New Vietnamese Association on P.E.I. aims to help newcomers connect and thrive

As Prince Edward Island'sVietnamese community continues to grow,a new organization wantsto help Vietnamese newcomers make the Island theirhome.

The Vietnamese Association on P.E.I. first met in October, and had about250 people from the community attendsaid Elaine Nguyen, the group's spokesperson.

"The association's aim is to help the Vietnamese to settle down, to integrate well into our new homeland, opening more opportunity while keeping Vietnamese culture," said Nguyen.

Growing presence on the Island

Nguyen arrived about four years ago with the provincial nominee program. She owns a motel in Cornwall, P.E.I., and also works as a real estate agent.

As a newcomer herself, Nguyen understandssome of the challenges of moving to a new place.

She said one big adjustment for her wasP.E.I.'s population orlack of it.

"I come from a city where there are 15 million people in the size of P.E.I. But here is a lot less so we find it isolated," she said.

The group estimates that about 500 Vietnamese newcomers currently live on the Island.

As the organization grows,Nguyensaid it is hoping to build a library, organize a summer camp for the community's children and create morespaces like Vietnamese restaurants for the community to gather.

"That is something that we miss," she said.

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