SEATTLE – May marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, offering a dedicated time to honor the vibrant communities that have significantly influenced Seattle’s past, present, and future.
The presence of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander groups in Seattle dates back to the 1860s, shortly after the city’s founding, leading to generations of families who have contributed to the city’s cultural fabric.
Prominent neighborhoods, such as the historic Chinatown-International District (CID) — encompassing Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon — continue to serve as vital centers of community and connection.
Additionally, Seattle’s bustling Waterfront and international seaport are historic grounds where Chinese immigrants established a community near Yesler’s Mill.
“As a fourth-generation Japanese American born and raised in Seattle, and President and CEO at Friends of Waterfront Park, I’m proud to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities whose contributions and stories have shaped this city for generations,” stated Joy Shigaki, a local leader.
“Waterfront Park presents an opportunity to honor that legacy by creating a public space where everyone feels welcomed.
It’s a joyful reminder of what’s possible when we build with community, connection, and belonging at the center of our work.”
Various events and exhibits are scheduled throughout May, allowing Seattle residents and visitors to celebrate the rich histories and ongoing contributions of AANHPI groups.
This year holds particular importance as April 30 marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, serving as a poignant moment to reflect on the resilience and histories that characterize Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood.
Friends of Little Sài Gòn invites everyone to engage in sharing the stories of Vietnamese refugees in King County over the past five decades at their “Sàigòn to Seattle” events.
Highlights include the world premiere of the short film “Sàigòn to Seattle: 50 Years After the War” on Saturday, May 3, at Hoa Mai Park.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature multiple film screenings along with music and cultural performances.
Families in attendance will also have the chance to pose for family portraits, which will be included in an upcoming exhibit at The Little Saigon Creative.
No advance RSVP is required for this event.
A debut art exhibition titled “Sàigòn to Seattle: Our Past, Our Present, and Our Future” focuses on works that highlight the resiliency of the Vietnamese spirit.
The exhibition opening will take place at the Yuan Ru Art Center on Saturday, April 26, with limited viewing opportunities until May 17.
“Little Saigon has long been a vibrant hub for the Vietnamese American community in the Puget Sound region, where families, friends, and businesses come together to celebrate culture, build economic vitality, and preserve the neighborhood’s rich history,” stated Valerie Tran, Deputy Director at Friends of Little Sài Gòn.
“With 85 immigrant- and refugee-owned small businesses, it remains a place where traditions thrive and where new generations continue to shape the future.
As we mark 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War on April 30, Friends of Little Sài Gòn is honored to uplift the voices of our community through film, art, and storytelling.
We invite everyone to join us at our ‘Sàigòn to Seattle’ events in May to reflect on our shared history, celebrate resilience, and look ahead to the future.”
Additionally, ongoing exhibits and neighborhood tours at Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum provide insight into the culture, art, and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
Established in 1967, the Wing Luke Museum is the only Pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the United States and is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.
Named after Wing Chong Luke, the first person of color elected to the Seattle City Council and the first Asian American elected to public office in King County, the museum stands as a testament to the contributions made by these communities.
“Thanh Tan: We Were Soldiers, Too” is another significant exhibit on view through June 14 at The Little Saigon Creative.
As a daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Thanh Tan has dedicated years to preserving her community’s culture and history, focusing on the stories that are often unspoken or lost in translation.
This effort features portraits taken by Marcus Yam alongside oral histories from veterans of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), many of which have never been publicly shared.
Globally renowned artist and activist Ai Weiwei showcases his work at the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum.
“Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei,” showing at the Seattle Art Museum through September 7, 2025, highlights Weiwei’s artistic strategies employed throughout his 40-year career to critically analyze power structures.
This exhibition marks Ai Weiwei’s first U.S. retrospective in over a decade and represents his largest exhibition ever in the U.S.
The Seattle Asian Art Museum will display “Water Lilies,” a nearly 50-foot installation made from 650,000 LEGO blocks, through March 15, 2026.
Ai Weiwei’s “Water Lilies” (2022) offers a reinterpretation of Claude Monet’s iconic triptych from the Museum of Modern Art in New York, merging the lush beauty of Monet’s work with Weiwei’s personal narrative.
Bainbridge Island will also celebrate AANHPI Month through various events culminating in a celebration on Saturday, May 31, at the Bainbridge Filipino American Community Hall.
Moreover, the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration at Seattle Center is scheduled for Saturday, May 3.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen will engage in a discussion about his new book, “To Save and to Destroy,” with fellow author and scholar Shawn Wong on Wednesday, May 7 at the Seattle Public Library.
Another event, titled “SAM Talks: Asia Society Seattle Series,” will be held on Thursday, May 15, featuring a dialogue about the intersections of art and music with celebrated visual artist Zheng Chongbin and Asian Hall of Fame musician Daniel Pak.
After the conclusion of the “Sàigòn to Seattle: Our Past, Our Present, and Our Future” exhibit, selected works will be showcased at The Little Saigon Creative from June 21 to September 20.
This continuation aims to further highlight artworks, stories, and voices from King County’s Vietnamese community for a broader audience.
The AANHPI-owned small businesses in Seattle play a crucial role in weaving the cultural tapestry of the city, preserving historic traditions while fostering multicultural connections across generations.
“I chose to place my business in Little Saigon and the Chinatown-International District because here, every month is AANHPI Month,” shared Bao Nguyen, the founder and owner of Phin Coffee.
“This neighborhood – and the dedicated leaders, supporters, and community members who shape it – has always prioritized the AANHPI experience and always will.
Phin, my modest offering to this beautiful community, could only ever belong here, where I know my contribution won’t be diminished but amplified many times over.”
In addition to Phin Coffee, other notable AANHPI-owned businesses include:
– Alice’s Floral Designs: A florist in the Chinatown-International District specializing in wedding, memorial, and event arrangements, as well as plants and gifts.
– Ba Bar: A venue offering Saigon-inspired street eats with locations in Capitol Hill, South Lake Union, and the University District.
– Buddha Bruddah: A casual counter service restaurant in Rainier Valley serving Asian/Hawaiian-style plate lunches, baked goods, and beer.
– Chuck’s Hop Shop: A family- and pet-friendly beer bar with 50 taps located in the Central District, Seward Park, and Greenwood.
– E-Jae Pak Mor: A restaurant serving authentic Thai street food in the Chinatown-International District.
– Elm Candle Bar: A DIY candle-making and scent-mixing experience available in Capitol Hill.
– Gan Bei Eatery & Bar: A destination for Chinese comfort food and innovative cocktails in the Chinatown-International District.
– Hood Famous Cafe & Bar: A Filipino and Asian-Pacific cafe located in the Chinatown-International District.
– New An Dong: A Chinese herbal store in the Chinatown-International District.
– Marination: A Seattle food truck-turned-restaurant with locations in Belltown, Columbia City, and West Seattle.
– Musang: A restaurant offering celebrated Filipino fare in Beacon Hill.
– Oni Baba: A restaurant in the Chinatown-International District specializing in Japanese bites, including various onigiri fillings.
– Overcast Coffee: A coffee bar with two locations in Capitol Hill.
– Pike Place Fish Market: A landmark offering fresh, wild Pacific seafood in Pike Place Market since 1930.
– Phở Bắc Súp Shop: Recognized as Seattle’s original pho restaurant located in the Chinatown-International District.
– Reclaim Clay Collective: A community pottery and art studio offering memberships, group classes, and private lessons in hand building clay, wheel throwing, and Risograph.
– Rock Box: A Japanese-style karaoke lounge in Capitol Hill featuring a full bar.
– Shiro’s Sushi: Seattle’s first “Edomae,” Tokyo-style sushi restaurant located in Belltown.
– Shop Sairen: A modern shop filled with a mix of Japanese-, Hawaiian-, and Seattle-made goods.
– Spice Waala: A restaurant serving New Delhi-inspired street food in Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Columbia City.
– Tabletop Village: A Pokémon gym in the Chinatown-International District.
– Tokara Bakery: A traditional Japanese sweets shop located in Phinney Ridge.
– Taurus Ox: A Laotian restaurant situated in Capitol Hill.
– Uwajimaya: An iconic family-owned grocery store in Seattle since 1928 that enables patrons to experience the richness of Asian culture and food.
For those interested in supporting AANHPI-owned businesses, more than 1,000 options can be explored on The Intentionalist, founded by Laura Clise, a Seattle leader and member of the AAPINH community.
To learn more about Seattle’s initiatives supporting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, visit visitseattle.org.
For more information about the history of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander cultural heritage in Seattle, start here.
If you have any recommendations on how to celebrate AANHPI Month, please submit your ideas to [email protected].
The city welcomes and values community contributions during this special month.
image source from：https://visitseattle.org/press/press-releases/aanhpimonth-2025/
