I apologise if this question may seem idiotic to you, but I am not from New York, nor have I ever even been there.

Which of the following areas are situated in New York's Lower East Side?

Bronx
Brooklyn
Manhattan
Queens
Staten Island

None of them.

The 'Lower East Side' is a section of Manhattan.

Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island are all SEPARATE, outer boroughs of New York City.

Apple

The lower east side is situated in Manhatten.

Check this out if you are interested in the lower east side :
http://www.nycvisit.com/content/index.cfm?pagePkey=441


Don Cardi

Peter, since you posted your question in the "Organized Crime - Real Life" section, I assume you're wondering about the Lower East Side's involvement. Briefly, the Lower East Side is one of New York's oldest residential neighborhoods, and has been host to more gang activity than any other. The Martin Scorsese film, "Gangs of New York," shows some of that activity dating back to the pre-1850 days (based on the much better book of the same name by Herbert Asbury). WASP, Irish, Jewish, Italian, Eastern European, Hispanic and Asian gangs have all made the Lower East Side their turf. Today it's home to some of the toughest Viet Namese and Chinese gangs in the world.

Thank you for your help, AppleOnYa, Don Cardi and Turnbull.

I didn't know Asian gangs were as tough as they were percieved to be as in the movies - I thought they were just simple muscle and only participated in the smaller rackets (e.g. extortion, petty thievary, etc.) Thank you for clearing that up, Turnbull.

You're welcome, Peter!
Asian gangs in the US today are involved in some very big rackets: smuggling of illegal immigrants, prostitution, gambling, large-scale dope importation and distribution, and extortion on a wide scale. Their activities tend to be under-reported in the media because of the general secrecy maintained by Asian gangs and their victims; because of the popular misconception that all Asians are timid and are in the restaurant business; and because the New York City police force has few Asian members.

I've seen a few tv documentaries focusing on NYC Asian Gangs. Not on Vietnamese, though...primarily Chinese.

If what I watched is accurate, those are some sly, tough, MEAN motherfuckers.

Apple

The Chinese are big on people-smuggling in the UK also. Because they tend to keep themselves to themselves people tend to dis-regard them a little i think!
I would'nt want to get on the wrong side of the ol' Snakeheads

asian gangs are all real tough. they ride motorcycles. not afraid to get shot while driving.