From Vietnam to Versailles

The Vietnamese enclave, Versailles, in New Orleans, LA is facing diminished economic conditions since Hurricane Katrina and lacks the institutional completeness exhibited in other Vietnamese enclaves. The Vietnamese Americans of Versailles have created a sense of place for themselves in New Orleans and a Vietnamese identity through their social and cultural capital; however, there is an opportunity to develop a stronger Vietnamese identity in efforts to revitalize the enclave. 

A literature review of Vietnamese history and culture, including the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees ​in the United States, was conducted. Following this literature review, an analysis of Little Saigon in Westminster, CA​ revealed important aspects of its economic success, including the roles of Vietnamese style architecture and the transference of former Saigon onto a California landscape. This research led to a study of the resettlement of Vietnamese in Versailles, New Orleans, which included an analysis of the Vietnamese identity in this enclave and its role in the community's resilience following Hurricane Katrina.​

Initial research presented opportunities to better understand the Vietnamese of Versailles and recommendations that could improve the viability of the community. The role of Vietnamese architecture in the success of Little Saigon should be researched further, including a detailed analysis of the Design Standards Manual by the City of Westminster. The implementation of Vietnamese architecture and design provides a possibility to revitalize the retail district of Versailles and foster the institutional completeness exhibited in Little Saigon. The development of a strong Vietnamese identity through architecture and design will contribute to the retention of younger residents and attraction of outsiders, thereby stimulating economic opportunities.

[For more details, please contact me.]