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Asian Garden Mall in Westminster, California
After the fall of Saigon in 1975, many Vietnamese civilians fled to other countries. Many of them that fled to the United States called the cities of Garden Grove and Westminster their new home, and the district of Little Saigon emerged in the 1980s with the opening of local Vietnamese businesses in the area. Even to this day, Little Saigon is home to the largest population of Vietnamese Americans in the U.S. The first shopping mall that opened in Little Saigon is the Asian Garden Mall, named as such to attract customers and investors that may not be Vietnamese. Locally, the mall is called by its Vietnamese name Phước Lộc Thọ, referring to the three deities of fortune, prosperity, and longevity. Developed in 1986, its large building became the central meeting point in Little Saigon as well as the center for cultural events and political rallies. More than 200 stores can be found in the mall, all small businesses that are owned locally. There is also a food court with authentic Vietnamese food along with other foods that can be found across Asia. The mall is also the starting point for the annual Tết parade, organized by the city of Westminster and celebrating the arrival of spring according to the Vietnamese calendar. In the summer, the parking lot is transformed into a night market.
After the fall of Saigon in 1975, many Vietnamese civilians fled to other countries. Many of them that fled to the United States called the cities of Garden Grove and Westminster their new home, and the district of Little Saigon emerged in the 1980s with the opening of local Vietnamese businesses in the area. Even to this day, Little Saigon is home to the largest population of Vietnamese Americans in the U.S.
The first shopping mall that opened in Little Saigon is the Asian Garden Mall, named as such to attract customers and investors that may not be Vietnamese. Locally, the mall is called by its Vietnamese name Phước Lộc Thọ, referring to the three deities of fortune, prosperity, and longevity. Developed in 1986, its large building became the central meeting point in Little Saigon as well as the center for cultural events and political rallies.
More than 200 stores can be found in the mall, all small businesses that are owned locally. There is also a food court with authentic Vietnamese food along with other foods that can be found across Asia. The mall is also the starting point for the annual Tết parade, organized by the city of Westminster and celebrating the arrival of spring according to the Vietnamese calendar. In the summer, the parking lot is transformed into a night market.
