# Vietnamese people in Poland

Vietnamese people in Poland (Polish: Wietnamczycy w Polsce; Vietnamese: Người Việt tại Ba Lan) form one of the ethnic minorities in Poland. The Vietnamese-Polish community is the fourth-largest Vietnamese community in the European Union, after France, Germany, and Czechia, although its numbers are difficult to estimate, with common estimates ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 (2022). They are Poland's largest immigrant community whose culture is not European, and are sometimes perceived by the Polish public as being one of the largest minorities in Poland; the factual verification of that claim is difficult due to lack of precise data. While enjoying economic success and, along with other immigrants, perceived as a competition in the workforce, the Vietnamese community is regarded positively in Poland.

## Demography

There are no precise data on the number of Vietnamese people in Poland, as many (likely at least 50%) are illegal immigrants. The Polish census of 2011 had 4,027 respondents indicate Vietnamese as their nationality. The Vietnamese embassy and Vietnamese community leaders in Poland estimate that about 20,000 to 30,000 Vietnamese people may reside in Poland, though the Polish government in 2002 put the upper possible range at about 50,000. A 2008 Polish government report gave the range of 25,000–60,000, a 2012 media report also suggested an upper range of 60,000, while a 2014 academic paper provided an estimate of 35,000, with a note that this number is "hard to estimate".
As they are Poland's largest immigrant community whose culture is not European, they are also one of Poland's most visible immigrant groups. Members of the Polish public commonly hold the mistaken belief that Vietnamese form Poland's largest foreign community, a title which in fact belongs to migrants from the former USSR. The Vietnamese-Polish population is concentrated in the Polish capital of Warsaw, and to a lesser extent in other major cities.

## History

Poland–Vietnam relations grew from the 1950s and 1980s student exchange programs, as during this period both countries were allied members of the Eastern Bloc (the former then known as the Polish People's Republic). Many of the Vietnamese students who stayed in Poland following their studies would start working as vendors on street markets, which were booming in Poland of the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, over time, some would move on to other industries as their fluency in Polish grew and their position in the country became more stable.
Following the change of regime in Poland, resulting in privatisation and transition to a market economy in the 1990s, the country gradually became a more attractive destination for the Vietnamese people, especially small entrepreneurs; this triggered a second, larger wave of Vietnamese immigration to Poland. Many began as vendors in the open air market bazaar at the 10th-Anniversary Stadium, selling clothes or cheap food. As of 2005, there were between 1,100 and 1,200 Vietnamese-owned stands in the area. As of 2002, there were an estimated 500 Vietnamese restaurants in Warsaw, mostly serving fast food. The cuisine offered by some of the Vietnamese businesses in Poland changed over the years, from lower quality takeaways to more authentic Vietnamese dishes.
The 10th-Anniversary Stadium has been called the centre of the Vietnamese-Polish community. The Vietnamese community is also served by a number of non-governmental organisations, run by the community itself. Over time, as the street markets and bazaars of Poland diminished, the Vietnamese community in Warsaw and other parts of the country began to switch to different sectors. Although traditionally associated with trading at stalls, some of the Vietnamese minority in Poland (particularly younger individuals) are now working in graphic design, IT, insurance, and banking. Some of the older generation also gave up selling at bazaars in favour of running beauty salons.

## Language

Although English remains the most popular foreign language in Poland, there is an increasing number of students interested in other languages, including Vietnamese.
In 2007, the Lac Long Quan School was opened in Warsaw to teach the language to Vietnamese children and provide Vietnamese adults working and living abroad with the opportunity to practice speaking their own language. Aside from learning the Vietnamese language, students are also educated in Vietnamese art, history, geography, culture, and customs. Additionally, the school holds festivals and other important events on special occasions such as Tết, Vietnamese lunar new year. Later, the school opened new branches in Raszyn and Wrocław.