Boston Little Saigon Cultural District
Boston Little Saigon is a cultural district in the Fields Corner neighborhood of Dorchester.
The district is known for its rich Vietnamese American culture, and its contributions to Boston's immigrant history.
About the District
The district spans Dorchester Avenue in the Fields Corner neighborhood of Dorchester. It is a vibrant and diverse area, and is home to 75% of Vietnamese Americans in the City of Boston. The district hosts:
- the nation’s first Vietnamese American Community Center, and
- the Luc Hoa Buddhist Center and Temple.
There are more than 200 shops, services, and restaurants in Little Saigon. Key cultural assets include:
- Dorchester Art Project
- the Fields Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library, and
- Fields Corner Main Street.
The movement to designate Boston Little Saigon gained momentum in 2018 when NOVA Boston became the lead entity for the proposal.
The Mass Cultural Council voted to designate the Boston Little Saigon Cultural District on May 18, 2021. This was the final step in formalizing the district. It followed a December 2019 resolution by Boston City Council.
Mission of the DistrictBoston Little Saigon aims to recognize and preserve the Vietnamese American culture in the area. It also strives to highlight the community’s contributions to Boston's immigrant history. The district is working to help local arts and humanities improve the quality and range of public programs. We want more local families to benefit from them. Goals of the district include to:
- establish the district as a tourist destination
- instill a sense of pride and ownership in the community
- attract new businesses into the area, and
- reinvent a point of attraction for Vietnamese American cuisine, events, language programs, businesses and organizations.