In Binh Minh commune, Tho Bang village has become locally known as the “rat meat village” of Nghe An. Once a seasonal pest control activity, field rat hunting has transformed into a profitable side occupation for the locals. During idle farming seasons, the entire village heads out to the fields to hunt rats. Some return with earnings in the millions of dong after just one night.

Initially, villagers hunted rats simply to protect their crops. Over time, rat meat gained popularity as a delicacy in various regions, prompting locals to invest in specialized equipment such as steel traps, metal cages, flashlights, and motorbikes.

Nguyen Thi Lan, a local resident, shared, “We used to hunt rats just to protect the harvest. But after processing, rat meat turned out to be surprisingly delicious. When we saw it selling well, people began investing in proper trapping tools.”

Thanks to this practice, many families in the area have seen their living standards improve.

After each harvest, hundreds of residents from Binh Minh and nearby areas make the most of their free time by buying traps and cages to join in the hunt. From dawn to dusk, the fields are bustling with people catching rats and delivering them to local collection centers.

For the past two months, husband and wife Cung Dinh Linh and Luong Thi Hong, both born in 1972, have been hunting rats daily. They've invested in nearly 300 traps and travel across districts to track down rats.

On average, they collect about 40 kilograms of rats per night, earning more than 1.5 million VND (about $60) each time.

“Though the work is tough and sometimes we stay up all night setting traps, the income is decent. Before, we hunted only for food. Now, with growing demand and buyers, it's become a real side business,” said Hong.

She is not alone. Cung Dinh Phong, born in 1964, also hunts rats nightly. On some days, he delivers nearly 70 kilograms of rats to the collection points, earning over 2 million VND (about $80) after deducting expenses.

“This job doesn’t require much capital, but it does need experience and persistence. Live rats fetch a higher price, so we must be careful when setting traps. In some places, locals even welcome us because we help reduce crop damage,” Phong shared.

The rats are often singed with straw before being cooked into various dishes. Locals have developed a taste for them, especially when prepared with traditional spices.

Tran Danh Thuc, a newcomer from Quan Thanh commune, has just joined the trade. After hearing about it from friends, he bought traps and gave it a try. “Even on my first attempt, I earned cash, which made me excited. I plan to learn more and do better,” he said.

Recently, the rat collection point run by Cung Dinh Mau in Hamlet 1 of Tho Bang village has seen a steady stream of deliveries. Rats arrive packed in sacks or metal cages, stacked in the yard, ready to be sorted and shipped.

Mau said his center currently buys more than one ton of rats per day and delivers them to northern provinces like Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Hung Yen.

At present, there are about 2–3 rat collection facilities in Binh Minh commune, each buying between 500 kilograms to 1 ton of rats daily. Purchase prices range from 40,000 to 60,000 VND per kilogram (about $1.60–$2.40), depending on size and weight. For customers wanting pre-prepared meat, prices jump to 120,000–150,000 VND per kilogram ($4.80–$6.00).

According to the local People’s Committee, Hamlet 1 of Tho Bang village has over 330 households and more than 1,100 residents. Among them, around 100 people regularly participate in rat hunting. Thanks to the trade, many families have built new homes, sent their children to school, and improved their household finances.

A representative from the Binh Minh Economic Office noted, “We encourage people to participate in rat hunting as it not only protects crops but also helps prevent disease and improves sanitation. This model has increased income for many households and contributed to improved quality of life.”

Thien Luong