Find Vietnamese in Berlin - Complete Guide 2026

Berlin is home to Germany's largest Vietnamese community with over 30,000 registered Vietnamese residents. The story of this vibrant community dates back to the 1980s, when thousands of Vietnamese "contract workers" arrived in East Berlin during the GDR era.

What started as a temporary labor program evolved into a deeply rooted, dynamic community that enriches Berlin's cultural and economic landscape today. From the bustling markets of Dong Xuan Center to authentic restaurants in Lichtenberg - the Vietnamese presence is an integral part of Berlin.

Why Berlin has the largest Vietnamese community

The connection between Berlin and Vietnam has historical roots:

GDR Era (1980-1989):

• Over 60,000 Vietnamese contract workers came to the GDR
• Many stayed after reunification in 1990
• Berlin became the natural center of the community

After Reunification (1990-today):

• Family reunification brought additional generations
• Development of own business ecosystem
• Integration into Berlin life while preserving culture

Today (2026):

• 30,000+ registered Vietnamese residents
• Estimated 15,000+ with Vietnamese background (incl. 2nd generation)
• Over 200 Vietnamese businesses
• Active cultural and social organizations

The Hotspots: Where Vietnamese meet in Berlin

1. Dong Xuan Center - The Heart of the Community

Address: Herzbergstraße 128-139, 10365 Berlin (Lichtenberg)

The Dong Xuan Center is not just a market - it's the cultural and social hub of the Vietnamese community in Europe. With over 200 shops spanning 50,000 square meters, it's the largest Asian market outside of Asia.

What you'll find:

• Authentic Vietnamese groceries
• Fresh herbs unavailable in German supermarkets
• Textiles, jewelry, electronics
• Vietnamese restaurants and food stalls
• Hair salons, beauty salons, travel agencies
• Community bulletin boards with events

Insider tip: Saturdays between 10am-2pm are busiest - perfect for experiencing the community vibe, but expect queues at popular restaurants.

2. Lichtenberg & Marzahn - Traditional Neighborhoods

Lichtenberg is the historical center where many contract workers had their first apartments. Today you'll find:

• Alte Möbelfabrik: Artist community with Vietnamese artists
• Herzbergstraße: Row of Vietnamese restaurants
• Frankfurter Allee: Modern Vietnamese cafés

Marzahn became the second center in the 90s:

• Larger apartments for families
• Own Vietnamese schools and community centers
• Weekend Vietnamese language schools for kids

3. Top Vietnamese Restaurants in Berlin

Insider tip: The most authentic restaurants are often the most unassuming. Ask locals at Dong Xuan Center for recommendations!

4. Vietnamese Cafés & Bubble Tea

Berlin has a growing Vietnamese café scene:

• Cà Phê Việt (Friedrichshain): Authentic Vietnamese iced coffee
• Saigon Café (Lichtenberg): Meeting point for older generation
• Boba Berlin (Kreuzberg): Bubble tea with Vietnamese touch

Events & Festivals: When the Community Comes Together

Tet Festival - Vietnamese New Year

When: January/February (lunar calendar) Where: Dong Xuan Center & various locations

The Tet Festival is the most important event of the year:

• Traditional lion dances
• Vietnamese music and performances
• Food stalls with festive specialties
• Family gatherings
• Temple visits

2026 Tet Date: January 29, 2026 (Year of the Snake)

Other Important Events

Finding Vietnamese People in Berlin Online

The Challenge

While offline meeting places like Dong Xuan Center exist, online networking is often difficult:

Problems on classic platforms:

• ❌ Facebook groups are chaotic
• ❌ Dating apps like Tinder don't show cultural connection
• ❌ Many fake profiles and scammers
• ❌ No way to filter by "origin + current location"

The Solution: Asia-Zone

Asia-Zone was built exactly for this challenge:

1. Origin/Stay Matching - Globally Unique

Origin: Vietnam (Hanoi region)
Current Location: Berlin, Germany
→ Find people with same origin in your city!

2. 100% Verified Profiles

• Selfie verification mandatory
• No fake profiles, no scammers
• Safer than any other platform

3. Multiple Purposes

• 💑 Dating & Relationships
• 👔 Business Network
• 👫 Friendships & Community
• 🎉 Events & Groups

4. Multilingual

• German & English standard
• Also Vietnamese for older generation

👉 Sign up for free now - Join in 30 seconds!

Business & Networking: Vietnamese Economy in Berlin

The Vietnamese community is known for its entrepreneurial spirit:

Industries with Strong Vietnamese Presence

Gastronomy (40% of all Vietnamese businesses)

• Over 80 Vietnamese restaurants
• 30+ food stalls and cafés
• Catering services

Trade (30%)

• Import/export with Vietnam
• Asia shops and markets
• Online trade (textiles, electronics)

Services (20%)

• Nail salons (often Vietnamese-run)
• Hair salons
• Travel agencies
• Translation services

Tech & Startups (10%)

• Growing scene of Vietnamese tech entrepreneurs
• E-commerce shops
• App development

Networking Opportunities

Offline:

• Vietnamese Entrepreneur Association Berlin - Monthly meetings
• Dong Xuan Business Club - First Saturday of each month
• Asia Business Networking Events - Quarterly

Online:

• Asia-Zone Business Profile - Verified business contacts
• LinkedIn groups (often inactive or full of spam)

Second Generation: Vietnamese-German Identity

A special aspect of Berlin's Vietnamese community is the second generation - young people growing up between two cultures:

Typical Experiences

At Home: Vietnamese culture, language, food Outside: German school, friends, work Identity: "Viet-Germans" - not quite here, not quite there

Community for 2nd Generation

• Viet-German Meetups - Exchange about bi-cultural experiences
• Vietnamese language courses for 2nd gen (many speak it poorly)
• Cultural events connecting both worlds

Asia-Zone offers:

• Filter for "2nd generation"
• Find people who share same experiences
• Dating between Viet-Germans (understand both cultures)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many Vietnamese live in Berlin?

Officially, about 30,000 Vietnamese nationals are registered in Berlin (as of 2024). The actual number is higher when including people with Vietnamese migration background (2nd and 3rd generation) - estimated 15,000-20,000 people.

Where is the Vietnamese quarter in Berlin?

The traditional center is Lichtenberg, especially around Herzbergstraße and Dong Xuan Center. Marzahn also has a large Vietnamese community. Unlike "Chinatowns" in other cities, there's no clearly defined "Vietnamese Town" but rather several hotspots.

Is Dong Xuan Center only for Vietnamese?

No! Dong Xuan Center is open to everyone. It's a popular destination for tourists, foodies, and anyone looking for Asian products. The atmosphere is welcoming, though it helps to know some Vietnamese or come with someone who knows the community.

How do I find Vietnamese friends in Berlin?

Offline options:

• Visit Dong Xuan Center (liveliest on Saturdays)
• Vietnamese restaurants (become a regular)
• Tet Festival and events
• Sports clubs with Vietnamese members

Online options:

• Asia-Zone (verified profiles, filter specifically for Vietnamese in Berlin)
• Facebook groups "Vietnamese in Berlin" (unstructured, lots of spam)
• Meetup events

Are there Vietnamese singles events?

Yes! Especially around Tet (January/February) there are often singles meetings for Vietnamese. Traditionally organized by families or community groups ("Làm mối" - matchmaking).

Modern & online: Asia-Zone offers targeted dating for Vietnamese in Berlin with verified profiles.

Where can I find authentic Vietnamese groceries?

Top addresses:

1. Dong Xuan Center - Largest selection, best prices
2. Asia-Mekong (Marzahn) - Well-stocked, closer for East Berliners
3. Vinh Loi (Kreuzberg) - Small but good, central
4. Go Asia (multiple locations) - Commercial chain but solid

Insider tip: The freshest herbs are available Saturday mornings at Dong Xuan Center, directly from Vietnamese gardeners.

How do I get to Dong Xuan Center?

Address: Herzbergstraße 128-139, 10365 Berlin

Public Transport:

• S-Bahn: S5, S7, S75 to "Lichtenberg"
• Then bus M13 or 21 to "Herzbergstraße/Industriegebiet"

Car: Free parking available (full on weekends!)

Opening Hours:

• Mon-Sat: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Sun: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Can I get to know the community as a non-Vietnamese?

Absolutely! The Vietnamese community in Berlin is very open and welcoming:

• Restaurants welcome all guests
• Dong Xuan Center is accessible to everyone
• Events like Tet Festival are public
• Many German-Vietnamese couples and mixed friend groups

Showing respect:

• Interest in the culture
• Learn a few Vietnamese words ("Xin chào" = Hello)
• Openness to new food

Your Next Steps

You now have a comprehensive overview of the Vietnamese community in Berlin. What now?

Option 1: Explore Offline

1. 📍 Visit Dong Xuan Center (Saturday 10am-2pm)
2. 🍜 Try an authentic restaurant (e.g., Pho Co)
3. 🎉 Go to the next Tet Festival (January 29, 2026)

Option 2: Connect Online

1. 👤 Create a profile on Asia-Zone (30 seconds)
2. 🔍 Filter for "Vietnamese in Berlin"
3. ✅ Verify yourself (selfie) for more matches
4. 💬 Start connections - dating, business, or friendship

Option 3: Business Networking

1. 👔 Create a business profile on Asia-Zone
2. 📊 Showcase your service/product
3. 🤝 Connect with 200+ Vietnamese entrepreneurs

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Why Asia-Zone for Vietnamese in Berlin?

The problem with other platforms:

• Tinder/Bumble: No cultural connection
• Facebook: Chaotic, lots of spam
• WeChat: Only for Chinese
• Existing apps: Full of fake profiles

Asia-Zone is different:

• ✅ 100% verified profiles - No fakes, no scammers
• ✅ Origin/Stay Matching - Find people from your region in Berlin
• ✅ Multi-purpose - Dating, business, community
• ✅ Multilingual - DE, EN, VI
• ✅ Built for diaspora - Understands your two-worlds identity

Start for free:

1. Google login (1 click)
2. Enter origin (e.g., Hanoi)
3. Current location (Berlin)
4. Instantly see 100+ profiles

👉 Sign up now - Join in 30 seconds!

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Berlin is home to Germany's largest Vietnamese community. Whether you're new to the city, seeking your roots, or simply want to meet people with similar backgrounds - the community is here, vibrant and welcoming.

From Dong Xuan Center to Tet Festival, from traditional restaurants to modern startups - Vietnamese culture is an integral part of Berlin.

And with Asia-Zone, you'll find exactly the people you're looking for - verified, authentic, with the same origin.

See you in the community! 🇻🇳🇩🇪

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Last updated: December 27, 2025 Found errors or have additions? Contact us!