Neighborhood Overview
Village de l'Est, located in the eastern reaches of New Orleans between Chef Menteur Highway, Michoud Boulevard, Interstate 10, and Lake Pontchartrain, represents one of America's most remarkable stories of refugee resettlement and community building. Developed initially as a suburban subdivision in the 1960s, the neighborhood was transformed in the mid-1970s when Vietnamese refugees, primarily Catholics fleeing the fall of Saigon, were resettled in the area under the sponsorship of the Catholic Church. Over subsequent decades, these newcomers built a vibrant ethnic enclave—often called "Versailles" after a major apartment complex in the area—characterized by strong cultural traditions, entrepreneurial energy, and exceptional community cohesion.
Catastrophically flooded during Hurricane Katrina with most areas experiencing 5-12 feet of water, the neighborhood achieved national recognition for its remarkably rapid and community-driven recovery. Led by Mary Queen of Vietnam Church and a network of community organizations, residents returned at rates far exceeding those of surrounding areas, rebuilding homes, businesses, and cultural institutions through collective action. Today, Village de l'Est stands as a testament to cultural resilience while navigating the complex dynamics of maintaining ethnic traditions amid generational change and addressing environmental vulnerabilities that threaten its future.
Quick Facts
- Population: Approximately 8,500 residents (over 90% of pre-Katrina population)
- Demographics: Predominantly Vietnamese American (75%), with significant Latino (15%) and African American (10%) populations
- Housing: Single-family ranch-style homes, apartment complexes, and post-Katrina new construction
- Historic Significance: One of the most significant Vietnamese communities in the United States, site of extraordinary post-Katrina community-led recovery, location of important cultural and religious institutions, and home to distinctive urban agriculture and fishing traditions
Free Spaces
Mary Queen of Vietnam Church & Community Gardens
14001 Dwyer Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70129
The heart of Village de l’Est’s Vietnamese community. Visitors are welcome to walk the peaceful church grounds and adjoining community gardens, where local families grow herbs and vegetables using traditional techniques.
Viet Village Urban Farm
Address: near 14401 Chef Menteur Hwy., New Orleans, LA 70129
A cooperative community farm founded after Hurricane Katrina to promote food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture. It’s free to walk through, learn from farmers, and see how traditional Vietnamese farming blends with Louisiana soil and climate.
Joe W. Brown Park
5601 Read Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70127
Located just west of Village de l’Est, this 135-acre public park features walking trails, lagoons, sports fields, and picnic areas. It’s one of New Orleans’ largest and most beautiful green spaces — completely free and family-friendly.
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
Bayou Sauvage Ridge Trailhead, 20876 Chef Menteur Hwy., New Orleans, LA 70129
One of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the U.S., this expansive wetland features boardwalks, birdwatching platforms, and walking trails — perfect for spotting herons, egrets, and alligators in their natural habitat.
Village de l’Est Community Center & Peace Garden
13435 Chef Menteur Hwy., New Orleans, LA 70129
This public space often hosts festivals, youth programs, and health fairs, but its outdoor peace garden and murals are open daily for quiet reflection or a community stroll.
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