The Vietnamese crime rate for proven offenders was significantly lower than the non-Vietnamese rate over the 3-year period. Over 70 percent of Vietnamese minors making a court appearance were first offenders. Although the Vietnamese assault rate increased from 1985 to 1987, non-Vietnamese minors showed a similar upsurge in violent crimes. The mean offense rate for unaccompanied minors (without their parents) was significantly below the accompanied offender rate. The Vietnamese youth crime rate rose significantly from 1985 to 1987 and was more than double the rate for those over 24 years of age. Vietnamese youth, however, committed proportionately fewer crimes than non-Vietnamese youth. The violent crime rate for Vietnamese youth increased over the 3-year period but not significantly. Non-Vietnamese youth participation in fraud was much higher than for Vietnamese youth. Vietnamese youths' larceny rate doubled from 1986 to 1987, but it was still marginally lower than the non-Vietnamese rate. Vietnamese youth had much lower drunk driving and drug offense rates than non-Vietnamese youth, and females of all ages and populations were less prone to criminal activity than males. It is concluded that indigenous cultural values such as identity, family loyalty, and the "loss of face" incurred by antisocial activity may act as strong deterrents. 22 references, 29 tables, 3 figures.