top of page

Our Story

One of the largest Asian market retailers & distributors in the Pacific Northwest.

Our History

"From humble beginnings to humble service."

Viet Wah's founder and CEO, Duc Tran, came to Seattle in 1976 as a refugee fleeing the Vietnam War. He arrived in America with only the clothes on his back and $10 in his pocket. After learning English, he began work as a translator helping other newly-arrived refugees find apartments, hunt for jobs, and settle into their new lives. Duc soon realized a huge difficulty facing this new community was the lack of access to the food they'd eaten back in Vietnam.

​

In 1981, he opened the very first Viet-Wah in hopes of bringing the tastes and flavors of Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine to the Asian American community of Seattle. Tran's tiny grocery store became a beloved and well-known part of the International District.

​

Eventually, he was able to expand Viet Wah into a larger location on South Jackson street, and began carrying ingredients from Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, the Phillipines and a host of other Asian countries. In 2006, Viet-Wah opened another location in Renton, Washington. 

​

​

​

about us

“More than just a grocery store”

Viet-Wah opened in 1981 as a tiny mom and pop grocery store in Seattle's Chinatown-International district.

 

Over the years, that one tiny store has grown into the

Viet-Wah Group, which now employs over 60 people at two retail locations.

​

Viet-Wah has become a recognized major provider of imported grocery and food items from Asia. We pride ourselves on bringing hard-to-find quality Asian foods to many diverse communities in the Pacific Northwest.  

​

​

​

Our Mission

Viet-Wah strives to deliver exceptional Asian food and related products by building a company that values our customers, employees, partners, and local communities.

Community Values

“We define success as giving back.”

We have a strong commitment to our community and its future. Viet-Wah Group organizes and sponsors efforts to support children’s education, health and human services, at home and abroad. Below are some of Viet-Wah Group’s recognized work in Seattle, Renton, and Washington state’s local communities.

​

  • American Red Cross

  • Asian Counseling and Referral Services

  • Hongbang Vietnamese Language School

  • Indochina Chinese Refugee Association

  • International Community Health Services

  • Keiro Northwest

  • Kin On Nursing Home

  • Renton International Festival

  • Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce

  • Tet in Seattle 

  • Vietnamese American Women Humanitarian Organization

  • Vietnamese Seafair Pageant

  • Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce

  • Vovinam

  • Yep Sen Chinese School

  • World Concern

SERVICES

“Your opportunities beyond retail.”

Viet-Wah Group offers service beyond retail such as:

​​

  • Distribution

  • Access to sourcing broad Asian product line

  • Private labeling

  • Exclusive distributorship

  • Extensive domestic and international supplier relationships

  • International alliances and affiliates

 

See how we can help expand your business opportunities.  

To learn more, contact us

WEEKLY SPECIALS

 

Shop our Weekly Specials and sign up to our newsletter for the latest deals.  Also don't forget to follow us on Facebook.

​

​

GIFT CARDS​

​

Viet-Wah gift cards make a perfect gift for any occasion.  Give them to family, friends, co-workers, or just about anyone.

CAREERS​

​

If you share our dedication to service and quality, we'd love to welcome you aboard.  

​

​

bottom of page