The History of Vietnamese-Americans in Philadelphia
The Vietnamese community of Philadelphia is one of city’s newer Asian-American populations, reaching nearly 13,000, according to the 2000 Census. The majority of Philadelphia’s Vietnamese community resides in South Philadelphia, where small enclaves and malls (largely located along Washington Avenue) populated with Vietnamese businesses, stores, restaurants and community organizations continue to grow and flourish.
Like other immigrant communities before it, the Vietnamese population has established a strong presence in the racially mixed neighborhood of South Philly with its bustling Italian Market and growing Mexican-American community.
The First Wave of Immigration
At the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, 125,000 Vietnamese refugees arrived in the U.S. This first and largest wave of refugees consisted of former South Vietnamese military and government officials who had collaborated with the U.S. They came to the U.S. with their families seeking freedom from the communist take over by North Vietnamese forces. Volunteers from the first wave helped establish the Vietnamese United National Association of Greater Philadelphia which provided vital human services for recent immigrants and refugees.
Philadelphia’s Vietnamese-American Community Today
Philadelphia’s Vietnamese-American population continues to hold strong ties to their Vietnamese heritage. Annual events such as Tet (Vietnamese New Year), the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival and the Moon Festival in October bring the community together to celebrate its history. Cultural centers like the Chua Bo De Buddhist Temple and Hung Vuong Association also provide a way to keep in touch with Vietnamese religious and cultural traditions.
As the Vietnamese-American population in the tri-state area continues to grow, the Vietnamese shops, restaurants, businesses and organizations in South Philadelphia serve as a touchstone and cultural hub for the community as it continues to develop into a flourishing and fascinating Philadelphia neighborhood.