Hue Fig Salad (Va tron)

Va tron is a traditional salad originating from Hue, where it was once prepared for royalty. The salad is made with a combination of boiled local figs, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and either shredded pork or shrimp. The local figs are only available in Central Vietnam, and especially in Hue, making the salad a must-try for first time visitors.

Va tron can be additionally enriched with fried shallots, roasted sesame seeds, and fermented shrimp paste. Nowadays, this salad is usually served hot on special occasions such as weddings and family celebrations, and it's sometimes accompanied by rice crackers called bánh tráng.