Immunotherapy is revolutionizing the clinical management of cancer patients by modulating T cells and natural killer cells. Dendritic cells (DCs) have the capacity to orchestrate the expansion and function of these effector cells both in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues of cancer patients. Distinct subtypes of DCs have various capacities to prime and activate different T cell responses. Here, we review conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) and their crucial role in protective anti-tumor immunity. Targeting cDC1s as a cancer vaccine against the development of hepatocellular carcinoma will be discussed.