CREATING A SENSE OF PLACE: THE VIETNAMESE-AMERICANS AND LITTLE SAIGON

Based on a study of Little Saigon, an ethnic enclave in Westminster, California, this paper examines the physical, social, symbolic and emotional significance of such places in the lives of immigrants. We focus on three specific aspects of the ethnic enclave: architectural elements, everyday social interaction within the enclave, and public ritual events. We highlight how the built architectural environment and the immigrants' social, commercial, and ritual activities interact to create and sustain a sense of place, foster community identity, and structure social relations. We conclude that ethnic enclaves constitute an important aspect of an immigrant's place identity enabling him/her to simultaneously remain connected to the places left behind and yet appropriating and forging significant new place ties.