Welcoming Refugees

Fifty years ago, the city of Saigon fell ending the Vietnam War. Following the war, a large wave of Vietnamese immigrants arrived in the United States as refugees, particularly to California and Texas. The South Bay eventually became home to one of the largest Vietnamese communities outside Vietnam. San Jose’s current Vietnamese population is over 140,000, or approximately 14% of the city’s total population. One reason for the attraction to San Jose was the availability of jobs and affordable housing within the emerging Silicon Valley.

Friends and Neighbors

 I recall seeing many Vietnamese immigrants when I was attending San Jose City College in the late 1970s. I worked with two Vietnamese students at the library there, Huy and Dung (pronounced “Yoomb”).  Since those early days, the community has blossomed with many businesses, restaurants, shopping malls, festivals, community and religious organizations, and political representatives, all making tremendous contributions to the diverse cultures that make up our city.

Scouting

Not long after the arrival of refugees from Vietnam, they began establishing businesses and organizations. Among these were the Dien Hong Youth Foundation, which was established in 1981. The foundation works with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America and currently supports Boy Scout Troop 230, Girl Scout Troop 61679, Venturing Scouts Crew 230, and Cub Scout Pack 216. Boy Scout Troop 610 (shown at left) which was organized in 2006 is shown at left at History Park earlier this year. San Jose has many Vietnamese American scout troops such as 285/2285 (est. 1985), and 745/2745 (est. 2018) which includes both a Cub Scout pack and a Venture crew. 

Religion

Religion has played an important role in shaping Vietnamese culture, particularly with family values, ethics, and the arts. Folk, Buddhism, and Christianity (primarily Catholicism) are the predominant religions in Vietnam. A number of Vietnamese temples and churches have been established in San Jose, including the Duc Vien and Pao Hua Buddhist temples, as well as San Jose Vietnamese Church and Our Lady of La Vang.   

Organizations

A great number of Vietnamese American community organizations have developed over the years. They include the Vietnamese American Service Center, the Vietnamese American Community Center, various Vietnamese chambers of commerce, the Viet Museum at History Park, and the Viet Heritage Garden.

Businesses

Ethnic enclaves play a very important role. As evidenced by San Jose's Chinatowns, Japantown, and Pinoytown, they support the community's economic, social, and cultural needs. Besides the sizeable Little Saigon area, other enclaves include the Lion Plaza on Tully Road, and the area near Silver Creek and Aborn Road. 

Politics

Political influence is steadily growing within the Vietnamese community both locally and nationally. In San Jose, Madison Nguyen was the first Vietnamese American elected to the City Council in 2005 and also served as Vice-Mayor. Betty Duong recently became the first Vietnamese American elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Councilmember Bien Doan is the currently representing District 7.  

Exhibit: From Saigon to San Jose: Celebrating Our Vietnamese Community

About the Exhibit

A collection of materials reflecting the presence and culture of San Jose's Vietnamese American community.

More Details

• Date:  August through October 2025
• Time:  During California Room hours
• Where:  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library California Room 5th floor
• Cost:  Free

Further Reading in the California Room:

• The Vietnamese in the City of San Jose:  a Demographic Profile by the San Jose Department of City Planning
• A Selection of Readings on Socio-cultural Values and Problems of the Vietnamese in the United States: a Special Project for the Vietnamese Culture Week at San Jose City College from April 18 to 25, 1990 by the Vietnamese Student Association, San Jose City College
• The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
• Hidden Heritages: San José’s Vietnamese Legacy Exhibit by Michael Lara
• Santa Clara County Leaders Show Support for Little Saigon Freeway by Brandon Pho, San Jose Spotlight