Though many Orange County tourists come for a beach vacation, the vibrant culture and energy of Little Saigon aren\u2019t to be missed. Like Seaman, I\u2019ve been visiting since I was a kid, and even more than 20 years on, I still find new things to see and do every time I\u2019m in town.<\/p>\n
Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Little Saigon in Orange County, California.<\/p>\n
Best Things to Do<\/p>\n
Any visit to Little Saigon should start at the Asian Garden Mall<\/a>, also known as Ph\u01b0\u1edbc L\u1ed9c Th\u1ecd. The beating heart of the community, this shopping center has stores selling everything from jade jewelry to traditional Vietnamese sweets to streetwear-inspired Little Saigon merchandise. \u201cIt\u2019s a contrast between the old and the new in that mall, so it’s a good mix,\u201d says Seaman. \u201cIt\u2019s really cool to see.\u201d<\/p>\n The Asian Garden Mall also serves as the venue for many of the community\u2019s annual events. A night market takes place here in the summer, and the local T\u1ebft Nguy\u00ean \u0110\u00e1n (Vietnamese New Year) parade passes right by the front doors. In the days leading up to the Tet festivities, you can also shop through gravity-defying floral arrangements at the Asian Garden Mall\u2019s Flower Festival, modeled off traditional flower markets that crop up in Vietnam around Lunar New Year. \u201cBlooming represents new beginnings, and that\u2019s part of preparing for the New Year,\u201d says Seaman. \u201cYou throw out all your old things, you get a haircut, and you refresh yourself and your home.”<\/p>\n While the Asian Garden Mall has plenty of excitement to offer, take it from me\u2014the area can get overwhelming during peak holidays. To take a well-earned break from Southern California\u2019s famous traffic and crowds, duck into local wellness-focused spaces like Luxury Head Spa & Beauty <\/a>and Zen Head Spa<\/a> for treatments ranging from scalp massages to facials. \u201cThere’s a sprouting wellness scene here,\u201d says Seaman.<\/p>\n Beyond Little Saigon\u2019s many hopping cultural hotspots<\/a>, you may well want to spend some time in quiet reflection, learning more about how Little Saigon came to be. History buffs should visit the Museum of the Republic of Vietnam<\/a> (open from Friday to Sunday) to see exhibits of artifacts from the Vietnam War and read up on the history of South Vietnam. The community also has its very own Vietnam War Memorial at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park, honoring the sacrifices made by American and South Vietnamese soldiers during the war.<\/p>\n Where to Eat and Drink<\/p>\n Full disclosure\u2014listing the best restaurants in Little Saigon could be an article in and of itself. For brevity\u2019s sake, though, we\u2019ll stick to a few must-try restaurants.<\/p>\n Having at least one bowl of pho is all but required during your visit, and my go-to is Pho 79<\/a>. This unassuming eatery received a much-deserved James Beard Award in 2019 for its signature bowls of beef noodle soup, topped with basil, bean sprouts, and other herbs. If you\u2019re interested in sampling a modern take on pho, you can also slurp down some noodles at Phoholic<\/a>, a local chain that\u2019s known for its complex broth and ultra-fresh toppings.<\/p>\n Low on time? Swing by Carrot & Daikon<\/a> for a banh mi sandwich\u2014the Westminster Avenue location even has a drive-thru. Known for their fluffy baguettes, piled high with marinated meats and fresh veggies, \u201cCarrot & Daikon has really elevated the banh mi game,\u201d Seaman says. \u201cThey specialize in th\u1ecbt heo quay, which is crispy pork.\u201d Other options include a classic Vietnamese cold-cut sandwich and a breakfast option featuring slabs of fried Spam.<\/p>\n Fusion options also abound\u2014there\u2019s Nep Cafe<\/a> in Fountain Valley, a standout for its show-stopping bone marrow dishes, and Mama Hieu\u2019s<\/a>, a wings restaurant with eats inspired by traditional Vietnamese sauce recipes. You\u2019ll likely be in dire need of a caffeine boost after all of that food, so head to Re Ca Phe<\/a> for an artisanal espresso or Da Vien<\/a> for egg coffee, a rich, custard-topped drink that originated in 1940s Hanoi but has since spread across the rest of Vietnam and to the U.S.<\/p>\n No matter which dishes and drinks you choose to try in Little Saigon, though, Seaman encourages first-timers to expand their culinary horizons<\/a> and sample a little bit of everything. \u201cIf you want to come to Little Saigon, have your big bowl of pho,\u201d she says. \u201cBut also, don’t forget that Vietnamese cuisine has other dishes, too, like b\u00fan b\u00f2 hu\u1ebf [a spicy, sliced beef noodle soup] and b\u00fan ri\u00eau [a vermicelli soup].\u201d<\/p>\n Where to Stay Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel <\/p>\n The entrance to the Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.<\/p>\n Little Saigon has a few hotel options in the area, including the Ayres Hotel Anaheim<\/a>, which is less than 10 minutes from Disneyland. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa<\/a>, also in Anaheim, is also just minutes from Little Saigon, and the theater-inspired Avenue of the Arts Hotel<\/a> in the neighboring city of Costa Mesa\u00a0is a solid option as well. If you don’t mind a drive, some favorite hotels of Travel + Leisure readers<\/a> in the area include The Ranch at Laguna Beach<\/a> (about 30 minutes away) and Terranea Resort<\/a> (about an hour away in Rancho Palos Verdes).<\/p>\n![\"Avenue](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/f258f6a66d21cbe7030ee44ec995dbc4.jpeg\"\/)
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