Day 55: Little Saigon, Houston, Texas
📌APIA Every Day (55) - Little Saigon or Vietnamtown in Midtown Houston gained official recognition in 2004, featuring Vietnamese street signs established since 1998. Asian developers, particularly Vietnamese businesses along Bellaire Boulevard, have thrived in Southwest Houston since the 1990s, influenced by the aftermath of the 1980s oil glut. In the 1980s, a significant influx of Vietnamese refugees was initially designated to military bases in Pennsylvania, Arkansas, California, and Florida. However, a secondary migration occurred as families traveled across the country to reunite, leading to the reunion of Vietnamese families in Texas.
Texas was an appealing destination for Vietnamese immigrants due to its booming economy, affordable cost of living, a climate similar to Vietnam, and proximity to the ocean. As of December 1991, over 60,000 Vietnamese individuals resided in Houston, relocating to the area after the Ku Klux Klan targeted Vietnamese fishers and shrimpers near Seadrift, TX, considering them an "economic threat" to the fishing industry. The U.S. government, alongside charitable and religious organizations, provided support for housing, healthcare, education, and job training. Since then, the Vietnamese population has thrived, contributing to flourishing residential areas, businesses, and gaining prominence in Texas media and politics. Additionally, Vietnamese is now the third most-spoken language in the state.
In 2003, architect Nghiep Nguyen designed a Vietnam War memorial for Little Saigon, debuting in 2005 as a prominent landmark. Over a decade later, city council members assigned Vietnamese street names, such as Saigon Blvd (Dai Lo Saigon), on Bellaire Blvd in 2015. Vietnamese individuals continue to migrate to Houston, seeking job opportunities and a lower cost of living while integrating into the Little Saigon community, solidifying Houston's position as the third-largest Vietnamese community in the U.S.
LEARN MORE:
NPR: Decades After Clashing With The Klan, A Thriving Vietnamese Community In Texas
Los Angeles Times: Little Saigon Lays Roots in Houston
ABC13: Stories of Vietnamese Refugees Who Made All-or-Nothing Escape and Rebuilt Their Lives
The NY Times: Houston Aide Accused of Ill-Treating Vietnamese
CHRON: Vietnamese-Americans Serve Houston's Diversity
Houstonia: The Story Behind Asiatown’s Vietnam War Memorial
Houston Chronicle: From the archives: Vietnamese refugees in Texas
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