Seattle Honors the Rich Cultures and Histories of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities in May
SEATTLE – May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a 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 American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander groups who began to arrive in the 1860s, just a decade after Seattle’s founding, leading to generations of families who have built the city’s fabric.
The neighborhoods formed by these groups remain vital centers of gathering and connection today, such as the historic Chinatown-International District (CID) – which includes Chinatown, Japantown, and 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 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,” 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 community, connection, and belonging at the center of our work.”
AANHPI Month Events and Exhibits
Throughout May, Seattle 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 perseverance, legacy, and histories that define Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood. To commemorate this date, Friends 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 Saturday, May 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 Past, Our Present, and Our Future” will feature works from artists who showcase the resiliency of the Vietnamese spirit. The exhibition opening will take place on Saturday, April 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 region, where families, friends, and businesses come together to celebrate culture, build economic vitality, and preserve the neighborhood’s rich history,” said 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 new generations 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.”
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 culture, art, and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Established in 1967, the 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 Luke, the 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 Ordinance, which led to the creation of the Seattle Human Rights Commission.
- “Thanh Tan: We Were Soldiers, Too” – Through June 14 at The Little Saigon Creative: As a daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Thanh Tan has spent years preserving her community’s culture and history, especially parts that are unspoken or lost in translation. “We Were Soldiers, Too” 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:
- “Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei” at Seattle Art Museum – Through Sept. 7, 2025: Ai Weiwei is celebrated as a disruptor of artistic canons and a champion of free expression. “Ai, Rebel: 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 15, 2026: Nearly 50 feet in length and made from 650,000 LEGO blocks, Ai Weiwei’s “Water Lilies” (2022) is the artist’s reinterpretation of Claude Monet’s iconic triptych from the Museum of Modern Art in New York, merging 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 Saturday, May 31 at the Bainbridge Filipino American Community Hall.
- Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration at Seattle Center – Saturday, May 3.
- Viet Thanh Nguyen with Shawn Wong at Seattle Public Library – Wednesday, May 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 – Thursday, May 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 Past, Our Present, Our 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 artworks, voices, and 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 Seattle, preserving historic traditions and fostering multicultural and multigenerational connections.
“I chose to place my business in Little Saigon and the Chinatown-International District because here, every month is AANHPI Month,” said Bao Nguyen, 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.”
More Seattle AANHPI–Owned Businesses
- Alice’s Floral Designs – Chinatown-International District florist offering wedding, memorial, and event arrangements, as well as plants and gifts
- Ba Bar – Saigon-inspired street eats in Capitol Hill, South Lake Union, and the University District
- Buddha Bruddah – Casual counter service restaurant in Rainier Valley serving up Asian/Hawaiian-style plate lunches, baked goods, and beer
- Chuck’s Hop Shop – Family- and pet-friendly beer bar with 50 taps in the Central District, Seward Park, and 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
- New An Dong – Chinese herbal store in the Chinatown-International District
- Marination – Seattle food-truck-turned-restaurant in Belltown, Columbia City, and 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
- Phở Bắc Súp Shop – Seattle’s original pho restaurant in the Chinatown-International District
- Reclaim Clay Collective – Community pottery and art studio offering flexible memberships, group classes for all skill levels, private lessons, workshops, and events in hand building clay, wheel throwing, and Risograph
- Rock Box – Japanese-style karaoke lounge in Capitol Hill with a full bar
- Shiro’s Sushi – Seattle’s first “Edomae,” Tokyo-style 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 Hill, Ballard, and Columbia City
- 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 leader, entrepreneur, and member of the AAPINH community, Laura Clise.
To learn more about Seattle’s support for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, go to visitseattle.org.
To learn about the history of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander cultural heritage in Seattle, start 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) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.