What’s in a name? Unfortunately for the Vietnamese American community here in San Jose ‘a name’ has become a conduit for division. By favoring the name “Saigon Business District”, Councilwoman Madison Nguyen has come under suspicion. She has been accused of having a (not so) hidden agenda. Was she only acting on behalf of her constituents when she became involved with the Vietnam Town Plaza?

The name “Little Saigon” has been used without controversy in San Francisco, Orange County, and Houston. Viet émigrés have worked hard to make this area of San Jose not only a successful business district, but also a symbol of freedom. Why did this become an issue only in San Jose? What harm did Mayor Chuck Reed and the Council imagine? If we follow the politics, or the money, will we find an answer? Let us hope that this vexatious situation will be resolved with a diplomatic solution.