Best Metro Vancouver Neighbourhoods for Vietnamese Families (2026)

Choosing where to live is about more than the house itself. For many Vietnamese families settling in Metro Vancouver, it is about feeling at home — being close to familiar groceries and restaurants, good schools for the kids, temples or churches, and a reasonable commute. Here are the areas Vietnamese families tend to gravitate toward, and how to weigh what matters most for yours.

What makes an area "right" for a Vietnamese family

Before the neighbourhoods, it helps to know the ingredients most families look for:

• Vietnamese and Asian groceries and restaurants nearby.
• Good schools and safe streets for children (see school catchments when buying).
• A community — friends, family, and places of worship.
• Transit and commute — closeness to SkyTrain matters (see SkyTrain and affordability).
• A price that fits your budget.

Surrey

Surrey is one of the most popular choices for newcomer families. It offers more space for your money, a large and growing Asian community, plenty of Vietnamese and Asian groceries, and newer family homes. The trade-off is a longer commute to downtown Vancouver, though the SkyTrain expansion keeps improving that.

Burnaby

Burnaby sits in the middle — geographically and in price. It has excellent transit, big shopping (Metrotown), strong schools, and a very diverse, welcoming community. It is a great balance between the affordability of Surrey and the central location of Vancouver. (See our condo vs townhouse in Burnaby guide.)

Vancouver (East Side)

East Vancouver has a long-established Asian community, incredible food, and good transit, but prices are higher. Many families buy a condo or townhouse here rather than a detached house. If being central and connected matters most, it is worth the premium.

Richmond

Richmond has one of the largest Asian communities in North America, with unbeatable groceries, restaurants, and services. It is flat, family-friendly, and well connected by SkyTrain to the airport and downtown. Prices are moderate to high depending on the home type.

Coquitlam / Tri-Cities

A quieter, more suburban choice with good schools, parks, growing Asian shopping, and SkyTrain access. Popular with families who want space and calm without going as far as Surrey.

How to actually choose

Rank your priorities honestly: is it price, schools, community, or commute that matters most? No area wins on all four, so the right neighbourhood is the one that fits your family's top two or three. Visiting at different times of day — and talking to someone who knows these communities — makes the choice much clearer.

Frequently asked questions

Which Metro Vancouver area is best for Vietnamese families? It depends on your priorities. Surrey offers the most space for the money and a large community; Burnaby balances transit and price; Richmond and East Vancouver offer central Asian communities at higher prices. Rank price, schools, community, and commute for your family.

Where can I find Vietnamese groceries and restaurants in Metro Vancouver? Surrey, Richmond, and East Vancouver have especially strong concentrations, with growing options in Burnaby and Coquitlam. Most family-friendly suburbs now have good Asian grocery access.

Which area has the best value for a family home? Surrey and the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam area) generally offer more space and newer homes for the money, with the trade-off of a longer commute to downtown Vancouver.

How do I pick the right neighbourhood as a newcomer? Decide which two or three factors matter most — price, schools, community, or commute — since no single area wins on all of them. Visiting in person and getting local advice makes the decision much easier. Phan can help.

Looking for the right community? Ask Phan.

Phan knows these neighbourhoods and the Vietnamese communities in them firsthand. He speaks Vietnamese and English and can match your family to the right area based on your budget, your kids' schools, and how you want to live. Call or message Phan.