October 23, 2003 :: No. 81

Little Saigon Is the Focus of Campus Tours

Two groups from Cal State Fullerton will be touring Little Saigon Friday, Oct. 24, to explore cultural, religious and commercial corners of the county’s growing Vietnamese community.

As she has for the past seven years, Son Kim Vo, coordinator of the university’s Intercultural Development Center, will conduct a tour that showcases the history of Buddhist temples in Orange County and provides participants with insight into Vietnamese culture.

Her “View From the Inside” tour begins at 10 a.m. at the Vietnam Buddhist Temple, 12292 Magnolia St., then proceeds at 11:30 a.m. to the Asian Garden Mall at the corner of Bolsa Avenue and Asian Garden Road in Westminster.

Another morning tour, sponsored by the university’s Center for Oral and Public History, is billed as “Strolling Bolsa: A Taste of Little Saigon.” Trangdai Tranguyen, director of the center’s Vietnamese American Project, will guide participants to the art gallery Frame & Art, the King Hung shrine, Nguoi Viet Daily News, as well as various shops along Bolsa Avenue.

“This tour is the launching event for the center’s Heritage Tourism Program,” said Tranguyen, noting that the program is designed for both students and community members to explore the historical background of various geographical areas of Orange County.

Additional information is available from the university’s Intercultural Development Center at 657-278-3400 and Center for Oral and Public History at 657-278-3580.