Little Saigons in the US: A story about community and adaptation from 1988 to 2024

Abstract

After the fall of Saigon in 1975, thousands of Vietnamese refugees fled to the US, initiating a significant wave of Vietnamese immigration. With assistance from resettlement agencies and sponsors, Vietnamese immigrants were resettled throughout the country. Despite this dispersion, many Vietnamese refugees clustered together and formed enclaves, which soon became known as Little Saigons. While the first Little Saigon was officially recognized in 1988, they began to take shape in the preceding decade. Since their development, Vietnamese enclaves have encountered various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Vietnamese Americans have been actively working to preserve their enclaves. Exploring Little Saigons across the West, Northeast, Midwest, and South reveals their profound historical and cultural significance. These enclaves provided Vietnamese refugees with economic stability and a sense of community reminiscent of their lost homeland. Moreover, they served as crucial links to Vietnamese culture, granting access to Vietnamese goods and services. Additionally, Little Saigons served as central gathering spaces for socializing and celebrating cultural events, fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging among Vietnamese immigrants. The enduring importance of Little Saigons to Vietnamese Americans underscores the need for their protection and preservation, a sentiment that extends to other ethnic enclaves as well.