Seattle Honors the Rich Cultures of Asian AmericanNative Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities in May

SEATTLE —May is Asian AmericanNative Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Montha time to honor the thriving communities who have helped define Seattle’s past and present and will shape its future. The city’s history is inseparable from the influence of Asian AmericanNative Hawaiian and Pacific Islander groups who began to arrive in the 1860sjust a decade after Seattle’s foundingleading to generations of families who have built the city’s fabric.  

The neighborhoods formed by these groups remain vital centers of gathering and connection todaysuch as the historic Chinatown-International District (CID) – which includes ChinatownJapantownand Little Saigon – and Seattle’s bustling Waterfront and international seaport where Chinese immigrants first established a community near Yesler’s Mill. 

“As a fourth-generation Japanese American born and raised in Seattleand President and CEO at Friends of Waterfront ParkI’m proud to celebrate Asian AmericanNative Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities whose contributions and stories have shaped this city for generations,” said local leader Joy Shigaki. “Waterfront Park is 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 communityconnectionand belonging at the center of our work.” 

AANHPI Month Events and Exhibits  

Throughout MaySeattle offers opportunities to celebrate the rich histories and ongoing contributions of AANHPI groups. This year holds special significance as April 30 marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War – a moment to reflect on the perseverancelegacyand histories that define Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood. To commemorate this dateFriends of Little Sài Gòn invites Seattle residents and visitors to join in sharing the stories of Vietnamese refugees in King County over the past 50 years at their “Sàigòn to Seattle” events:  

• Attend the world premiere of the Friends of Little Sài Gòn-produced short film “Sàigòn to Seattle: 50 Years After the War” on SaturdayMay 3 at Hoa Mai Park. From 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.the park will host multiple film screenings with music and cultural performances. Families will also have an opportunity to pose for family portraits to be featured in an upcoming exhibit at The Little Saigon Creative. No advance RSVP required.   

• Debut art exhibition “Sàigòn to Seattle: Our PastOur Presentand Our Future” will feature works from artists who showcase the resiliency of the Vietnamese spirit. The exhibition opening will take place on SaturdayApril 26 at the Yuan Ru Art Center with limited opportunities for viewing until May 17. RSVP here. 

“Little Saigon has long been a vibrant hub for the Vietnamese American community in the Puget Sound regionwhere familiesfriendsand businesses come together to celebrate culturebuild economic vitalityand preserve the neighborhood’s rich history,” said Valerie TranDeputy Director at Friends of Little Sài Gòn. “With 85 immigrant- and refugee-owned small businessesit remains a place where traditions thriveand new generations shape the future. As we mark 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War on April 30Friends of Little Sài Gòn is honored to uplift the voices of our community through filmartand storytelling. We invite everyone to join us at our ‘Sàigòn to Seattle’ events in May to reflect on our shared historycelebrate resilienceand look ahead to the future.”   

More AANHPI Month Exhibitions and Celebrations

• Exhibits and Neighborhood Tours at Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum – Ongoing: The Wing Luke Museum in the Chinatown-International District focuses on the cultureartand history of Asian AmericansNative Hawaiiansand Pacific Islanders. Established in 1967the museum is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and the only Pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the United States. It is named after Wing Chong Lukethe first person of color elected to the Seattle City Council and the first Asian American elected to public office in King County. Luke advocated for the City Council passage of the Open Housing Ordinancewhich led to the creation of the Seattle Human Rights Commission.  

• “Thanh Tan: We Were SoldiersToo” – Through June 14 at The Little Saigon Creative: As a daughter of Vietnamese refugeesThanh Tan has spent years preserving her community’s culture and historyespecially parts that are unspoken or lost in translation. “We Were SoldiersToo” is part of her effort to preserve these stories and features portraits taken by Marcus Yam as well as oral histories from veterans of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)many of which have never been shared publicly. 

• Globally renowned artist and activist Ai Weiwei presents exhibitions at the Seattle Art Muesum and Seattle Asian Art Museum:  

• “AiRebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei” at Seattle Art Museum – Through Sept. 72025: Ai Weiwei is celebrated as a disruptor of artistic canons and a champion of free expression. “AiRebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei” highlights the artistic strategies of Weiwei’s 40-year career for questioning forms of power. It marks the artist’s first U.S. retrospective in over a decade and his largest-ever U.S. exhibition. 

• “Ai Weiei: Water Lillies” at Seattle Asian Art Museum – Through March 152026: Nearly 50 feet in length and made from 650,000 LEGO blocksAi Weiwei’s “Water Lilies” (2022) is the artist’s reinterpretation of Claude Monet’s iconic triptych from the Museum of Modern Art in New Yorkmerging the lush beauty of Monet’s water lilies with Weiwei’s personal history. 

• Asian Arts and Heritage Festival at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art – Events throughout May with a culminating celebration on SaturdayMay 31 at the Bainbridge Filipino American Community Hall. 

• Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration at Seattle Center – SaturdayMay 3.  

• Viet Thanh Nguyen with Shawn Wong at Seattle Public Library – WednesdayMay 7: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen will discuss his new book“To Save and to Destroy,” with fellow author and scholar Shawn Wong.  

• SAM Talks: Asia Society Seattle Series – ThursdayMay 15: Explore the intersections of art and music in conversation with celebrated visual artist Zheng Chongbin and Asian Hall of Fame musician Daniel Pak. 

• Selected works from “Saigon to Seattle: Our PastOur PresentOur Future” at The Little Saigon Creative – June 21 – Sept. 20: This exhibit is a continuation of Friends of Little Sài Gòn’s group art exhibit commemorating 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. Selected works from their exhibit at Yuan Ru Art Center will be on view for an additional three months to showcase artworksvoicesand stories from King County’s Vietnamese community to a wider audience. 

Eat and Shop AANHPI-Owned Businesses 

AANHPI-owned small businesses are woven into the fabric of Seattlepreserving historic traditions and fostering multicultural and multigenerational connections. 

“I chose to place my business in Little Saigon and the Chinatown-International District because hereevery month is AANHPI Month,” said Bao Nguyenfounder and owner of Phin Coffee. “This neighborhood – and the dedicated leaderssupportersand community members who shape it – has always prioritized the AANHPI experience and always will. Phinmy modest offering to this beautiful communitycould only ever belong herewhere I know my contribution won’t be diminished but amplified many times over.” 

More Seattle AANHPI-Owned Businesses 

• Alice’s Floral Designs – Chinatown-International District florist offering weddingmemorialand event arrangementsas well as plants and gifts 

• Ba Bar – Saigon-inspired street eats in Capitol HillSouth Lake Unionand the University District   

• Buddha Bruddah – Casual counter service restaurant in Rainier Valley serving up Asian/Hawaiian- plate lunchesbaked goodsand beer 

• Chuck’s Hop Shop – Family- and pet-friendly beer bar with 50 taps in the Central DistrictSeward Parkand Greenwood 

• E-Jae Pak Mor – Authentic Thai street food in the Chinatown-International District  

• Elm Candle Bar – DIY candle-making and scent-mixing experiences in Capitol Hill  

• Gan Bei Eatery & Bar – Chinese comfort food and creative cocktails in the Chinatown-International District 

• Hood Famous Cafe & Bar – Filipino and Asian-Pacific cafe in the Chinatown-International District 

• New An Dong – Chinese herbal store in the Chinatown-International District 

• Marination – Seattle food-truck-turned-restaurant in BelltownColumbia Cityand West Seattle    

• Musang – Celebrated Filipino fare in Beacon Hill 

• Oni Baba – Casual Chinatown-International District restaurant to enjoy Japanese bites including 18 options of onigiri filling  

• Overcast Coffee – Coffee bar with two locations in Capitol Hill 

• Pike Place Fish Market – Freshwild Pacific seafood in Pike Place Market since 1930 

• Phở Bắc Súp Shop – Seattle’s original pho restaurant in the Chinatown-International District 

• Reclaim Clay Collective – Community pottery and art studio offering flexible membershipsgroup classes for all skill levelsprivate lessonsworkshopsand events in hand building claywheel throwingand Risograph  

• Rock Box – Japanese- karaoke lounge in Capitol Hill with a full bar  

• Shiro’s Sushi – Seattle’s first “Edomae,” Tokyo- sushi restaurant in Belltown 

• Shop Sairen –Modern and creative shop filled with an eclectic mix of Japanese-Hawaiian-and Seattle-made goods 

• Spice Waala – New Delhi-inspired street food in Capitol HillBallardand Columbia City  

• Tabletop Village – Pokémon gym in the Chinatown-International District 

• Tokara Bakery – Traditional Japanese sweets shop in Phinney Ridge  

• Taurus Ox – Laotian restaurant in Capitol Hill  

• Uwajimaya – Iconic family-owned Seattle grocery store since 1928 allows patrons to experience the richness of Asian culture and food 

Explore more than 1,000 AANHPI-owned businesses in Seattle on The Intentionalist, founded by Seattle leaderentrepreneurand member of the AAPINH communityLaura Clise.     

To learn more about Seattle’s support for Asian AmericanNative Hawaiianand Pacific Islander communitiesgo to visitseattle.org.   

To learn about the history of Asian AmericanNative Hawaiianand Pacific Islander cultural heritage in Seattlestart here.  

Do you have a recommendation for how to celebrate AANHPI Month? Please submit your ideas to [email protected]. We would love to hear from you! 

About Visit Seattle: 

Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organizationVisit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketingconvention salesand overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.