The gastronomy of Hue and its vicinity, including the area along the Perfume River, has a storied history connected to the imperial legacy of the Nguyen Dynasty. Once the capital of Vietnam, Hue boasts a culinary tradition that harmonizes royal cuisine with the everyday fare of commoners. The abundance of fresh produce from the fertile banks of the Perfume River, combined with the variety of fresh seafood from the nearby coast, contributes to the region's distinctive food culture. Nuances in flavor and presentation can be traced back to the meticulous culinary demands of past emperors, whose preference for refinement and sophistication helped to shape Hue’s unique culinary identity.