The Vietnamese community in the United Kingdom is a relatively small but vibrant and growing community. According to the 2021 UK Census, there were approximately 34,000 Vietnamese people living in the UK, with the majority residing in London and the surrounding areas.
The first wave of Vietnamese immigrants to the UK arrived in the late 1970s and early 1980s, following the end of the Vietnam War and the fall of Saigon. Many of these refugees were granted asylum in the UK under the Indochinese Refugee Program, which was launched in 1979 to provide assistance to refugees fleeing the conflict in Southeast Asia.
Since then, the Vietnamese community in the UK has continued to grow and diversify, with many Vietnamese students, professionals, and entrepreneurs choosing to settle in the country. Vietnamese cuisine has also become increasingly popular in the UK, with numerous Vietnamese restaurants and cafes popping up in major cities across the country.
Despite facing various challenges, such as language barriers and discrimination, the Vietnamese community in the UK has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. Many Vietnamese individuals and organizations have worked tirelessly to promote Vietnamese culture and heritage in the UK, through events such as the annual Tet Festival and the Vietnamese Boat Racing Festival.
In recent years, the Vietnamese community in the UK has also become more politically active, with several Vietnamese British politicians and activists advocating for the rights of Vietnamese people both in the UK and abroad. For example, in 2020, Vietnamese British MP Chi Onwurah led a parliamentary debate on human rights abuses in Vietnam, calling for greater international pressure to be put on the Vietnamese government to improve its human rights record.
Overall, the Vietnamese community in the UK is a dynamic and diverse community that has made significant contributions to British society and culture. Despite facing various challenges, the community has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability, and continues to thrive and grow in the UK.
Here is a list of some of the major cities in the UK
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London - London has the largest Vietnamese community in the UK, with approximately 18,000 Vietnamese people living in the city. The majority of Vietnamese in London live in the boroughs of Hackney, Southwark, and Tower Hamlets, where there are vibrant Vietnamese communities with numerous restaurants, shops, and cultural events.
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Manchester - Manchester has a relatively small but growing Vietnamese community, with approximately 2,500 Vietnamese people living in the city. Many Vietnamese students study at the University of Manchester, and there are a number of Vietnamese restaurants and shops in the city.
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Birmingham - Birmingham has a growing Vietnamese community, with approximately 2,000 Vietnamese people living in the city. The Vietnamese community in Birmingham is centered around the area of Ladywood, where there are a number of Vietnamese businesses and community organizations.
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Leicester - Leicester has a relatively small Vietnamese community, with approximately 1,500 Vietnamese people living in the city. The Vietnamese community in Leicester is centered around the area of Highfields, where there are several Vietnamese restaurants and shops.
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Sheffield - Sheffield has a small but growing Vietnamese community, with approximately 1,000 Vietnamese people living in the city. The Vietnamese community in Sheffield is centered around the area of Sharrow, where there are a number of Vietnamese restaurants and shops.
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Glasgow - Glasgow has a small Vietnamese community, with approximately 500 Vietnamese people living in the city. The Vietnamese community in Glasgow is centered around the area of Garnethill, where there are a few Vietnamese restaurants and shops.
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