Public Places : Little Saigon: ‘A Tour of Asia Without Air Fare’

Orange County’s Vietnamese have come to the United States in waves since the fall of Saigon in 1975. Many settled in Little Saigon, which has become a focal point for the more than 130,000 Vietnamese in Southern California. Starting with a single market in 1978, the district grew along Bolsa Avenue in Westminster, where rents were low. It now has 1,800 mostly family-owned businesses, ranging from herbal pharmacies to French-style cafes. Recently approved design guidelines aim to ensure that new construction reinforces the area’s ethnic identity.

FRANK JAO

Developer, Westminster, came to this country in 1975

In 1980 I converted an industrial park into an Asian shopping center. To make a statement that this was an Asian center, we put in a Chinese-style pagoda gate. Shopping centers today should have cultural elements.

The culture of Vietnam has always been mixed. Chinese culture and institutions have been very well blended into Vietnamese culture for thousands of years. Then came the French influence in the 1900s followed by American culture in recent years. In Little Saigon there are a majority of Vietnamese and Chinese but we also find people from Cambodia, Laos and even Thailand.

Little Saigon is a quick tour to Asia without having to spend 18 hours on the airplane and $2,000 for the air fare.

HIEU PHAN

Architect, Westminster, came to this country in 1971

Masses of Vietnamese people come down Saturday or Sunday to seek each other for comfort and support. People need a place to hang out or just watch people.

If you drive through Little Saigon, you see a lot of nondescript buildings. When you think about an Oriental country, you see a certain image, a glazed tile curved roof which is pretty much the trademark of Asian architecture. The city of Westminster realized something must be done in Little Saigon to reflect its character. They created the design guidelines, which I think are an excellent idea to create an identity. The guidelines allow two styles, Asian and French Colonial, that are very popular in Vietnam.

Ten years from now, it will have made a difference. The area has potential to become a tourist attraction as it is just a few miles from Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland.

Public Places columnist Jane Spiller welcomes suggestions for places that are publicly accessible and free. Contact her c/o Voices.