The second annual Boston Little Saigon Cho Dem (Night Market) presented a cavalcade of exciting entertainment, food, and fun on Dorchester Avenue and Town Field last Saturday, with thousands flocking to Fields Corner to take in the increasingly popular evening on the Ave.

This year, the city closed Dorchester Avenue from Adams Street to Park Street, making it a piazza for Night Market’s feast of Vietnamese and Dorchester culture, food, and games. Restaurants and cafes from right in Fields Corner and other vendors serving Vietnamese specialties from out of the area set up shop on the street as about 20,000 people strolled the avenue for over five hours as the Red Line trains lumbered by on the bridge.

The excitement and vibe were electric, but the main artery wasn’t as congested with people as it was last year, mostly because the community vendors and entertainment stage were at Town Field this time.

The popular K-Pop group ‘Hush Crew’ – based out of Boston and Los Angeles – has been on the rise lately with its dance choreography and performances. The group headlined the entertainment stage at the 6 p.m. timeslot and drew hundreds of excited young people and adults to Town Field.

There were community groups, cultural presentations, health/wellness demonstrations, and the Boston and Los Angeles-based K-Pop group “Hush Crew” performed, drawing hundreds of young people and adults to their 6 p.m. headliner show. Crowds also packed in for local groups like the Vovinam Lion Dancers out of Lower Mills.

Vovinam Director Johnny Ho said he and his group were the first act to kick off the Night Market stage, and the young people were honored to be part of such a growing and exciting festival in their home neighborhood.

“The Night Market is amazing,” he said. “So far it is the largest crowd organized by the Vietnamese in the Fields Corner. There were many food stands and so many excellent performances. We were very proud to kick off the event with the lion dancers. What I saw was many happy faces and there were so many nationalities and different people that enjoyed watching the performers and trying the food. To me, it is a successful event.”

Said Jeannie Cai, of the Boston Night Market organization, “Street food and night markets are a big part of the culture in Vietnam, and to know that we were able to bring that experience to Dorchester for thousands of people to enjoy is a great success.”

Vi Ta, Owner of Dorchester’s Hương Quê Vietnamese Restaurant, said the event was much improved over last year, which was considered a great success.

“For the second year that this event has happened, and with no mishaps and injuries, is already a major accomplishment,” said Ta. “This event is very needed for the Vietnamese community in Massachusetts to have to celebrate together and share our culture with others, generally speaking, and for small businesses like mine to have a platform to be better recognized.”

Friends Lore Huynh, Dennis Do, Kimmie Huynh, and Rex Galecia, with Ghost the dog, had a great time strolling up and down Dorchester Avenue Saturday evening.

Yeanie Bach arranges strawberries and whipped cream on a crepe while Devin Jones (off camera) pours out another new crepe on their griddle.

Dorchester’s Thea Nguyen jumped on stage with K-Pop headliners ‘Hush Crew’ during the interactive portion of the show, having a blast with Hush Crew’s Alice Yih. Nguyen’s mother said they know all the songs and dances because they listen to them at home all the time.

Enjoying some time on Dorchester Avenue were Chulan Huang, Mayoral Liaison for Downtown/Chinatown/Leather District; Lily Huang; Bonnie Jin, of the Mayors Office’s Digital Team; and Dorchester resident Anthony Nguyen, new director of SPARK Boston.

Vovinam Lion Dancers Alana and Katarina Ho were part of the local group that kicked off the entertainment stage on Town Field at the 2023 Night Market.

Kathrine Nguyen and Ava Ho were part of a special performance by the local Vovinam Lion Dance crew that kicked off the 2023 Night Market entertainment stage on Town Field.

Tina Vo of Boston Little Saigon helped organize the event and worked the organization’s booth on Town Field.

Residents Angela Herbert and Virginia Matute found two comfortable seats on Town Field to enjoy a cup of fruit and take it all in.

One of the booths on Dorchester Avenue sponsored by Ba-Le Sandwich Shop was a tutorial on the famous Vietnamese Bah Mi sandwich. Using some crafting expertise, Dorchester’s Khanh Bui built this model Bah Mi sandwich using foamboard insulation and a hot iron.

Retired police officer and Dorchester resident Eric Eversley, with Andrea Eversley, enjoying the Night Market food offerings.

Boston Councillor Erin Murphy and Boston Little Saigon Night Market volunteers Anthony Nguyen (Murphy’s former student) and Matthew Broude.

Jeremy Ferguson, Brian Dailey, Eric Mendoza, Kim Dailey, and Frank Swoboda, with Firecracker the dog, enjoying the White Lion Brewery beer garden on Dorchester Avenue. The Blarney Stone also set up a beer garden on the south end of the event, and a hard seltzer company set up a beer garden by Adams Street as well.

VietAID Director George Huynh with Guadalupe Morales in front of the Boston Little Saigon boat near Adams Street.

Tran Le and Natalie Le of Pho Le Restaurant in Fields Corner serve up fruit and savory treats to the many customers that flocked to Dorchester Avenue for a sampling of Vietnamese cuisine.

Britt and Celeste Harter relaxed on Town Field with some lemonade at the Night Market.

The popular K-Pop group ‘Hush Crew’ – based out of Boston and Los Angeles – performed on the main stage in Town Field.

A member of Hush Crew on the Town Field stage.