capital are now finding their way to the East and the West, driven by the rise of e-commerce and the entrepreneurial spirit.

I remember the first time I tried this dish was at the Thuy Bieu Thanh Tra Festival in 2022. Walking amidst the shimmering green and golden-yellow stalls of this special local fruit, I picked up a small bag of candied thanh tra peel before heading home. To this day, the flavor of that simple yet rustic treat lingers in my memory.