This special chicken breed originates from Khoái Châu District, Hưng Yên.
Dong Tao Chickens Praised by Chinese Users
“Surely you all know about chickens, right? But did you know there is a breed that at first glance looks terrifying because its thighs are as thick as a human wrist, and its price is sky-high, ranging from 100-120 RMB/kg (approximately 350,000-400,000 VND). Especially, two of these large chicken legs can be sold for up to 1,700 RMB (around 5 million VND)“, a Chinese internet user shared about this special breed from Vietnam on a popular forum in China.
And the famous chicken breed mentioned by the Chinese user is certainly not unfamiliar to us Vietnamese. It is the Dong Tao chicken.
This user further described that the feet of the Dong Tao chicken are very peculiar, both large and rough, looking almost deformed: “The feet of this breed are covered with thick flesh, which is quite scary“.
Another Chinese netizen shared that the Dong Tao chicken legs are among the largest chicken legs in the world, with each leg weighing up to 1 kg. Although it cannot compete with giant chicken breeds in the U.S., in Asia, it is undoubtedly the king of all chickens.
A Dong Tao chicken with huge legs in Vietnam. (Photo: Dân Trí).
One Chinese account even likened the rough red legs of the Dong Tao chicken to the legendary figure Xích cước đại tiên (the Red-footed Immortal).
Everyone agrees that despite having ugly, rough legs, these legs actually double the value of the Dong Tao chicken. “In 2016, a resident in Bình Dương, Vietnam, refused to sell a record Dong Tao chicken with legs weighing 1 kg each for 50 million VND, equivalent to about 15,000 RMB at that time“.
Moreover, according to the Chinese, the reason Dong Tao chickens are so expensive is due to their high nutritional value and their scarcity. The nutritional value of Dong Tao chicken is very high, especially the eggs, which contain twice the protein of regular chicken eggs.
A Noble Chicken Breed in Vietnam
In Vietnam, Dong Tao chickens are also known as Đông Cảo, a rare and endemic breed originating from Khoái Châu District, Hưng Yên. This breed is currently listed among the rare poultry breeds in Vietnam that are being preserved.
Dong Tao chickens are known for their large size, smooth feathers, and imposing appearance, especially their thick, red, and rough legs, weighing between 3.5-4.5 kg when fully grown. Despite their intimidating appearance, the meat of Dong Tao chickens is very delicious. The meat is tender and sweet, not too tough and free of tendons, making it highly sought after.
Historically, this breed was often used as tribute to the king, by nobles, or for ceremonial offerings.
Today, even though they have been bred and raised widely, the price of Dong Tao chickens remains very high. Especially during festive seasons, Dong Tao chickens can quickly sell out due to high demand.
According to Vietnamnet, Dong Tao chickens are always sought after by the wealthy during the Lunar New Year. A survey in the Dong Tao chicken capital of Khoái Châu in 2021 showed that the wholesale price of commercial Dong Tao chickens ranged from 300,000-400,000 VND/kg; while exquisite and beautiful chickens could be priced from 1-2 million VND each or 5-6 million VND each.
In fact, according to Dân Trí, a visually appealing Dong Tao chicken with large legs could be priced at 2,000 USD (over 46 million VND).
Notably, the Dong Tao chicken is not only sought after in Vietnam but has also caught the attention of customers worldwide.
Dân Trí reported that in April 2018, Turkish customs seized over 800 Dong Tao chicken eggs at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul after they were found to be smuggled into the country. At that time, international police valued the Dong Tao chicken eggs at around 2,000 USD each, indicating that regardless of the high price, there are always people willing to pay.
