Join us on a walking tour of "Little Mekong", one of St. Paul's most diverse Asian neighborhoods. This free walking tour is sponsored by the Hmong American Partnership (HAP) and the Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA).
Little Mekong is a business and cultural district in St. Paul, located between Mackubin and Galtier streets along University Avenue. This area’s mix of retail, restaurant and service businesses are run by people from many cultures, but predominantly from Southeast Asian nations. The district took shape starting in the 1970s when Vietnamese, Hmong, Lao, Cambodians, Thai and others fled their home region due to turmoil and persecution. Many people came to Minnesota to find new lives after the Vietnam War ended. Groups formed to help the newcomers find places to live, work and worship. Like so many immigrants before them, people formed mutual assistance programs to help each other. Little Mekong’s mission was to develop the area around University Avenue as an attractive destination for visitors and residents; to support and promote businesses during light rail construction; to share cultural traditions and activities; and to create a living, breathing, colorful district for all to enjoy.
