Thanh Nien News is reporting that a Vietnamese-American official is proposing a shopping center in San Jose, California that would be called Vietnam Town and would cater to the over 80,000 people of Vietnamese descent that live in the area. This Vietnamese business district would house over two hundred Vietnamese-run businesses and would celebrate the northern, central and southern regions of Viet Nam. Viet Nam Town would also be home to Wal Mart and a large supermarket.

While supporters of Viet Nam Town are excited about offering Vietnamese business owners the opportunity to own their own stores and increasing business in the area, critics worry about the ethnic separatism the plan is suggesting. I can understand the critics’ fears of promoting a separate ethnic area, but the mayor of the town made a good point: there is already an area in town that is full of Vietnamese-run businesses and Vietnamese shoppers. This proposal would only be making it official.

Of course, my opinions are formed as a Vietnamese adoptive mom who would absolutely love to have a place like Viet Nam Town in my town; or even in my state! What an amazing resource for parents of all children to expose their kids to the Vietnamese culture. It is exciting for any town to show an interest in their small business owners (although this plan includes the likes of Wal Mart too, but it’s mostly mom and pop type operations,) and equally as exciting to instill cultural awareness and celebration in its residents.

I know many parents with Vietnamese kids who actively seek out Vietnamese businesses and restaurants to expose their kids to their birth culture. If the proposal is accepted, I know there will be many West Coast families heading to Viet Nam Town to pass the time during their wait to travel and then returning again with their child in tow. What an amazing resource a place like Viet Nam Town would be for families like ours.

Related Link:
Viet Nam Adoption Blog News