Tucked away in Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City, lies a place that tells a story beyond the turquoise waters and limestone cliffs that Palawan is known for. Viet Ville, or the Vietnamese Refugee Village, is a quiet community built in the late 1970s as a haven for thousands of Vietnamese “boat people” who fled their country after the Vietnam War. Palawan became their sanctuary, and with the support of the Philippine government, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Catholic Church, the settlement thrived as a temporary home until the refugees could be resettled in other parts of the world.

Walking through the village today, you can still see remnants of its past. Small houses line the area, once bustling with the everyday lives of families who tried to rebuild a sense of normalcy after the trauma of escape.

The heart of the village remains Viet Ville Restaurant, which continues to serve authentic Vietnamese cuisine to locals and travelers. A steaming bowl of pho, with its fragrant broth and fresh herbs, tells the story of resilience and continuity. Each dish preserves the recipes of the refugees who once lived there, passed down to the present caretakers who keep the spirit of Viet Ville alive. For visitors, dining here is both a cultural experience and a historical journey.

Though many of the original residents have since migrated to other countries, Viet Ville stands as a quiet memorial of compassion and solidarity between nations. It reminds us that Palawan was once not just a paradise for tourists, but also a refuge for those seeking survival and dignity.