A large area in the eastern part of New Orleans, New Orleans East includes the urbanized area directly east of the industrial canal. The area provides one of the best ways to discover wildlife within the city’s limits. New Orleans East also includes the Lakefront Airport and NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility. A visit to these areas is truly a visit to an important part of New Orleans’ past, as well as its modern-day history.

Village de L’Est

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New Orleans East is known for its thriving community. The earliest Vietnamese settlers came in the years following 1975, and moved to the Versailles Arms apartment complex. As a result, Village de L’Est is also known as Versailles or “Little Vietnam.” The community is full of delicious Vietnamese cuisine, including the well-known Dong Phuong Restaurant & Bakery and other ways to discover the New Orleans-Vietnamese cultural connection. Each winter, the community celebrates Vietnamese New Year, or Tet.

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Visitors who hope to discover more about the New Orleans area’s wildlife and wetlands without leaving the city limits can find an outdoor haven in New Orleans East. Outdoorsmen will enjoy Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, Chef Menteur Pass, the Venetian Isles, Lake St. Catherine, Irish Bayou and the remains of historic Fort Pike.