05/24/2026
In this 1990 Orlando International Airport photo, Su Le is welcomed home by his mother, Nhan Le, and his sister. She clutches his shoulder and weeps as he returns after years as a prisoner of war, one of many families reunited in the terminal that day.
After the fall of Saigon in 1975, Vietnamese refugees resettled across the United States, including Central Florida, where churches and sponsors helped families rebuild. Over time, Vietnamese immigrants established businesses, cultural centers, and community networks that continue to shape Orlando.
Neighborhoods like Mills 50—often called Little Vietnam—stand as living reminders of that journey, built on resilience, loss, and new beginnings.
Courtesy Orlando Sentinel Collection
In this photograph from Dec. 13, 1990, Su Le is embraced by his mother, Nhan Le, and his sister at Orlando International Airport. His mother clutches his shoulder and weeps as she welcomes him home after his release as a prisoner of war. Around them, other families share similar moments as the terminal fills with long-awaited reunions.
Following the fall of Saigon in 1975, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees fled political upheaval and resettled in the United States. Many made their way to Central Florida, where faith-based groups and sponsors helped families rebuild their lives. Despite early challenges, Vietnamese immigrants established businesses, community networks, and cultural institutions that continue to shape Orlando today.
Neighborhoods such as Orlando’s Mills 50, often called Little Vietnam, stand as a testament to that legacy – built from moments of loss, resilience, and reunion.
Courtesy Orlando Sentinel Collection
