Viet 🇻🇳 community in Bangkok?

There's no single Viet neighborhood like you'd find with the Chinese in Yaowarat or the Indians in Pahurat, but you'll find pockets of Viet community scattered around. The biggest concentration is probably in the Bang Kapi and Hua Mak areas, where a lot of the second and third generation Thai-Vietnamese families settled after the Vietnam War. If you're craving proper pho or banh mi, head to the small stalls near Wat Don Mueang or check out the weekend market at Chatuchak - there's a Viet vendor row in section 27 that does a decent bun cha. I've met a few expats who did the Vietnam-to-Bangkok move and they tend to hang around the Thong Lor cafes, but it's not an organized scene.

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Yeah, this gets asked every few months in this sub. No, there's no Little Saigon in Bangkok. The Viet community here is spread thin and keeps to itself mostly. If you really want to find them, hit up the Thai-Vietnamese Catholic church near Saphan Khwai during

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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