Just a few miles away from Disneyland and Huntington Beach, there’s a neighborhood where most advertisements are in Vietnamese, where the sounds of overlapping languages hover on every street corner, and where you can grab an icy cup of ca phe sua da (Vietnamese coffee) to cool down on a hot day. This is Orange County’s Little Saigon, and it’s home to one of the world’s largest enclaves of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam itself.

Little Saigon spans across four different cities: Westminster, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, and Santa Ana. It’s a tight-knit, thriving community, and delicious Vietnamese food can be found just about everywhere you turn.

A little more than 50 years ago, the area looked very different. Little Saigon developed in the 1970s and ‘80s, as refugees from South Vietnam fled the aftermath of the Vietnam War and moved to Southern California. “Back then, there was no infrastructural backing, and then little by little, there were these real estate investments that became restaurants, that became other services,” says Dana Seaman, a content creator, second-generation Vietnamese American, and lifelong visitor of Little Saigon. “It created this hub for new people to begin a life here very strongly and successfully.”

Though many Orange County tourists come for a beach vacation, the vibrant culture and energy of Little Saigon aren’t to be missed. Like Seaman, I’ve 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’m in town.

Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Little Saigon in Orange County, California.

Best Things to Do

Any visit to Little Saigon should start at the Asian Garden Mall, also known as Phước Lộc Thọ. 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. “It’s a contrast between the old and the new in that mall, so it’s a good mix,” says Seaman. “It’s really cool to see.”

The Asian Garden Mall also serves as the venue for many of the community’s annual events. A night market takes place here in the summer, and the local Tết Nguyên Đán (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’s Flower Festival, modeled off traditional flower markets that crop up in Vietnam around Lunar New Year. “Blooming represents new beginnings, and that’s part of preparing for the New Year,” says Seaman. “You throw out all your old things, you get a haircut, and you refresh yourself and your home.”

While the Asian Garden Mall has plenty of excitement to offer, take it from me—the area can get overwhelming during peak holidays. To take a well-earned break from Southern California’s famous traffic and crowds, duck into local wellness-focused spaces like Luxury Head Spa & Beauty and Zen Head Spa for treatments ranging from scalp massages to facials. “There’s a sprouting wellness scene here,” says Seaman.

Beyond Little Saigon’s many hopping cultural hotspots, 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 (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.

Where to Eat and Drink

Full disclosure—listing the best restaurants in Little Saigon could be an article in and of itself. For brevity’s sake, though, we’ll stick to a few must-try restaurants.

Having at least one bowl of pho is all but required during your visit, and my go-to is Pho 79. 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’re interested in sampling a modern take on pho, you can also slurp down some noodles at Phoholic, a local chain that’s known for its complex broth and ultra-fresh toppings.

Low on time? Swing by Carrot & Daikon for a banh mi sandwich—the Westminster Avenue location even has a drive-thru. Known for their fluffy baguettes, piled high with marinated meats and fresh veggies, “Carrot & Daikon has really elevated the banh mi game,” Seaman says. “They specialize in thịt heo quay, which is crispy pork.” Other options include a classic Vietnamese cold-cut sandwich and a breakfast option featuring slabs of fried Spam.

Fusion options also abound—there’s Nep Cafe in Fountain Valley, a standout for its show-stopping bone marrow dishes, and Mama Hieu’s, a wings restaurant with eats inspired by traditional Vietnamese sauce recipes. You’ll likely be in dire need of a caffeine boost after all of that food, so head to Re Ca Phe for an artisanal espresso or Da Vien 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.

No matter which dishes and drinks you choose to try in Little Saigon, though, Seaman encourages first-timers to expand their culinary horizons and sample a little bit of everything. “If you want to come to Little Saigon, have your big bowl of pho,” she says. “But also, don’t forget that Vietnamese cuisine has other dishes, too, like bún bò huế [a spicy, sliced beef noodle soup] and bún riêu [a vermicelli soup].”

Where to Stay

Little Saigon has a few hotel options in the area, including the Ayres Hotel Anaheim, which is less than 10 minutes from Disneyland. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, also in Anaheim, is also just minutes from Little Saigon, and the theater-inspired Avenue of the Arts Hotel in the neighboring city of Costa Mesa is a solid option as well. If you don’t mind a drive, some favorite hotels of Travel + Leisure readers in the area include The Ranch at Laguna Beach (about 30 minutes away) and Terranea Resort (about an hour away in Rancho Palos Verdes).