The Vietnamese community in Canada grew mainly from the late 1970s onward and has kept growing through new waves of immigrants, students and workers.
Where they live
According to Statistics Canada's censuses, people of Vietnamese origin live mainly in large cities: the Toronto area, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, along with cities such as Ottawa, Winnipeg, Hamilton and London. This matches the general pattern IRCC describes: most newcomers settle in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
Large cities are also the most diverse. In 2021, the racialized population made up 55.7% of Toronto, 42.8% of Edmonton and 34.4% of Winnipeg (Statistics Canada).
Finding official figures
Statistics Canada's 2021 Census Profile lets you look up ethnic origin, mother tongue and home language by city. Use it when comparing places to live.
Living near the Vietnamese community: pros and trade-offs
| Benefits | Trade-offs |
|---|---|
| Easy access to Vietnamese markets, food and restaurants | High housing costs in big cities |
| Temples, churches and associations to help at first | Less daily English or French if you stay within the community |
| Easier for children to keep Vietnamese | Some immigration pathways favour smaller places with few Vietnamese residents |
Researching a specific city
- Ask Vietnamese residents through associations and community groups.
- Look up temples, churches and Asian markets on a map.
- Ask a newcomer services organization in that city.
Note Montreal has a large Vietnamese community but is in Quebec, which has its own immigration and language system. Think carefully if you're on federal programs or C16.
Markets, temples and associations
Keeping Vietnamese alive for your children