May has been recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month since 1990. This designation was passed down by Congress and celebrates the diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander community across the United States.
About the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Community
Within the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander community, there are over 20 various ethnicities and counting! Many Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have brought several traditions from their home countries, as well as built a variety of businesses ranging from food, merchandise, toys, and traditional attire to introduce the Las Vegas community to their culture.
According to the recent United States census, the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander community is considered one of the fastest-growing populations in Las Vegas.
Here are fun recommendations to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month in Las Vegas:
1. Try New Local Asian Restaurants
There are hundreds of businesses that sell a variety of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultural foods. From Vietnamese Pho, the Filipino taho, and even the Korean tang, Las Vegas offers delicious options from all over Asia. Support these locally owned Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses to experience a variety of different cultures that the Las Vegas community has to offer.
The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Community not only has amazing food but non-alcoholic drinks are available as well. Swap the milkshake with boba!
You may be surprised and find new favorite spot for your food or drink cravings and it might inspire you to travel to those countries and experience the culture first-hand.
Encourage your friends and family members to try new foodie experiences in the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander community. It takes one person to create a tribe of support for small business restaurants in Las Vegas.
2. Attend AAPI Heritage Month Events
Every year, there are various Asian American and Pacific Islander non-profit organizations who host a cultural events to showcase the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, from taiko drums, dragon dance, and singing in their native languages.
Bring friends or your family o these Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander community events in May to learn more about different Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures in Las Vegas.
Not only will these Asian American and Pacific Islander non-profit organizations welcome you with open arms, but these events are also a learning experience to immerse yourself in their cultures.
3. Visit Your Local Asian American and Pacific Islander Supermarket
If you are in need of home groceries, find the nearest Asian American and Pacific Islander grocery store and explore what they have to offer. You may find some interesting ingredients to try with your daily cooking or pre-packaged meals.
Many Asian American and Pacific Islander supermarkets have great deals on vegetables and fruits that you might not find elsewhere. There are also a variety of different Asian snacks to try, from the jello packaging to the Pocky sticks.
4. Volunteer with an Asian American and Pacific Islander Non-Profit organization
Many Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander non-profit organizations like OCA Las Vegas are looking for people in the Las Vegas community to help out with their AAPI Heritage Month events in May. Some volunteer activities range from helping with check-in at events to jumping into a variety of tasks to ensure the events run as smoothly as possible.
Many Asian American and Pacific Islander non-profit organizations can be searchable on the internet, so look for their contact information on their website or on social media if you would like to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
If you have had a great experience volunteering with an Asian American and Pacific Islander non-profit organization, continue sharing your time to volunteer.
5. Support Local Businesses
There are a variety of non-food and non-drink businesses in Las Vegas that sell merchandise from traditional clothing, music, and event arts/crafts. Here are a few common keywords that you can use to find them on Yelp or through your navigation maps:
- K-pop merchandise store near me
- Anime near me
- Feng shui near me
- Asian Traditional Wear near me
- Asian stationary store near me
If no results appear from your searches, plan a short trip to Shanghai Plaza and Chinatown. There are a large number of boutique Asian American and Pacific Islander shops that you can visit to check out all the different merchandise that they offer.
6. Talk to your Asian American and Pacific Islander co-workers and friends
Ask your coworkers and friends some of their favorite places that they like to go to. They can always be your best guides to find hidden gems in the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
If you don’t know how to start a conversation, try some of these open-ended questions below:
- “I’m looking to try something new, do you have any food recommendations?”
- “I was watching this show about [Insert Ethnicity] culture, do you know of any places locally that I can checkout?”
- “What’s your favorite Asian and/or Pacific Islander food that you eat out? Do you have any recommendations for me?”
While May is recognized as the month for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, choose to celebrate diversity every day by supporting the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific community.
Interested in becoming an OCA member?
We offer a wide range of opportunities and benefits for anyone interested in becoming an OCA member in the Las Vegas Asian community. Check out our membership page to learn more. Our membership pricing starts at $10/year.