DISQUS

Dennis · 1 year ago

I read the Mercury News article and I'm still confused. Was there a problem with the name Saigon Business District other than people preferring Little Saigon? I feel like I'm missing something because it seems silly to go on a hunger strike just because you don't like Saigon Business District.

Cat_D · 1 year ago

I grew up around this area and still have friends and relatives who live there, so I've been asking them what's been going on because I had never seen such heated politics in the San Jose Viet community.

Basically the city put out a survey to ask the community what name they would like for that stretch of business, and the people responded. When the results came out that everyone preferred Little Saigon, they expected their vote to count. Instead, the council overruled the vote and called it Saigon Business District. So the general thinking is, if you want the people to participate and vote, then make it count, otherwise, it's no different than living in a Communist country where your voice is unheard.

As far as why the survey was even brought up in the first place, I'm pretty sure the business owners and developers of Grand Century Mall just wanted a name to put them on the map and bring more business.

I still don't like that they are naming that area Saigon whatever, they are sharing that street with other Latin businesses and even a Mexican church.

John · 1 year ago

Here is a post from November that chronicles the whole controversy:

San Jose: ‘Saigon Business District’ wins
http://www.8asians.com/2007/11/21/san-jose-saig...

Dennis · 1 year ago

Thanks, Cat_D and John. While I agree that ignoring the poll wasn't a good idea, going over everything, this seems to me to be more of reaction against Madison Nguyen than not liking the name of the district.