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Little Saigon is a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and community. This page highlights the latest programs, initiatives, and events that support local businesses, enhance the streetscape, and celebrate the area’s unique heritage.
News
City of Westminster Selects Los Angeles-based HKLA to Launch Little Saigon Streetscape Feasibility Study
The City of Westminster has engaged Hongjoo Kim Landscape Architects (HKLA) to launch the Little Saigon Streetscape Feasibility Study; an initiative aimed at honoring the cultural heritage of this iconic district and amplifying it into a world-class tourist destination.
The Little Saigon Streetscape Feasibility Study seeks to revitalize Bolsa Avenue by creating a vibrant, walkable streetscape that enhances modern public infrastructure with updated lighting, art and culture installations, and public use furniture such as benches, signs, bus shelters, and bicycle stands.
"Little Saigon is not just a cultural landmark, it's a vital part of Westminster's history and its future," said Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen. "We are excited to work with HKLA on a plan that honors the area's cultural heritage and propels Little Saigon into the future."
Los Angeles-based HKLA has been a City of Westminster on-call landscape architect, and previously designed the new Garden Grove Civic Center Park and Police Department Facility. That project is ongoing, with estimated completion in 2027. For its work on the Garden Grove project, HKLA received the 2025 Southern California Development Forum Citation Award — Urban Design/Planning.
"Together with the City of Westminster and the Little Saigon community, HKLA is inspired by the opportunity to reimagine this district as a dynamic regional destination—a vibrant, walkable, and culturally expressive streetscape that celebrates heritage, energizes local businesses, and fosters inclusive, climate-responsive public spaces for gathering, connection, and celebration," said Hongjoo Kim, who has more than 29 years of experience in landscape architecture. Kim will be the project lead.
The Study is funded by a $250,000 grant received from the State of California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative that supports several key initiatives in the City's Little Saigon Blueprint for Economic Vitality and Quality of Place. In addition to the streetscape study, grant funds have been used for Little Saigon outreach efforts focused on economic development and business growth, and community engagement; a Pilot Soap and Water Program completed in early February, and Little Saigon brand identity integration and outreach.
"After spending time at the Tet Festival, we really felt the energy and cultural pride that make Little Saigon so special," said HKLA Associate Yifei Yan, who will be working on the Little Saigon project. "It's clear there's a great opportunity to elevate Bolsa Avenue into a vibrant regional destination—adding more shade, greenery, and pedestrian comfort while creating a strong, cohesive identity. We're genuinely excited to help shape a welcoming, multi-generational place that celebrates the community and feels as dynamic as great streets around the world."
Learn more about Little Saigon: westminster-ca.gov/our-city/about-westminster/little-saigon.
Learn more about the City of Westminster: westminster-ca.gov.
Rendering for the Garden Grove Civic Center Park and Police Department Facility
Blueprint for Investment
Background
Little Saigon has long been a vibrant center for Vietnamese culture and commerce, initially emerging to support Vietnamese refugees and entrepreneurs. Over time, the community has evolved, with younger generations developing new preferences for shopping, dining, and services. Meanwhile, as Orange County grows and diversifies, and digital platforms like Yelp and Instagram broaden Little Saigon's reach, the neighborhood faces a pivotal moment. Its original role as an immigrant hub has largely been fulfilled, but its cultural and historical significance risks being overshadowed by these changes.
Overview
In Fall 2020, the City commissioned a study by Streetsense to develop actionable strategies for enhancing Little Saigon’s economic vitality and cultural importance. The study, or “Blueprint,” aims to build on the area’s existing assets and identify improvements that will attract and retain diverse businesses and visitors. With over 700 businesses, $938.6 million in annual sales, and its status as a key cultural hub for the Vietnamese community, maintaining Little Saigon’s vibrancy is essential.
Recommendations
The Blueprint addresses the challenges facing Little Saigon and offers a series of recommendations based on extensive research and input from the Little Saigon Advisory Committee, which includes local stakeholders. Key recommendations include:
- Appoint a Little Saigon community outreach leader
- Establish management entities for Little Saigon
- Develop a Little Saigon district brand and logo
- Design and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy
- Establish a civic art program
- Create a Little Saigon pop-up activation program
- Pilot a soap-and-water improvement block program
- Support the creation of shared parking
- Increase street furniture and landscaping on Bolsa Avenue
For more detailed information, you can access the full report by clicking below.
Little Saigon: Blueprint for Investment
