The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen
Society & Culture
About
Being part of a culture of almost 100 million Vietnamese people living in the world today has its pain and challenges, but it comes with plenty of history, privileges and honors. Join Kenneth Nguyen as he spotlights Vietnamese excellence from around the world. Each episode explores the creative process of individuals shaping the diversity of what it means to be Vietnamese--as a local, born and raised, or as a third culture kid, and even the divisions that separate us politically and culturally. This show can take multiple directions, but what it will do is show Vietnamese from a transpacific lens, in all its facets and complexities.
Episodes
- 497 - Can An Independent Vietnamese-American Actually Win A Seat In Congress? - Nina Linh
Nina Linh, an Independent candidate for CA-40, explains her "Radical Middle" political strategy, focusing on transparency via quarterly roundtables and appealing to "politically homeless" voters. She details her approach to campaigning fin…
- 496 - How Can Vietnamese Accents Affect Beatboxing? - Trung Bao
Trung Bao discusses how the Northern Vietnamese accent influences his beatboxing. He explains that the language's monosyllabic and tonal nature, along with specific tongue positions, creates unique sounds in his beatboxing.
- 495 - Is The British-Vietnamese Creative Scene About To Explode? - Tuyen Do
This episode features Kenneth Nguyen and Tuyen Do, who discuss the British-Vietnamese creative scene. Tuyen Do shares her experiences as an actress, playwright, and novelist, along with her family's history as Vietnamese refugees in the UK.
- 494 - Is Vietnamese Food In The US Stuck In The 70’s? - Duyen Ha
Duyen Ha, a culinary expert, joins Ken to discuss the evolution of Vietnamese food, contrasting the scene in Vietnam with its diaspora counterpart in the U.S. She shares insights into her culinary philosophy, including her "2-hour student"…
- 493 - What Is There To Hate About The Vietnamese Culture? - Kavi Vu
Kavi Vu, a poet, videographer, and cultural storyteller, discusses her journey of reclaiming heritage, transitioning careers, and navigating modern artistic challenges. The episode explores Vietnamese culture through the lens of live shopp…
- 492 - Who really took the "Napalm Girl" photo? - Carl Robinson
In this episode, Carl Robinson shares his experience as an editor for the Associated Press during the Vietnam War. He discusses the true story behind the "Napalm Girl" photo and his journey to find the real photographer, as depicted in the…
- 491 - How Much Of Yourself Can You Be In Music? - Bobo.Xx
This episode features artist Bobo.Xx, who discusses his artistic evolution. He shares insights into his identity, his journey from the Bay Area to LA, and the various influences on his music.
- 490 - Why Is A Ginger So Into The Vietnamese Culture? - Phúc Mập & @littlesaigon.official
This episode of The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen features Phúc Mập and Chris from Little Saigon Official. They discuss the Vietnamese diaspora, focusing on language learning, cultural identity, and community preservation.
- 489 - Why "Saigon Bonbon" Could Be Our Cultural Export of 2026? - Saigon Bonbon: Tee Tran, Bao Han, Michael Le
In this episode of The Vietnamese, Ken Nguyen discusses Saigon Bonbon with Tee Tran, Bao Han, and Michael Le. They explore the brand's vision, its connection to Vietnamese culture and resilience, and its success as a cultural export. The c…
- 488 - Is "Y Van" More Than Just a Movie? - Khoa Ha
Filmmaker Khoa Ha discusses her documentary "YVAN: The Lost Sounds of Saigon," which focuses on the work of her grandfather, composer Y Vân. The conversation covers Y Vân's musical range and the film's creation.
- 487 - Can You Be Funny Without Being Bullied As A Kid? - Tree Vo
Tree Vo joins Kenneth Nguyen to discuss her career transition, Vietnamese identity, and the intersection of trauma and comedy. They cover topics such as linguistic history, cultural differences, and the role of AI in creative expression.
- 486 - How Does Self Love and Patriarchy Work Together? Mia from Việt Boss Babe
Mia from Viet Boss Babe and Kenneth Nguyen discuss self-love and patriarchy. They explore the role of the modern Vietnamese man and societal expectations.
- 485 - What Does It Take To Be A Good Comedian? - Will Pepper
Will Pepper joins Kenneth Nguyen to discuss his career in comedy, his family background, and the story behind his family name. They also talk about his journey from pre-med student to comedian and the importance of emotional intelligence i…
- 484 - How Is Space Travel Important? - Kevin Quach
Kevin Quach, an Aerospace Engineer at Blue Origin, discusses his work testing rockets and his career in aerospace. He also shares insights into space travel, lunar missions, and the future of the aerospace industry.
- 483 - Is Our Identity Angst Holding Us Back? - @littlesaigon.official, @discoverlittlesaigon
This episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, with Little Saigon Official, explores whether the Vietnamese diaspora is overly concerned with its past. The discussion questions if an "Identity Loop" prevents progress and examines the "biological…
- 482 - When Will We Have A Vietnamese F1 Driver? - Owen Tangavelou Nguyen
Owen Tangavelou Nguyen, a French-Vietnamese Formula 3 driver, aims to be the first person of Vietnamese descent to reach Formula 1. He discusses his racing journey, the financial realities of professional racing, and the progression throug…
- 481 - Why Was The Tonkin School Dangerous? - Viet History Makers
This episode discusses the Tonkin Free School, an educational experiment in 1907 Hanoi that lasted 10 months. It explores the school's impact on Vietnamese history, its curriculum, and the reasons for its closure by the French colonial gov…
- 480 - Can You Scale Culture Without Losing Authenticity? - Viet Nguyen
This episode features Viet Nguyen, founder of KEI Concepts, a hospitality group. He discusses scaling culture, his new restaurant Qua, and his James Beard Award semi-finalist recognition. He also talks about respecting culinary heritage wh…
- 479 - Can We Break Free From Refugee Trauma? - Peter Broke The Habit
This episode features Peter from Broke the Habit, who discusses intergenerational trauma from the refugee experience, the contrast between wealth and local life in Saigon, and the burden of parental guilt. He also explores why the Vietname…
- 478 - Who Are the Vietnamese European Creators? Brittany Tran, HIEN, Duzan Duong
This episode of "The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen" focuses on Vietnamese European creators. Guests Brittany Tran, Duzan Duong, and Hien discuss topics including Vietnamese migration to Europe, reclaiming identity through art, and the fut…
- 477 - How do we reclaim our hidden Vietnamese roots? - Quentin Nguyễn-Duy
Quentin Nguyễn-Duy joins Kenneth Nguyen to discuss his experiences as a white-passing individual in the Vietnamese diaspora and his journey in the acting world. He shares insights on navigating identity, dealing with rejection, and his inv…
- 476 - Can We Move Beyond “Made in Vietnam” labels? - Khanh Ngo
Khanh Ngo discusses his journey in the fashion industry, including his experiences with corporate brands and a dispute with HBO over perceived stereotypes. He also shares his perspectives on systemic bias in fashion and the future of Vietn…
- 475 - What Can Vietnamese Learn From Black America? - Ryan Lex
In this episode, Ryan Alexander Holmes discusses his perspective as a "Blasian" American. The conversation explores how race, class, and the American educational system shape reality. Ryan argues that the "predator class" benefits from soc…
- 474 - How Did Vietnam save this broken Aussie’s life? - Ethan Kelly
Ethan Kelly, also known as "Uc Viet," shares his story of moving to Vietnam after a business failure in Australia. He discusses his experiences with cultural immersion, learning Vietnamese, and addressing sensitive historical topics.
- 473 - Is Deportation With Dignity Possible? - Dr. Thao Ha
Dr. Thao Ha joins Kenneth Nguyen to discuss mass deportations affecting Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian communities. She shares insights from her nonprofit, Collective Freedom, and her perspective on the "American Dream" for refugees.
- 472 - What Really Happened With The Gucci Scandal? - Lynda Trang Dai
Lynda Trang Dai discusses the Gucci store incident in which she was accused of concealing an AirPods case. She also shares her experiences as a Vietnamese American artist and her upbringing after moving to the U.S. at age 10.
- 471 - How Is Life In Vietnam Healthier For A Black American? - Whitney Da'Gail Pt.2
Whitney Da'Gail discusses why she feels a sense of peace in Vietnam that she can't find in America. She also explores the similarities between Black American and Vietnamese cultures, including colorism, and the concept of American identity.
- 470 - Are We All Born with the “IT” Factor? - Kathy Uyen
In this episode, Kenneth Nguyen and Kathy Uyen discuss the "IT" factor, confidence, and cultural influences on self-expression. They also explore the differences between Western and Vietnamese mindsets and the growth of the Vietnamese film…
- 469 - Why Do Vietnamese People Avoid Therapy? - Dr. Lu Le
In this episode, Kenneth Nguyen and Dr. Lu Le discuss why Vietnamese people might avoid therapy, exploring cultural factors, the distinction between psychiatry and psychology, and the effects of technology on the brain.
- 468 - Is Modern Vietnamese Writing The Colonizer’s Alphabet? Viet Origins with Professor John Phan
This episode discusses the origins and evolution of the Vietnamese Romanized alphabet, Chữ Quốc ngữ. Professor John Phan joins Kenneth Nguyen to explore its historical development and the various influences that shaped it.
- Vietcetera Innovators Digest: 15 Harsh Truths About Life That Nobody Wants To Admit
In this episode of Vietnam Innovators, Kenneth Nguyen discusses 15 life truths that are shaped by personal experience with host Hao Tran. This conversation explores perspectives that may not align with common beliefs, stepping away from th…
- 467 - How Is Black Culture & Vietnamese Culture Similar? - Whitney Dagail
Whitney Da’Gail, a Black woman from Louisiana, shares her experiences living in Vietnam. She discusses cultural overlaps, navigating identity in a new country, and moments of both acceptance and colorism.
- 466 - How Did Buddhism Affect The War? Viet History Makers - Thich Tri Quang
This episode discusses how Buddhism affected the Vietnam War, focusing on the figure of Thich Tri Quang. It explores his political theories and actions, including his stance on American bombing and his role in the downfall of the Ngo Dinh…
- 465 - Why Should You Care About Guam? - Guam Kimbo Marines & Nam C Kim
This episode of The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen features John Irwin and Robbie Parsley, U.S. Marines who served in Operation New Life during the April 1975 evacuation of South Vietnam. They discuss the humanitarian crisis, the challenge…
- 464 - What Was Saigon Like After The Fall? - Claudia Krich
In this episode, Claudia Krich discusses her experiences as an American who remained in Saigon after April 30, 1975. She challenges the "bloodbath" narrative by sharing her firsthand accounts of daily life resuming after the war ended.
- 463 - Was Madame Nhu The Downfall Of The South? Viet History Makers - Madame Nhu
This episode of "The Vietnamese" podcast examines the life and political influence of Madame Nhu (Trần Lệ Xuân) during the Cold War era in South Vietnam. The discussion covers her background, rise to power, and controversial public image,…
- 462 - Part 2 AMA - What Is Chữ Nôm Premodern Hip Hop? Viet Origins with Professor John Phan
This episode is an AMA with Professor John Phan from Columbia University, answering listener questions about Chữ Nôm and premodern Vietnamese hip hop. It clarifies points and explores new ideas from a previous episode.
- 461 - How Do You Evolve Beyond Military Success? - Quang Pham
Quang Pham, a Vietnamese American, discusses his life story of resilience, service, and reinvention. His path includes serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as an aviator and later becoming a successful entrepreneur and biotech CEO.
- 460 - How Can We Be More Than The Scenery? Cathy Linh Che
Cathy Linh Che, a poet and filmmaker, discusses her upbringing and the making of her documentary, "We Were The Scenery." The film explores themes of representation, memory, and identity.
- 459 - What Led You To Win The Squid Game Challenge? Mai Whelan - Season 1 Winner
Mai Whelan, winner of Squid Game: The Challenge, shares her life story, including her experiences as a Vietnamese refugee and U.S. Navy service member. She discusses the resilience, sacrifice, and determination that helped her win the comp…
- 458 - Would You Correct History If You Had A Chance? The Stringer by Bao Nguyen
Director Bao Nguyen discusses his documentary, "The Stringer," which premieres on Netflix on November 28, 2025. The film investigates the true authorship of the "Napalm Girl" photograph and explores journalistic ethics, wartime reporting,…
- 457 - What is the U.S. Spending to Find POW/MIA Personnel 50 Years After the End of the War?
This episode discusses the U.S. government's expenditure of over $85 million in the last decade to search for POW/MIA personnel in Vietnam. It examines the effectiveness and diplomatic considerations behind this ongoing effort.
- 456 - When Will Vietnam Export More Brands and Not Just Products? Chris Do
Chris Do and Kenneth Nguyen discuss Vietnam's potential for global brands, exploring challenges and lessons from Japanese craftsmanship. The conversation covers creativity, culture, economic challenges, and the importance of focus and long…
- 455 - Why Do We Need More Vietnamese American in the U.S. Armed Forces? Tino Dinh and Thomas Nguyen
Kenneth Nguyen speaks with Tino Dinh and Thomas Nguyen, two Vietnamese American veterans. They discuss the Vietnamese American Uniformed Services Association (VAUSA) and the role of Vietnamese Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- 454 - Why Was Becoming The First Vietnamese American Politician Important? Tony Lam
This episode features Tony Lam, the first Vietnamese American to be elected to public office in the US. He shares his experiences from his early life in Vietnam, fleeing as a refugee, and his historic election to the Westminster City Counc…
- 453- How Real Are Vietnamese Legends? Professor Nam C. Kim and Professor John Phan.
In this episode, Professors Nam C. Kim and John Phan join Kenneth Nguyen to explore how Vietnam's ancient past and legends, such as those of the Trung Sisters, influence its modern identity. They discuss the intersection of myth, politics,…
- 452 - How Can Dance Be a Form of Resistance And Reflection? Dam Van Huynh
Dam Van Huynh, a dancer and choreographer, explores how dance can be a form of resistance and reflection. He discusses his work, which synthesizes his Vietnamese heritage and Western influences.
- 451 - How Far Would You Go To Tell Your Story - Film Director Duzan Duong
Film director Duzan Duong discusses his debut feature film, Summer School 2001, with Kenneth Nguyen. They cover the creative and personal journey behind the film, European film financing, casting, and the emotional core of the story.
- 450 - Can The Viet Film Fest Shift Cultural Narratives? Eric Nong - 2025 Viet Film Festival Preview
In this episode, Kenneth Nguyen and Eric Nong discuss the 2025 Viet Film Fest, the evolution of Vietnamese cinema, and the role of AI in film. They cover film selections and the behind-the-scenes curation process.
- 449 - Is Vietnamese Culture Being Replaced by Korean entertainment? Karen Tran Wood - IW Group
Karen Tran Wood, Head of Entertainment Marketing & Publicity at IW Group, discusses inclusive marketing strategies in Hollywood, the future of Vietnamese film and music, and AI's role in entertainment. She also addresses the comparison bet…