The Name " LITTLE SAIGON "
Little Saigon is a name given to ethnic enclaves of expatriate Vietnamese mainly in English-speaking free countries. Alternate names include Little Vietnam and Little Hanoi (mainly in historically communist nations), depending on the enclave's political history. Saigon is the former name of the capital of the former South Vietnam, where a large number of first-generation Vietnamese immigrants arriving to the United States originate,[1] whereas Hanoi is the current capital of Vietnam.
Whereas Saigon was the former capital of South Vietnam, which part of the country the Vietnamese-Americans in San Jose have had called home and had to leave behind when the Vietnamese Communists took over on April 30th, 1975.
Whereas "Little Saigon" is a favorite name throughout the United States in cities where a large number of Vietnamese-American migrs live and conduct business remind them of their proud origin and inspire civic pride.. "Little Saigon" in San Francisco and in Santa Ana-Westminter are the best examples of this cultural respect.
Whereas the name "Little Saigon" almost always goes hand in hand in places throughout the United States where the former Vietnam's heritage flag with three red stripes on a yellow background is honored and recognized.
Whereas the name of Saigon is inseparable from the people of Vietnameven when the Vietnamese communists took over the whole country and the city of Saigon has been changed to Ho Chi Minh city, which name change is considered an insult to most Vietnamese, especially those living abroad because it is a traditional and historic name for all Vietnamese.
Whereas the word Vietnam in "Vietnamese business district" does not distinguish between the historic Republic of Vietnam or Communist Vietnam and does not fully express the Vietnamese-Americans identity who emigrated in large numbers since 1975 from the Republic of Vietnam.
Whereas the city of San Jose, which is home to the largest poulation of Vietnamese in a single city in the Unites States, has recognized the former South Vietnam Heritage Flag and should recognize the name "Little Saigon" as other cities throughout the United States have done.
Therefore, we the undersigned, respectfully petition Mayor Chuck Reed, Councilwoman Madison Nguyen and the City of San Jose City Council to adopt the name "Little Saigon" instead of Vietnamese Business District for the area of Story Road between Highway 101 and Senter/Keyes Road, which is the largest concentration of Vietnamese-American businesses in San Jose.
