By Seth Daniel, News Editor
July 17, 2024

Danny Wang “feeds” Nguyen Van during the Pho eating contest. The duo tied for second place in the competition.

The third annual Little Saigon Night Market/Cho Dem street festival came together in just the right way last Saturday evening as families and people young and old from the neighborhood and beyond mixed and mingled by the thousands up and down Dorchester Avenue in Fields Corner.

In all, the event was a showcase put on by the Vietnamese American community – its culture, its talent, its businesses – that has its heart in Dorchester.

Event organizers added the closure of Gibson Street to this year’s event map, which allowed for the large crowds — an estimated 15,000 people over the five-hour span— to spread out and exit Town Field safely. Vendors served traditional Asian and Vietnamese street food and a mixed drink and beer garden proved popular with adults.

Inside the field, where community-based vendors also set up their wares in large numbers, entertainers from Vietnamese balladeers to popular citywide dance crews to acrobatic demonstrations from local martial arts schools captivated audiences.

Elected officials made their way through the crowds and enjoyed the evening as well. Mayor Wu made an off-schedule visit to Dorchester with her husband and children, enjoying the vibe less as an official and more as a mother enjoying a night out with her family as they waited in line for bubble tea and food and casually greeting friends and neighborhood leaders.

City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune stopped by with her staff and her sisters, relaxing with bubble teas and vendor snacks. Most who came enjoyed foods and desserts along the street, sitting at tables stationed along the Avenue, or simply taking up space on the curb and making it a reality street food scene.

Boston Little Saigon Director Annie Le had said prior to the Night Market that there would be more family activities and younger performers, and that promise was delivered, with young K-pop dancers Jayla Tran and Katherine Nguyen stealing the show in the evening hours.

A highlight that drew large numbers to Town Field was the Pho-eating contest sponsored by Pho Le Restaurant of Fields Corner that was the climax of an all-evening Scavenger Hunt that had six teams searching for highlights of Fields Corner, then squaring off against each other in a race to see who could eat the traditional soup, noodle, vegetable, and meat dish the fastest. One “feeder” shoved vermicelli and meatballs and bean sprouts into the mouths of one “eater,” and the fastest team won. It was a feast for the senses, and Pho Le’s Tran Le said it was one of the best eating contests she has seen involving a dish that isn’t easy to eat quickly.

The Night Market was co-sponsored by The Dorchester Reporter, Eastern Bank, and the City of Boston.

Moi Lung, of Rensauce BBQ, one of several popular returning vendors, cooked dumplings and other treats for a steady stream of customers.

Fields Corner Main Streets was on scene unveiling the design of their upcoming street mural, with Director Jackey West Devine and staffers Gaitre Han and Daniel Le.

At right, Lords at War performed their hip-hop-inspired music at the Park Street stage, one of three set up for entertainment.

Khoa Nguyen and Duyen Trien of the Circle of Vietnamese Parents sold the best sno-cones on Dorchester Avenue all evening long.

A couple of “fans” of the Night Market – Trinh Do and Nu Nguyen – enjoy the festivities.

Khang Nguyen, a board member of Boston Little Saigon, relaxes in an antique rickshaw at the corner of Adams Street.

Dorchester residents Matteo Buyu and Josiad Lamothe surveyed the scene for the best food and drink options.

Olivia Huynh, Colette Aryee, Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and her sisters, Rodline and Kenthia.

Hiep Chu, center, and his wife, Nhung Nguyen, with C-11 Sgt. Tim Golden on Dorchester Avenue.