By Claire Nguyen
Contributing Writer
As the sun goes down, the sound of sizzling grills and popping firecrackers fills the hot air of the Asian Garden Mall’s annual summer Night Market.
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For the past 15 years, the Westminster mall has packed its front parking lot with food stalls, jewelry stands, toy shops and live performances.
Belinda Nguyen has operated her food stall, Bà Tư Chợ Đêm, since the birth of the Night Market in Orange County’s Little Saigon.
“My grandma started it all,” Nguyen said. “She’s getting old now, so we’re carrying her legacy on.”
Throughout a recent night, a live band performed a mix of Vietnamese songs and pop hits. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and dance along to the variety of performers the market features.
Attendees dance the night away during the Night Market on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Anh Nguyen (left) dances with her brother-in-law Tony Dudys while the band plays on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Dakota Fox, 7, stomps on bang snaps during the Night Market on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Hoa Tran flips bánh khọt at one of Bà Tư Chợ Đêm’s food stalls on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
An Nguyen hypes up the crowd during the Night Market on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Belinda Nguyen flips kebabs at one of Bà Tư Chợ Đêm’s food stalls on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Thi Dep Ngo (left) takes selfies with her husband, Toan Viet Le, on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Kathy Vu (left) and Mama Mai dance and smile while the band plays on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Amy Wang (left) smiles at her boyfriend, Amrit Sandhu, because of a cute keychain on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Jazmin Nguyen sifts through clothes during the Night Market on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Dorian Romero (left) eats tornado fries with Rodolfo Curiel on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Hieu Mai flips and grills squid at the Mực Nướng stall during the Night Market on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Thanh Tong organizes merchandise at the Toy Outlet stand on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Asian Garden in Westminster. (Photo by Claire Nguyen, Contributing Photographer)
Singer An Nguyen started performing at the Night Market in 2021. In the past five years, he said he’s witnessed how large the Night Market has become.
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“This is the mecca of Vietnamese culture,” An Nguyen said. “We have people from around the United States to come be part of the culture that is here and eat the street food.”
Jazmin Nguyen is one of them. She and her husband, Jason, were in from Boston to visit family and decided to check out the Night Market while in the area.
“Anytime we visit, we always try to come to these night markets to just try good food and listen to new music,” Jazmin Nguyen said. “I love coming here. It’s a great time.”
As the night wore on, the most popular food stalls sold out by 10 p.m. Mực Nướng, a stall known for its fire-grilled squid, was one of them, closing its curtain and tearing down its tent.
The market is open Fridays through Sundays and hours are 7 to 11 p.m.; admission is free. The last weekend of the season is Aug. 7-9.
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For more information, visit asiangardenmall.com/night-market.html.