Asian American Diversity Guide

There are more than 30,000 Asian Americans representing more than a dozen nationalities in the Richmond Region. From Bangladeshi to Vietnamese, the Asian American Society of Central Virginia supports these individuals by promoting unity, harmony and diversity in the area. The association also hosts athletic tournaments, food festivals and floral celebrations to bring Asian American heritage to other Richmonders.

According to the U.S. Census, the Asian American population in the Richmond Region grew 82 percent from 1990 to 2000. While many of the Region's Asian Americans immigrated in the last 20 or 30 years, the history of the 8,000 Korean immigrants in the Region dates back 50 years. There are now 16 Korean churches, one Korean school and approximately 500 businesses owned and run by the Region's Korean Americans. Another large group in the Region is Cambodian Americans. Ranked eighth by the 2000 U.S. Census as the state with the largest Cambodian population, Virginia has 4,400 Cambodian residents with one-third living in or near the Richmond Region.

Each April, the Asian American Society of Central Virginia sponsors Asia Blooms in the Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. This annual event allows visitors to experience Asian culture through floral exhibits, dance, art, children's activities and more. The rest of the year, sample Asian culture through the varied offerings at the area's many Asian restaurants. Check out our cultural festivals sampler.