(TITC) – Dong Tao chicken (also known as Dong Cao chicken) is a heritage breed with a long history in northern Vietnam. According to local tradition, this unique chicken was once offered as tribute to kings and used in ceremonial rituals during important occasions. Today, high-quality products made from Dong Tao chicken not only provide stable income for local farmers but also attract visitors who come to explore, learn about, and savor one of Hung Yen Province’s most renowned specialties.
OCOP Products from Dong Tao Chicken
Originating in Dong Tao Commune of Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province – now part of Hoan Long Commune – Dong Tao chicken is instantly recognizable for its unusually large, sturdy legs, red skin, muscular build, firm meat, and distinctive flavor. An adult rooster typically weighs between 5–7 kg, while hens range from 3.5–4 kg.
Over generations, the people of Hoan Long have accumulated refined traditional knowledge in breeding selection, egg incubation, care, disease prevention, and culinary preparation. This expertise ensures that Dong Tao meat remains sweet, fragrant, and rich without being greasy – tender yet firm. The breed is used in a wide variety of traditional dishes, such as steamed Dong Tao chicken with lime leaves, stir-fried chicken with lemongrass and chili, stewed chicken with lemongrass, honey-lemon grilled chicken, grilled chicken with galangal and fermented rice, herbal chicken-leg stew, and chicken skin mixed with roasted rice powder.
To meet increasingly diverse market demands, local farms and processing facilities have innovated continuously in recent years. Beyond fresh chicken meat, many new specialty products have emerged, including Dong Tao chicken sausage, marinated chicken legs with lemongrass and kumquat, salted chicken, Dong Tao pork roll (giò), and more. These products retain the signature flavor of Dong Tao chicken while catering to modern consumer preferences.
Many items have been certified as 3-star and 4-star OCOP products. Beautifully packaged and equipped with clear traceability labels, these products enhance the Dong Tao brand’s credibility, expanding its reach not only within Hung Yen but also to other regions across Vietnam.
Agricultural Tourism in the Dong Tao Chicken Region
Today, more than 2,000 households in Hoan Long Commune are involved in Dong Tao chicken farming. The occupation has become a cultural hallmark of the region, a major livelihood for local residents, and a key contributor to improving living standards and advancing new rural development.
Breeders have formed cooperatives and production groups, applying modern techniques in incubation and breed management while still preserving traditional selection criteria – evaluating chickens based on leg shape, head structure, wing feathering, and seasonal farming methods. This combination of scientific innovation and ancestral knowledge not only safeguards the heritage breed but also strengthens its commercial value.
At the same time, the locality is developing agricultural tourism experiences. Visitors can directly participate in feeding the chickens, learning breeding techniques, and preparing signature Dong Tao dishes. These hands-on activities transform the heritage into a vivid and engaging experience, helping preserve cultural identity while creating sustainable livelihoods for the community.
Thanks to its unique qualities and strong cultural significance, Dong Tao chicken has become both a premium specialty and a symbol of Hung Yen’s agricultural heritage – one that continues to evolve, attract visitors, and contribute to rural prosperity.
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