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The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen: Daily Summaries Delivered
by thevietnamesepodcast
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.
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- 2 days ago53 min
540 - $12 Billion A Year! Did Overseas Remittances Secretly Rebuilt Modern Vietnam? - Phu Nguyen
How did family remittances, refugee history, and Little Saigon business shape the long road toward reconciliation?In this episode, Ken sits down with long-time friend Phu Nguyen—Coast Community College District Trustee, community advocate, and member of the historic Hoa Phat family. Phu shares his family’s harrowing journey leaving Vietnam by boat in 1981, being rescued by the Chinese military at sea, and arriving in Southern California to open Hoa Phat Fabric & Gifts, which became the first licensed Vietnamese money transfer business in California in 1998.Together, Kenneth and Phu discuss the massive economic impact of remittance dollars sent back to Vietnam, the political and cultural shifts among young Vietnamese Americans in Little Saigon, the need for an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission to acknowledge the pain and history of both sides of the war, and Phu's groundbreaking work introducing ethnic studies and community initiatives as a college trustee.Inside the Episode:The Hoa Phat Origin Story: Escaping Vietnam by boat in 1981, Hong Kong UN refugee camps, and building a 42-year legacy business in Little Saigon.The Remittance Economy: Navigating trade embargoes through Air France cargo and growing into a licensed financial institution sending billions to Vietnam.Reconciliation & Truth Commissions: Why healing post-civil war requires bilateral acknowledge of history, pain, and legitimacy from both sides.Shifting Demographics in Little Saigon: How new waves of international students from Vietnam and younger generations are reshaping local perspectives on history and community.Representation in Public Office: Serving as the first Vietnamese trustee on the Coast Community College District Board and expanding Vietnamese American experience curriculum.Connect & Follow:Guest: Phu Nguyen (Coast Community College District Trustee)The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 3 days ago48 min
539 - Why Are Overseas Vietnamese Still Trapped In The Past While Vietnam Moves Forward? - Nam C Kim PT.2
How does inherited trauma drive our deep obsession with history, identity, and cultural preservation?In Part 2 of this conversation, Ken sits down with Columbia University archaeologist Prof. Nam C. Kim to explore the deep psychological and cultural connection between trauma, passion, and heritage.Kenneth and Nam discuss how family displacement during the Cold War and the 1975 refugee exodus shaped their lifelong obsession with archaeology and storytelling. They also break down the anthropology of human conflict—from ancient hand-to-hand combat to modern drone warfare and AI—and contrast the trauma-informed perspective of the overseas diaspora with the forward-looking mindset of youth in modern Vietnam.Inside the Episode:Trauma, Obsession, and Art: How inherited family trauma fuels a lifelong drive for cultural preservation, archaeology, and creative work.The Anthropology of Warfare: Nam’s research on why humans fight, the shift from proximate combat to distant drone/AI technology, and the ancient roots of peacemaking.Diaspora vs. Modern Vietnam: Contrasting the trauma-driven cultural preservation of overseas Vietnamese with the forward-moving mindset of young people in Vietnam today.Cultural Kinship & Belonging: Why humans naturally seek identity and connection through food, traditions, and historical memory.Inside the Phúc Tạp Project: Reflections on Kenneth and Nam's ongoing documentary collaboration documenting the complexities of Vietnamese identity.Connect & Follow:Guest: Prof. Nam C. Kim (Columbia University)The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 4 days ago57 min
538 - Why Did Ancient Vietnamese Warriors Paint Their Teeth BLACK? - Nam C Kim
Why did ancient Vietnamese communities dye their teeth black—and what did it mean about their identity, beauty, and survival?In this episode, Ken reunites with Columbia University archaeologist Prof. Nam C. Kim to explore the history, science, and cultural evolution of tooth blackening (nhuộm răng đen) in ancient and modern Vietnam.Joined by special guest artist and tattoo historian Andy Hori Tran, Kenneth and Nam examine recent archaeological studies analyzing human remains from the 2,000-year-old Đông Sơn culture. They break down the traditional recipes involving iron salts and gallnuts, the hygienic benefits of enamel protection, and how body modifications like tattooing and tooth staining served as boundary markers between ancient indigenous communities and expanding northern empires.Inside the Episode:The Archaeology of Tooth Blackening: Examining recent chemical analysis of 2,000-year-old Đông Sơn human remains and recipes used for permanent staining.The Trưng Sisters Era: Han Dynasty Chinese chronicles describing southern "barbarians" with short hair, tattoos, and blackened teeth.Cultural Purpose & Hygiene: How resin pastes protected teeth from decay while serving as rites of passage, community markers, and human-versus-animal distinctions.Andy Hori Tran on Đông Sơn Art: Decoding the visual motifs on bronze drums, headhunting depictions, boat scenes, and indigenous identity.Why the Practice Vanished: How Western contact, French colonial beauty standards, and modern shifts led to the decline of nhuộm răng đen in the 20th century.Connect & Follow:Guests: Prof. Nam C. Kim (Columbia University) / Andy Hori TranThe Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago1h 3m
536 - How Did A 20-year-old Vietnamese-Canadian Producer Get A Track On A Drake Album? - FrancisGotHeat
How does a young producer from Toronto go from making beats in high school to producing for Drake, Big Sean, Eminem, Zayn, and Nicki Minaj?In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with acclaimed music producer FrancisGotHeat (Francis Nguyen-Tran). Francis shares his journey of growing up in Toronto as the youngest of six children in a musical refugee family, turning down early bad record deals at 17, and producing "4422" for Drake's More Life project.Francis opens up about his recent trips back to Vietnam, stepping into the Vietnamese entertainment industry as an international guest producer on Anh Trai "Say Hi" (Didn't Say Hi), the difference between AI music and human soul, and his long-term mission to help build the next global wave of V-Pop.Inside the Episode:Roots & Refugee Story: Growing up in Canada as the child of Vietnamese refugee parents who loved music but discouraged making it a career.The Toronto Hustle: Entering the Remix Project at 15, meeting industry lawyers, and flying out to LA as a teenager without taking bad early deals.The Making of Drake's "4422": Creating the moody, atmospheric beat in high school and having it picked up three years later for More Life.Reframing Vietnam: Overcoming family fear narratives, experiencing modern Saigon for the first time in 2025, and discovering the local music scene.Guest Producing on Anh Trai "Say Hi": Working with local artists, adapting from hip-hop/R&B to ballads, and experiencing the versatility of Vietnamese talent.The Future of V-Pop: Exploring what it will take for Vietnamese music to cross over internationally, blending traditional tones (cải lương, bolero) with modern production.Connect & Follow:Guest: FrancisGotHeat (@francisgotheat)The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago52 min
535 - Why Is A British Basketball Coach Fluent In Vietnamese? - Rob Newson
How does a basketball coach from the UK move to Saigon and end up speaking fluent Vietnamese?In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with British basketball coach and creator Rob Newson. Arriving in Vietnam in 2011 to coach international school programs, Rob quickly set out to learn the language—a decision that unlocked unique cultural connections and led him to become a pivotal early figure in the launch of the Saigon Heat and the development of the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA).Rob shares his journey from coaching youth programs across Vietnam to navigating the early days of professional basketball in Saigon, meeting his Vietnamese wife, and building projects like the Vietnam Basketball Experience Trip (VBET) to connect international players with local basketball communities.Inside the Episode:The Language Journey: Learning Icelandic first, moving to Saigon in 2011, and building fluency through daily interactions and coaching.The Birth of Professional Basketball: Coaching early youth programs, working with local district teams, and helping launch the Saigon Heat franchise.Coaching & Culture: Bridging communication gaps between foreign imports, local Vietnamese players, and international staff.The Evolution of the VBA: How grassroots academies, proximity to pro players, and social media are growing basketball across Vietnam.Personal Life: Meeting his wife in Saigon, navigating cross-cultural relationships, and staying connected to Vietnam from the UK.Connect & Follow:Instagram: @thay.robThe Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago39 min
534 - Is It Time For Vietnamese-Americans To Finally Drop The War Narrative? - Sean O'Harrow
How can a regional museum bridge global heritage with local diaspora communities?In this episode, Ken visits the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, to sit down with President and CEO Dr. Sean O'Harrow. Born in France, raised in Hawaii, and educated at Harvard, Sean is the son of a prominent American professor of Vietnamese language and a French-Vietnamese mother.Sean shares his personal journey navigating biracial identity—what he playfully calls being a "bánh bao" or "chặp phở" (a unique mix)—and explains how growing up as an outsider inspired his career in art history and museum leadership. Together, Kenneth and Sean discuss moving past war-centered narratives, engaging Little Saigon's Vietnamese-American community, hosting events like the Viet Film Fest, and managing a major cultural institution that serves diverse global heritage.Inside the Episode:A "Chặp Phở" Heritage: Growing up in Hawaii as the child of a Vietnamese language professor father and a French-Vietnamese mother.The Power of Third-Person Perspective: How feeling like a "forever tourist" shaped Sean's objective approach to art, architecture, and academics.Reframing Vietnamese Art & Media: Moving beyond war narratives to showcase contemporary fashion, film, literature, and culinary culture.Leading the Bowers Museum: Building partnerships with community organizations (Viet Film Fest, VALA, Viet Book Fest) and engaging Santa Ana's diverse demographics.The Role of Museums in a Digital Age: Countering AI and virtual spaces with real-world artifacts, history, and community experiences.Connect & Follow:Institution: Bowers Museum (Santa Ana, CA)The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago40 min
533 - Why Are Children Of The Vietnam War Still Searching For Their Roots? - Derek Powell
What does it mean to bridge two distinct cultures forged during a time of war?In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Derek Powell, an Air Force Academy graduate, former corporate executive, and board member of the Amerasian Coalition. Born in Cần Thơ, Vietnam in 1971 to a Vietnamese mother and a Black American Air Force serviceman, Derek shares his journey of growing up in Riverside, California, navigating dual heritages, and returning to Vietnam as an adult to reconnect with his family.Derek opens up about the power of code-switching, the unique experience of attending the Air Force Academy, his emotional reunion with over two dozen family members in Saigon, and the ongoing mission of the Amerasian Coalition to preserve oral histories, support reunification, and build community for children of the Vietnam War.Inside the Episode:Roots in Cần Thơ: Growing up with a Vietnamese mother and Black American Air Force father in military-adjacent Southern California.The Military Journey: Attending the Air Force Academy, navigating identity among minority cadet groups, and mastering code-switching in corporate spaces.Returning to Cần Thơ: Flying to Saigon with Warner Bros. in 2005 and walking into a hotel lobby filled with 30 long-lost family members.The Amerasian Experience: Discussing the spectrum of Amerasian stories, Operation Baby Lift, DNA reunification, and overcoming social stigma.The Amerasian Coalition Mission: Scaling advocacy efforts, archiving oral histories with university research centers, and connecting the global Amerasian diaspora.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 2 weeks ago1h 8m
532 - What If Everything You Learned About Vietnamese National Heroes Is Wrong? - Viet Origins w. John Phan
How did two 1st-century leaders become the ultimate symbol of Vietnamese anti-colonial resistance—and how has their story changed over 2,000 years?In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen reunites with Columbia University professor John D. Phan to launch a new sub-series exploring the origins, myths, and evolution of iconic Vietnamese heroes (anh hùng).Focusing on Hai Bà Trưng (the Trưng Sisters, Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị), John breaks down the three primary textual layers that form their legend: from 1st-century Han Dynasty Chinese chronicles (Hou Han Shu) to the 13th-century Trần Dynasty spirit catalogue (Việt Điện U Linh Tập) and early modern folklore (Lĩnh Nam Chích Quái).Together, Kenneth and John examine how historical narratives are reconstructed by each generation, why medieval Confucian scholars reframed Trưng Trắc as a loyal widow, and how modern nationalist movements transformed the sisters into iconic anti-Chinese freedom fighters.Inside the Episode:Defining the Hero: Etymology of Anh Hùng, gendered historical language, and what makes a figure universally revered across divided communities.The Earliest Written Account: Examining the Han Dynasty records (Hou Han Shu), General Ma Yuan (Mã Viện), and the legal conflicts in 1st-century Giao Chỉ (Zhaozi).The 13th-Century Shift: How the Trần Dynasty compiled Việt Điện U Linh Tập to rally supernatural spirits against invading Mongol forces.Confucian Rewrites vs. Modern Myths: Why medieval editors added the murder of Thi Sách to justify Trưng Trắc’s rebellion through a lens of wifely devotion.Reclaiming the Archive: Why diaspora communities and modern creators must dig beyond basic surface folklore to explore pre-modern Vietnamese religious texts.Connect & Follow:Guest: Prof. John D. Phan (Columbia University)The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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About The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen
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.
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