Apr 22, 2025 - Culture

How the fall of Saigon changed New Orleans

Chelsea Brasted

Three young boys smile as they play with Mardi Gras beads and a Mardi Gras flag. — Children play with Mardi Gras throws in New Orleans East in 1985. Photo: Mark J. Sindler, courtesy of the HNOC, with its acquisition made possible by the Laussat Society.

It's been nearly 50 years since the fall of Saigon, a moment in Vietnamese history that ended up changing New Orleans, too.

Why it matters: Thousands of Vietnamese refugees made their way to New Orleans, forever reshaping the metro area's identity and culture.

The latest: The Historic New Orleans Collection has a new bilingual exhibition examining their cultural contributions through interactive oral histories, photos and family heirlooms, the museum says.

"This exhibition transcends a simple historical account; it is a profound exploration of resilience, faith, and the enduring power of family," according to a press release.

By the numbers: Vietnamese Americans make up the largest share of people with Asian ancestry in the New Orleans metro area, according to the Data Center.

The metro's Vietnamese population tallied more than 17,000 in 2020, a number that had more than doubled since 1980 with growth primarily in Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes, the Data Center says.

If you go: The HNOC is free to visit, and the exhibition will be up through Oct. 5. Website.

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How the fall of Saigon changed New Orleans

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